Title: Environmental Health Technical Specialist
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $66,093. 00- $74.063.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: VIRGINIA BEACH HQ
Agency Website: jobs.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health is seeking an Environmental Health Technical Specialist for the Onsite Sewage and Private Well Programs. This position will serve as the technical leader, mentor and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner. The technical specialist will perform complex environmental health functions, provide consultation and training to onsite EH staff, conduct trainings and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of EH staff.
Candidates with the following license and relevant training are preferred.
- Master Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (DPOR)
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Short Course (Virginia Tech)
Benefits: 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.
This Position is responsible for Program Support, Training & Technical Duties and Duties Standardization.
Program Support
- Manages caseload of assigned area in a professional manner and according to state guidelines
- Conducts inspections, collects required product samples and oversees equipment tests; stays current in responsibilities of assigned program
- Keeps required records in accordance with current regulations and department procedures and policies
- Advises appropriate leadership of issues related to their respective area
- May issue permits and monitor status
- Records results of inspections in data system, describing deficiencies and required corrective action
- Maintains knowledge of state laws and regulations, policies, and procedures
- Responds to and investigates complaints and complex EH functions
Training & Technical Duties
- Organizes and conducts educational presentations to improve awareness of new technology, emerging health concerns, instruction in assigned program(s) and innovative regulatory or educational techniques
- Provides initial and ongoing training to program staff to ensure standardization and consistency in inspections and enforcement
- Participates in meetings and in-service training activities
- Provides technical expertise in assisting with administrative enforcement to include hearings
- Assists, consults, and negotiates compliance in highly complex, sensitive, and urgent technical aspects of the EH program
- Provides a second or expert opinion to staff and/or clients about program areas that provide a special challenge
- Serves as the technical expert and consultant and resource/mentor to staff
- Provides technical expertise in assisting with development and implementation of quality assurance programs; implements and promotes quality assurance by complying with applicable agency standards established by regulation and policy
- Identifies barriers to quality; suggests and implements methods to improve accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness and internal/external customer satisfaction
- Reviews inspections conducted by staff and associated paperwork; provides guidance concerning technical inspection issues, problem and complaint resolution
- Serves as the lead EH staff member during outbreak and illness investigations
Standardization
- Serves as the subject matter expert in assigned program area(s) and is the program expert in a specific environmental program(s), provides initial and ongoing training to EH staff to ensure standardization and consistency in inspections and enforcement
- Ensures staff standardizations are current and maintained
- Provides status report to management on standardization status as requested
Minimum Qualifications
- Considerable knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program(s)
- Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease
- Skill in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies
- Skilled in proper use of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s)
- Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations and policies governing environmental health
- Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Ability to train and mentor program staff
- Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications:
- VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist
Additional Considerations
- Experience related to the area of environmental health specialization
- Prior experience training and mentoring staff preferred
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.
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!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Cydnee Stuckey
Phone: 757-278-6692
Email: cydnee.stuckey@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.