Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,100 - $46,450

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: HENRICO HQ

Agency Website: https://henrico.us/health/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

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.

The Richmond & Henrico County Health Districts (RHHD) are on the forefront of Public Health and Population Health. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. We accomplish this by exposing and addressing the root causes of health disparities and protecting health through disease prevention and monitoring, providing clinical services, nutrition services, environmental health services, vital records, emergency planning, and building health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors. WE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH!

The Henrico Health District is currently seeking an Environmental Health Specialist to work in the Food Safety program. EH Specialists perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months:

VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

Please note that this role requires a valid driver’s license and transportation with mileage reimbursement when a state vehicle is not available for use. This position requires working outdoors and moderately strenuous physical labor during all seasons.

This incumbent will primarily work out of our Henrico Health District office (8600 Dixon Powers Drive) and is required to participate in district events, meetings, emergency operations, etc. Mileage reimbursement is available for any work-related travel. The typical work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. May require work during some weekend and/or evening hours.

Benefits:
This position offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance options, life insurance, retirement plans, disability plans, and more. The Virginia Department of Health also offers paid time off including but not limited to; annual leave, family & personal leave, sick leave, 13 paid holidays, and a host of other leave options.

This recruitment may qualify for exceptional recruitment and incentive options, including a sign on bonus or a leave grant, which may be offered with a 1-year tenure agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs.
• Ability to provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member.
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands.
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area.
• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member.
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector.
• 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

• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate.

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!

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 onetime dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td o r Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

Contact Information

Name: Lakeema Jones

Phone: n/a

Email: Lakeema.Jones@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.