Title: Environmental Health Specialist I

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $45,113.00-$48,756.78

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

**This is a Multi-hire position

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!

What We Do:
Become a part of a dynamic Environmental Health team and make a difference in the community! The Chesapeake Health Department is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist to perform a variety of duties including inspecting permitted facilities such as restaurants, campgrounds, summer camps, hotels and motels, recreational pools, migrant labor camps, body art and massage facilities; performing private well inspections; educating the public on food safety and general environmental health related topics; investigating communicable diseases and general environmental complaints; and rabies investigations and abatement.

What You'll Do:
Program Support-
• In consultation with EH Supervisor/EHS Sr. 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 Sr. 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 Sr. 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.

- 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.

If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

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.

Check out our website to learn more about the Chesapeake Health Department and the services we provide: www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesapeake

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum KSAs:
• 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 30 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

• Computer software knowledge preferred

•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. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the 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!

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.