Supervising Environmental Health Specialist

Job Description:

Supervising Environmental Health Specialist

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Supervising Environmental Health Specialist

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Supervising Environmental Health Specialist vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

The Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections, and a used oil recycling education program.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Environmental Health currently has five (5) immediate vacancies: One (1) in the Food and Pool Safety Program, three (3) in Plan Check and (1) in Administration

The Supervising Environmental Health Specialist (SEHS) in the Food & Pool Safety Program (FPS) is responsible for retail and wholesale food inspections, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, hotel/motel inspections, and childhood lead exposure prevention. The incumbent supervises and trains subordinate staff in the performance of technical and specialized work related to inspection, investigation, and enforcement duties. The incumbent shares the Supervisor on Duty (SOD) responsibilities, which include conducting after-hours site visits at emergency incidents (e.g., grease fires, pool drownings, and request for reinstatements of public health permits).

The SEHS in the Plan Check Section is responsible for supervising Plan Check operations for the FPS Programs. The Plan Check Supervisor supports the FPS Program Managers in ensuring construction plan checks for restaurants, pools, and spas are reviewed within the State mandated time frame of 20 days and in accordance with all State Health and Safety codes. The Plan Check Supervisor monitors the work of up to seven (7) Plan Checkers (Environmental Health Specialist II & III) and up to one (1) Environmental Health (EH) Technician. The Plan Check Supervisor also generates statistical plan check data, reviews paperwork turned in by plan checkers and the EH Technician and may serve on regional State Food Facility and Pool Plan Check Technical Advisory Committees. The Plan Check Supervisor is responsible for keeping up to date on all State and Federal regulatory changes that affect Plan Check operations. The incumbent shares the Supervisor on Duty (SOD) responsibilities, which include conducting after-hours site visits at emergency incidents (e.g., grease fires, pool drownings, and request for reinstatements of public health permits).

The SEHS in the Division Support Section is responsible for supervising positions that specialize in projects and tasks that have a division wide scope including the EH Training program, and reviews and assesses performance and productivity of staff working in those capacities. The position provides supervisory oversight to incoming Assistant Environmental Health Specialists and works with the FPS managers to implement training goals and operational updates and improvements. This position communicates Division and Agency goals to the Training program, while communicating project status and providing results to EH Administration. This position reports to the Division Support Program Manager, yet works closely with other Program Managers, Assistant Director, and the Director of Environmental Health on an ongoing basis and in conjunction with the needs of the Division.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:

Professional & Technical Expertise | Legal & Regulatory Navigation

• Ensuring Health and Safety Code, Code of Regulations, ordinances, inspection mandates, and program goals are met
• Tracking environmental Federal and State laws and regulations that may impact program implementation
• Applying analytical skills and consistency for accuracy purposes
• Reporting, investigating, and reviewing lab results relating to Environmental Health programs
• Performing the most difficult inspections, compliance, and program enforcement work
• Developing new programs and completing challenging or detailed assignments such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Staying apprised of new opportunities, techniques, and approaches
• Proficiency using a variety of computer software programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, and internal agency database

Leadership | Coaching & Developing Others

• Accompanying staff in the field to ensure conformity to Division standards
• Assisting staff with developing workflows, procedures, redistricting, and solving inspection issues
• Providing a supportive team environment and maintaining positive working relationships within their team
• Supervising various levels of program, clinical and support staff as well as partnering with Human Resource Services on staff management issues
• Training, developing, delegating assignments, evaluating staff performance, team building, and setting team objectives and standards with minimal direction and control
• Utilizing County Policies and Procedures, Memorandum of Understanding, and Health Care Agency Code of Conduct to complete staff performance reviews, Performance Incentive Plans, and recruiting responsibilities
• Clarifying performance expectations (e.g. roles, responsibilities, standards, and goals) and coaching and training staff
• Developing strategies (e.g. training, learning opportunities, key experiences) to fit individual, team, and organizational needs
• Exemplifying a role as an approachable "educator" as opposed to a traditional "regulator"

Critical Thinking | Decision Making

• Multi-tasking several assignments
• Effectively prioritizing projects and assignments

Building & Maintaining Relationships

• Planning and coordinating investigations with internal and external departments, divisions, or organizations
• Collaborating and working well with others, specifically working with private industries in a team-like setting
• Training, planning, educating, coordinating, and initiating actions necessary to implement recommendations or decisions with public, staff, local and state agencies, and businesses as it relates to Environmental Health programs

Writing | Oral Communication

• Strong verbal communication skills for public speaking, group discussions, and individual interviews
• Strong written communication skills that effectively conveys concepts or conclusions when preparing policies, ordinances, or guidelines and/or reports
• Excellent communication skills in articulating issues, solutions, and experience in public speaking
• Active listening skills and understanding what is being communicated by subordinate staff, public, and managerial staff
• Reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing data in writing in terms of trends or general indications of possible problem areas

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications, physical, mental and environmental conditions for the Supervising Environmental Health Specialist classification.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Laura Katsis at (714) 834-6724 or lkatsis@ochca.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$88,587.20 - $119,392.00 Annually