Title: Environmental Health Specialist I or II

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $46,000 - $69,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHICKAHOMINY-GOOCHLAND

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Salary: EHS I Hiring Range $46,000 - $50,000
EHS II Hiring Range $47,000 - $69,000

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 Chickahominy Health Districts Goochland Office is now accepting applications for the position of Environmental Health Specialist I/II in the onsite program. The position is located at the Goochland Health Department and requires travel throughout the county/region and, at times, the district, to conduct business. A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Mileage will be reimbursed per the standard mileage rate.

To qualify for the EHS I position, the applicant must be able to perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. EHS I employees receive close supervision and guidance.

The selected individual Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils 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. EHS I employees are then moved to the EHS II position upon successful completion.

To qualify for the EHS II position, the applicant must perform environmental health duties independently at the journey level in areas such as on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator to qualify as EHS Senior.

A hiring incentive such as leave or a bonus may be considered for qualified candidates.

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

To qualify for the EHS I position, the applicant must meet all below-mentioned minimum qualifications:
• Experience communicating effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Experience providing 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
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils 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

To qualify for the EHS II position, the applicant must meet the above-mentioned minimum qualifications for an EHS I in addition to the below listed minimum qualifications for an EHS II:
• Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics
• Experience interpreting 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
• Experience interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations governing environmental health programs
• Experience analyzing information and making 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, to qualify as EHS Senior

Additional Considerations

Additional Considerations for EHS I:
• 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: Chickahominy HR

Phone: --

Email: --

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.