Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $48,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: RAP-RAP-CULPEPPER

Agency Website: vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Rappahannock‑Rapidan Health District (RRHD) is seeking to hire an Environmental Health Specialist for the Food Safety Program. RRHD is one of 35 health districts within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The district encompasses the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock, serving a population of more than 170,000 residents.

Are you passionate about public health? The Rappahannock‑Rapidan Health District’s Environmental Health team is looking for a dedicated and innovative environmental health professional with significant food safety experience to support both VDH’s and RRHD’s initiatives and mission. RRHD is at the forefront of accomplishing the VDH mission “to protect the health and promote the well‑being of all people of Virginia.” We achieve this through collaboration and strategic partnerships with both state and local community organizations. If you are committed to public health and the environmental health needs of your community, we want to hear from you!

Performs entry‑level environmental health duties as a trainee. Employees in this role are typically new hires participating in formal and on‑the‑job training in one or more program areas, including food sanitation, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection and investigation of general environmental complaints. Work is performed under close supervision with ongoing guidance.

Employees must successfully complete applicable training in the VDH Food Program and must obtain credentials in VDH Standardization in Food within 18 months of hire.

As part of the EHS program, the employee must be able to receive the rabies vaccine.

Upon successful completion of required training and credentialing, employees are advanced to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position.

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
• 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
• Knowledge of Environmental Health Science concepts or work experience directly related to Environmental Health Sciences, including but not limited to food safety, rabies control, aquatic health, hotel sanitation.
• Knowledge of the 2017 or 2022 FDA Food Codes
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and/or Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS)
• Experience in quality assurance, auditing or food safety supervision in the restaurant and/or food service industry
• ANSI Certified Food Protection Manager/Proctor Certification
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

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.

Contact Information

Name: Ramis Ahsan

Phone: 5408357909

Email: ramis.ahsan@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.