Title: Environmental Health Specialist I

State Role Title: Environmental Health Specialists

Hiring Range: $45,738.72 - $48,756.78

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHESTERFIELD HQ

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The Chesterfield Health District provides public health services to the residents of Chesterfield County, Powhatan County, and the City of Colonial Heights.

The Chesterfield Health District is seeking to fill two Environmental Health Specialist I (EHS I) positions, with one position located in our Powhatan office and one position located in the Chesterfield Health Department. These entry-level trainee positions provide an opportunity for individuals to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform environmental health duties while supporting the Chesterfield Health District's onsite soil program. This position will focus primarily on protecting 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.

Under close supervision and guidance, employees will participate in both formal training and structured on-the-job learning. The selected candidates must successfully complete the applicable Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Soils Program training and obtain one of the following credentials within 18 months of hire:

• DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), or
• DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE).

Upon successful completion of all required training and credentialing requirements, employees will be promoted to the Environmental Health Specialist II position.


The Virginia Department of Health offers 13 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 food safety
• 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 Food program and be able to obtain the VDH Food Standardization credentials within 18 months
• 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
• DPOR COSE or AOSE licensure preferred
• Knowledge of soil classification and description; skilled in analyzing soil; skilled in positioning homesites and wells, skilled in use of soil augers and Munsell color charts
• Knowledge of on-site sewage and private well regulations

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!

Join the Virginia Department of Health’s efforts in becoming the healthiest state in the nation. VDH has the perfect employment opportunity just for you.

Contact Information

Name: Brandi Henderson

Phone: 804-751-4359

Email: brandi.henderson@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.