Title: Environmental Health Tech Specialist- Grade A Milk Program

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $56,135 - $76.655.21

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: RICHMOND-HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Serves as environmental health technical leader, mentor and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner for the agency in one or more EH programs such as food safety, onsite soils evaluation, and grade A milk. Performs complex environmental health functions, provides consultation and training to staff, assists in conducting training and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of staff. Must complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.

This recruitment may qualify for exceptional recruitment and incentive options, including a sign-on bonus or a leave grant, which may be offered with a 1-year tenure agreement.

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

1. Considerable experience/knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program area(s): Grade “A” Milk Program: Code of Virginia §3.2-5208 and Food Inspection Program: Code of Virginia §35.1-14.
2. Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease.
3. Professional experience in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies.
4. Experience in proper utilization of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s).
5. Professional experience in interpreting, applying, and enforcing laws, regulations and policies governing environmental health.
6. Experience in explaining and interpreting detailed and complex rules and regulations, in a professional manner.
7. Proven, professional, and effective communication skills; both verbally and in writing.
8. Experience training and mentoring professional staff.
9. Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications:
oVDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer.
oVDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO).
oVDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.

Additional Considerations

1. Experience related to the area of environmental health specialization.
2. Prior experience training and mentoring professional staff 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.

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: Jay West

Phone: N/A

Email: Jay.West@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.