Environmental Health Investigator I

Job Description:

Environmental Health Investigator I

Description

The Position

Why Join Contra Costa Health?

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent career opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Environmental Health Investigator I position. The department currently has one (1) vacancy in the Environmental Health Division located in Concord, CA. The incumbent may be required to travel to various locations within Contra Costa County.

Environmental Health Investigators inspect and investigate potentially unsanitary conditions generally covered and enforced under solid waste ordinances. Typical tasks include investigating hazardous property conditions arising from excessive accumulation of garbage, debris, as well as human and animal wastes; interacting effectively with the public and other agencies; preparing brief staff and field investigation reports; and performing related work as required.

In general, Environmental Health is the prevention, preservation, and improvement of environmental factors affecting the health and safety communities. Contra Costa Environmental Health Division's mission is to protect and promote the health of people throughout Contra Costa County through programs for safe food, safe water for drinking and recreation, and the sanitary management of wastes.

We are looking for someone who:

• Can work independently

• Is detail oriented
• Comfortably in handling difficult situations and people
• Comfortably in interpreting and applying laws and regulations
• Can communicate regulatory requirements clearly both in writing and verbally to businesses and the public
• Prepares clear and concise staff and field investigation reports
• Provides and promotes excellence in customer service for both internally and externally

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Investigating and documenting: complaints from the public related to illegal dumping of garbage and tires, illegal discharges to the storm water system, other relevant sections of the county ordinance
• Inspecting and documenting business compliance with waste tire and storm water laws
• The transport of small amounts of waste tires for disposal
• Inspecting food waste generators for compliance with organic waste disposal reduction regulations
• Conducting nuisance abatements as permitted by the county ordinance
• Advising and assisting on matters relating to Environmental Health regulations and code compliance procedures
• Acting as a subject matter expert for aspects of the storm water, solid waste and waste tire program
• Represent Environmental Health on tasks forces that pertain to the storm water, solid waste, and waste tire programs

A few reasons you might love this job:

• A variety of different programs to learn and work in
• Freedom to manage assigned inventory in the way that works best for you
• Relative autonomy to structure a workday around the work that requires completion
• Ability to acknowledge and respect cultural and linguistic differences of the County's diverse population
• Focus on field work outside of an office environment

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• May face difficult situations and people at times
• Documentation requirements of the position require a high level of attention to detail
• Implementation and application of laws and regulations can be difficult at times
• Situations may arise that require pivoting with relatively little notice
• Coordinating multiple tasks in a variety of different programs with tight deadlines for completion

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted throughout the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency, or a high school proficiency certificate.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time or its equivalent experience enforcing codes or ordinances in a public agency.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Multilingual
• Significant experience specifically with code enforcement (e.g. environmental health, build dept., fire dept., code enforcement, etc.)
• Experience writing detailed and often complex compliance and enforcement reports
• Experience communicating clearly and directly with both business owners, the public, and other agencies
• Someone who is self-starter and comfortable working independently
• Ability to readily identify and communicate potential issues to management

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire: Candidates that clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications, will be invited to participate in a behavioral consistency writing exercise. Candidates will be asked to provide written responses to the scenario-based questions designed to elevate candidates core competencies as they relate to the job. Candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These competencies may include but are not limited to: Professional Integrity & Ethics, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Self-Management, and Teamwork. (Weighted 100%)

The Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) during the week of October 31, 2025.

The Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment, as well as a computer or mobile device with a camera.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org . For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1-855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 10/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$69,089.34 - $83,978.52 Annually