Title: Environmental Health Hearings Legal Officer

State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr III

Hiring Range: $123,480 - $148,175

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Dept of Health

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS) is seeking a qualified candidate to support its appeal, compliance, and enforcement programs. The successful candidate will help ensure that violations of applicable regulations are addressed in a timely, consistent, and appropriate manner. To include: Sewage Handling and Disposal; Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems; Private Well; Alternative Discharge; Rainwater Harvesting; Fees for Onsite Sewage Systems and Private Wells; Schedule of Civil Penalties; Marina; Food; Hotel; Migrant Labor Camp; Summer Camps; Campgrounds; Swimming Pools; Rules and Regulations Governing the Sanitary Control of Oysters, Clams and other Shellfish; Sanitary Control of the Picking, Packing and Marketing of Crab Meat for Human Consumption; and for the Bedding and Upholstery Program. Is adjudication officer for enforcement actions; chairs information meetings; chairs public hearings in the promulgation of regulations; handles Indemnification Claim appeals before the Sewage Handling and Disposal Appeal Review Board; provides assistance to owners of a failed system in seeking redress from the system's builder; and handles enforcement of marina violations. Trainer for district directors and environmental health staff in legal matters advising them on interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies and procedures; negotiating settlements and achieving compliance through enforcement. Promulgates regulations for the OEHS in coordination with individual division directors and office director. Represents the Office Director during General Assembly Sessions, if needed.

This position works across all Division within the Office of Environmental Health Services and with local health departments to ensure environmental health regulations are implemented and enforced properly. This position also provides input on necessary regulatory revisions, and assist in legislative actions to enhance and improve environmental health programs.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Knowledge of all regulations of the Office of Environmental Health
Services as they relate to the appeal process, enforcement,
compliance vs. non-compliance.
2. Knowledge of the Administrative Process Act and State law as it
relates to OEHS programs and regulations and to criminal and civil
actions.
3. Knowledge of principles associated with environmental health
standards and principles of supervision.
4. Ability to address/conduct public meetings; speak/write in English and
work with the public.
5. Considerable experience in compliance achievement or environmental
health is recommended.
6. Demonstrated ability to interpret local, state and federal law, case law
and policies affecting clients and/or programs statewide.

Additional Considerations

1. Formal legal or paralegal education/training.

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: Isis Romero

Phone: (804) 864-7000

Email: Isis.Romero@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.