Title: Environmental Health Associate (VDHRN077)

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $32,843 - $40,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: ROANOKE HQ

Agency Website: https://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 Department as an Environmental Health Associate at the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District.

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.

Job Duties:
As an EH paraprofessional, performs EH support work of moderate difficulty, requiring some independent judgment and knowledge of EH laws and regulations. Responsibilities include multiple tasks which collectively dominate the position's work such as: (1) Drafts schematic drawings for water, well and septic system construction permits; takes field notes or EH Specialist (EHS) field notes and information from plat and application; develops schematic for the permit package using CAD software. (2) Completes various permit/certificate packages for EHS review and signature. (3) Explains permit or certification requirements to others. (4) Performs on-site monitoring of completed wells in uncomplicated situations; determines compliance of well location within permitted area and compliance with well constructions techniques; reporting results to EHS. (5) Monitors sites and collects soil and water samples in support of the sewage, swimming pool and marina programs. (6) Performs routine investigations of animal bites, monitors confined animals to observe conditions, removes animal heads for rabies examination and packages for transport (7) Transports rabies, soils and food specimens/samples. (8) Performs other routine environmental investigations of low technical complexity in response to public health complaints such as: verifying excessive grass height, observing open trash, confirming the ongoing presence of standing water, etc.

1. Rabies Prevention and General Environmental Field Surveillance
•Investigates assigned animal bites within established timeline
•Collects, prepares and ships samples for lab analysis according to protocols
•Uses good judgment in managing time and resources to carry out these programs
•Maintains good communication with local officials and vets
•Investigates assigned complaints and records findings
2. Marina and Technical Environmental Services Inspections
•All marinas, other places where boats are moored and boating access facilities shall receive one or more inspections per year of the sewerage facilities, sewage systems and treatment works to ensure compliance with the Marina Regulations
•All campgrounds, seasonal lodging and tourist establishments shall be inspected as required by pertinent regulation to ensure compliance with the Campground, Swimming Pool, Hotel, Summer Camp, or Migrant Labor Camp regulations
3. Onsite Sewage and Water Program
•Assists implementation of the onsite sewage and water program through water well construction inspection, review and filing of onsite sewage system operation and maintenance reports and assisting the public through review of submitted permit applications for completeness
•With appropriate training, evaluates sites for private water wells and assists with permit drafting; reports results to EHS
4. Documentation/Records and Other Duties
•Provides complete documentation of all program activities by accurate and timely use of state environmental database which may include CAD drafting/permit design; standardized forms, policy and procedure manuals, maintaining complete case records and preparing detailed correspondences
•Oversees hard-copy files, transmits and receives phone calls and schedules daily work
•Ensures timely response to public inquiry
• May be required to perform other duties; may include functions in support of an emergency declaration

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

•Skills in composition of reports, data entry and effective communication
•Proficient in basic computer software programs
•Ability to conduct inspections and investigations in all areas of environmental health, to work outdoors and perform moderately strenuous physical labor during all seasons
•Skills in problem solving essential
•Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds
• 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 support

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: 540-283-5083

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.