Title: Environmental Health Specialist II
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $45,960.00-$66,586
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesapeake/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
What We Offer:
Comprehensive state benefits that include 12 paid holidays and paid leave, health
benefits, life insurance, disability plans, deferred compensation, disability (long-term and
short-term), long-term care, retirement, employee assistance program (EAP), wellness
program, education assistance and more!
More About Us:
We are a part of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH); a state agency that works to
protect and improve the health of people in Virginia. The VDH central office is located in
Richmond, Virginia. Local public health departments are spread throughout the state and
support counties, cities and/or regions in which they reside. The goal of VDH is to become
the Healthiest State in the Nation. We work with the City of Chesapeake to provide public
health services to the Chesapeake community. We are located in the Great Bridge area of
Chesapeake at 748 Battlefield Blvd.
What We Do:
Become part of a dynamic Environmental Health team and play a meaningful role in
protecting and improving the health of the community. The Chesapeake Health
Department is seeking an Environmental Health Specialist Sr. to perform a broad range of
environmental health responsibilities, including conducting inspections and permitting
activities for onsite sewage disposal systems and private wells; performing marina and
public swimming pool inspections; providing public education on onsite sewage systems,
private well maintenance, and general environmental health topics; investigating
communicable disease concerns and general environmental complaints; and conducting
rabies-related investigations and abatement activities.
What You'll Do:
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.
Environmental 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.
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
• Computer software knowledge 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.
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. HHS IG Exclusion List check,
employment reference check, and E-Verify. The selected candidate must complete a
Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment, if applicable (Va.
Code § 2.2-3114). Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks prior to
employment may be required for certain positions.
Contact Information
Name: Natalie Newby
Phone: Please refer to email
Email: CHD_Recruiting@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.