Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $46,278

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CENT SHEN-ROCKNGHM/HARRIS

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Performs 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 abatements, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees received close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months; VDH Standardized in Food, CPOR 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.

The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is seeking a highly motivated Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) to join our team of professionals committed to providing support of Public Health services. The Food Program position is based out of the Staunton-Augusta Health Department with some travel throughout CSHD.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
Time management skills necessary in order 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 NNSSP) 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 Heath 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.

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 Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
VDH accepts only online 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.


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 original; 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 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: Angie Mueller

Phone: 540-332-7830

Email: angie.mueller@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.