Title: Environmental Health Specialist I

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,192.00-47,108.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What We Offer:
Comprehensive state benefits that include 12 paid holidays and paid leave, health
benefits, life insurance, disability plans, deferred compensation, disability (long-term and
short-term), long-term care, retirement, employee assistance program (EAP), wellness
program, education assistance and more!

More About Us:
We are a part of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH); a state agency that works to
protect and improve the health of people in Virginia. The VDH central office is located in
Richmond, Virginia. Local public health departments are spread throughout the state and
support counties, cities and/or regions in which they reside. The goal of VDH is to become
the Healthiest State in the Nation. We work with the City of Chesapeake to provide public
health services to the Chesapeake community. We are located in the Great Bridge area of
Chesapeake at 748 Battlefield Blvd.

What You'll Do:
Program Support
• In consultation with EH Supervisor/EHS II. assures that all elements of program are
conducted according to VDH regulations, state and local policies
• Implements/promotes quality assurance plans by complying with all applicable agency
standards established by regulation and policy
• In consultation with EHS II. and EH Supervisor, responds to reports using
epidemiological research (interviews, case histories, sample collection), on-site evaluation,
field testing, interpretation of laboratory result

Environmental Health
In consultation with EHS II. may perform the following EH duties:
- Food related field duties, as required, to ensure state and local mandates are met; records, submits and updates establishment profile and risk data; issues permits and monitors permit status; conducts plan reviews for new and existing facilities.
- Protects public health from disease transmission and groundwater pollution associated with raw or partially treated sewage by ensuring the proper location, evaluation, design and construction, and operation and maintenance of Sewage Disposal Systems and Private Wells.
- Prevents human illness and disease transmission from rabies; understands the virus; comprehends and implements the Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control and all other applicable laws, regulations and policies.
- Monitors swimming pools, child and adult care facilities, hotels and motels and migrant
labor camps.
- Documents observations and corrective actions on the appropriate inspection report.
-Conducts EH sanitary inspections upon request.

Environmental Health Complaints
-Conducts general environmental complaint investigations for assigned program area(s) with follow-up enforcement action taken when necessary.
-Responds to environmental complaints to include but not limited to rodents, insects and general environmental concerns.
- Achieves resolution of complaints within reasonable timeframe.

Minimum Qualifications:
-Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics
-Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws
-Skill in communication, both oral and written; ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting
-Experience preparing thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities
-Skill as an educator/trainer of environmental health principles
-Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs
-Ability to analyze information and make recommendations; to receive, understand and perform tasks as instructed by supervisor; to perform physically demanding tasks.
-Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS II.
-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

-Computer software knowledge preferred

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. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. Completion of Statement of Economic Interests will be required upon employment.

Contact Information

Name: Natalie Newby

Phone: please refer to email

Email: CHD_Recruiting@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.