Title: Environmental Specialist Sr - Public Water Systems
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $51,401-$60,952
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: DRINKING WATER-LEXINGTON
Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The availability of funding is scheduled for review June 30, 2026 and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Drinking Water (ODW), is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist, Senior to join the Lexington Field Office team! This position is located in Lexington and will assist in ensuring safe drinking water for citizens in the Lexington Field Office service area. If you like a more rural setting, the Lexington area has it all! The primary responsibility for this position is to provide oversight for groundwater waterworks in an assigned geographic area within the Lexington Field Office. Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required to provide safe drinking water regulations. These functions are initiated and monitored by the inspectors assigned to various regions, and are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations.
Join a team of professionals committed to protecting public health associated with treatment and delivery of drinking water to the citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math.
2. Knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water.
3. Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings.
4. Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities.
5. Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance.
6. Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents.
Additional Considerations
1. Experience in the provision of drinking water and related activities in the areas of enforcement and compliance.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Contact Information
Name: Jay West
Phone: N/A
Email: Jay.West@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.