Environmental Health Specialist I/II/III - Community Services

Job Description:

Environmental Health Specialist I/II/III - Community Services

Description

Description

WHAT WE OFFER

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the salary of approximately $58,326.66 to $100,311.04 annually an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Merit Increases - New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual Incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
• Sick Leave - Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Annual Leave Redemption -After 14,560 hours of continuous County service (equivalent to seven (7) years) an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans - Full time regular employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans: Tier one for employee only is $509 per pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $779 per pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $983 per pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined benefit plan.
• Holidays -12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

VENTURA COUNTY

The County's 1,873 square miles include 1,846 square miles of land with 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Ventura County is a “general law” county, governed by a five-member, elected-by-district Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors appoint a County Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee the County budget, day-to-day operations, and to advise, assist, and act as an agent for the Board of Supervisors in all matters under the Board’s jurisdiction. It focuses on serving its residents by promoting engagement, strategy, execution and accountability to include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and without discrimination, and to improve culturally appropriate outcomes for community members.

THE AGENCY

The primary goal of the Resource Management Agency (RMA) is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public through administration and enforcement of County ordinances, Board policy, and state and federal laws regarding land use, and commercial and environmental regulation. RMA includes five divisions: Environmental Health, Planning, Building &Safety, Code Compliance, and Operations/GIS.

RMA recognizes the value of having a diverse and inclusive workforce at all levels of our agency to best serve our clients and be representative of the community we serve and is committed to being an active participant in removing barriers to ensure equitable access and opportunities for success. The agency is dedicated to attracting, hiring, developing, retaining and valuing quality employees fully empowered to protect everyone’s health, safety, and the environment, and committed to providing excellent customer service through the efficient, accurate, and consistent application of laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies.

THE DIVISION

The key responsibility of the Environmental Health Division is to protect public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to the following programs: food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks, and vector control.

THE POSITION:

Under immediate supervision (I), general supervision (II), direction (III), to general direction (IV), performs progressively complex professional environmental health activities involving investigation, inspection, data collection and analysis, enforcement action, report preparation and public contact; assists in environmental health program administration; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

There are four levels (I - IV) in the Environmental Health Specialist series. Each level performs increasingly responsible public contact; interaction with public and private entities; conflict resolution; and a wider range of environmental health projects at a higher level of complexity (i.e., understanding concepts relating to environmental, biological, water, wastewater, etc.). Those at the Environmental Health Specialist IV level may act as project team leaders and program coordinators. Each succeeding step in the job series is expected to function at a higher level of individual initiative, creativity, self-direction, and independent judgment.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES:

Environmental Health Specialist I: $28.04 - $39.24 (hourly)

Environmental Health Specialist II: $2,520 - $3,460.04 (biweekly)

Environmental Health Specialist III: $2,750.06 - $3,858.12 (biweekly)

Environmental Health Specialist I is represented by the Services Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

Environmental Health Specialist II/III are represented by the Services Employees' International Union (SEIU) and are not eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 3/21/2025

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: On or around 4/10/2025. Subsequent reviews will be conducted until closing date.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs inspections of various facilities and properties, including food facilities, public pools and community events to determine conformance with applicable State laws and County Ordinance Code sections.
• Prepares written reports related to food and pool facilities and makes recommendations for completion of environmental health projects.
• Researches, compiles, synthesizes, analyzes and interprets information and data necessary to meet environmental health objectives.
• Coordinates environmental health projects, defines problems and alternative solutions, and sets objectives.
• Provides general information to the public in response to questions about projects, environmental health programs, applicable ordinances, policies and procedures related to the community services, including food facilities, public pools and community events.
• Makes oral presentations to public groups and governmental bodies to provide food safety training and explain and clarify environmental health reports and recommendations.
• Coordinates and/or negotiates with other individuals, developers, groups, sections, divisions, departments and agencies on various technical or legal aspects of environmental programs, some of which may be controversial or politically sensitive.
• Conducts field investigations and complaint investigations of various sites in order to have first-hand knowledge of the location under study.
• May participate in enforcement activities which include civil or criminal cases and may involve issuance of citations, report writing, collection of evidence and court appearances.
• Performs other duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I:

Some experience in environmental health which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities can be obtained by the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Science OR a related field degree in Environmental Science and one of the following:

• Proof of eligibility letter (ONLY Options IV, or V), as determined by the California Department of Public Health, to take the state license examination for a Registered Environmental Health Specialist
• Proof of a bachelor’s degree in environmental health from a program approved by the California Department of Public Health with the ability to obtain a letter of eligibility to take the required state license examination prior to appointment (ONLY Options IV or V accepted). The following is a list of programs approved by the California Department of Public Health:

California State University, Fresno. California State University, FullertonCalifornia State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, San BernardinoSan Diego State University-Graduate School of Public Health.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II:

Some experience in environmental health which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities can be obtained by the completion of a bachelor’s degree in environmental health science or a related field and one (1) or more years of progressively responsible environmental health experience AND possession of the Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) in California.

Substitution: A Master's degree in environmental health science or a related field.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III:

Considerable experience in environmental health which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities. The required knowledge and abilities can be obtained by the completion of a Bachelor degree in environmental health science or a related field and three (3) or more years of progressively responsible environmental health experience AND possession of the Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) in California.

Substitution: A Master's degree in environmental health science or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to obtain at time of appointment and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Candidates appointed as an Environmental Health Specialist I level in Community Services positions are REQUIRED to show proof of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist prior to completion of the probationary period.
• Depending on assignment, must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout Ventura County all year long may be required.

DESIRED

• Some experience in the Environmental Health field conducting inspections of retail food facilities, public swimming pools, or temporary food facilities, along with enforcement of state laws in these facilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed in an office environment and in the field and may require occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and moderate physical demands while making inspections.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Some to comprehensive (depending on level in series) knowledge of:

• Chemistry, microbiology, foodborne illness pathogens and environmental health science.
• State, federal, local laws and regulations relating to environmental health programs, such as the Retail Food Code and the Pool Code.
• Interagency relationships.

Working to thorough (depending on level in series) knowledge of:

• Environmental research and statistical methods.
• Field tests and analytical procedures within environmental health program areas.

Working ability to:

• Perform inspections of various facilities and properties, including food facilities, public pools and community events by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data at public sites within program areas.
• Solve problems at increasingly complex levels and formulate recommendations. Speak and write technical reports clearly and concisely.
• Make oral presentations to public groups.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

FIRST REVIEW: A first review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around April 10, 2025, and subsequent reviews may be conducted until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or “civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here(Download PDF reader) for additional information.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or ranked according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%

A job-related Oral Examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent(70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent and Extra Help vacancies for this and similar positions within the Resource Management Agency. There are currently two (2) regular vacancies within the Environmental Health Division - Community Services

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Magali Rodriguez by e-mail at Magali.Rodriguez@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-3805.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$58,326.66 - $100,311.04 Annually