Title: Environmental Health Spec. II (VDH02605)
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $50,458 to $65,827
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: ROANOKE HQ
Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. This is your opportunity to serve the public in the Environmental Health Program at the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District.
Job Description:
Performs environmental health duties independently at the journey level in areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Training includes completion of the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program, whichever is applicable. Must have and maintain credentials in one of the following: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector.
Job Duties:
Environmental Health Services
May perform the following EH duties:
• Evaluates food safety at permitted food establishments to verify compliance with applicable local, state and federal codes
• Enforces, implements and maintains knowledge of the rules and regulations governing food establishments
• Maintains knowledge and proper implementation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Board of Health, current policies, environmental health program, sewage handling, disposal regulations and private well regulations
• Inspects swimming pools and spas to prevent disease, promote safety and ensure compliance
• Enforces, implements and maintains knowledge of regulations and policies governing hotels/motels, campgrounds, summer camps, swimming pool water quality postings and migrant labor camps
• Maintains standardization in accordance with procedures and policies
• Implements and promotes quality assurance plans by complying with applicable standards established by regulations and policy
• Consults with appropriate personnel on EH exposures/other pertinent matters in compliance with established policies and procedures
Training & Special Projects
• Develops and maintains technical KSA’s needed to perform duties as an Environmental Health Specialist Senior
• Works on special projects and other duties as assigned
• Participates in public outreach events on behalf of the EH Division
• Promotes public health and safety
• May provide guidance and/or mentorship to EH Specialists
Env Health Complaints
• Resolves environmental health complaints
• Protects the health, safety and welfare of the public by investigating, evaluating, advising and educating based on technical and professional knowledge of public health
• Initiates enforcement actions as needed; complaint investigation reports are accurate and thorough
• Provides complete documentation of all program activities by accurate and timely use of state Environmental Health database
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts.
Who We Are: The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) are two health districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Virginia Department of Health and employ approximately 140 staff. RCAHD encompasses the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem and the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke.
What We Do: RCAHD, which provides services from nine office locations, serves a combined population of over 278,400 people throughout both rural and urban environments and works to promote and encourage healthy behavior, protect the public against environmental hazards, prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, respond to disasters, assist communities in recovery and assure the quality and accessibility of health services for all members of the communities.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 13 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.
VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.
Minimum Qualifications
• Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics
• Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws
• Skill in communication, both oral and written; ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting
• Experience preparing thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities
• Skill as an educator/trainer of environmental health principles
• Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs
• Ability to analyze information and make recommendations; to receive, understand and perform tasks as instructed by supervisor; to perform physically demanding tasks
• Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS Senior
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency
Additional Considerations
N/A
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: Darlene Smith
Phone: N/A
Email: darlene.smith@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.