Environmental Health Specialist Sr.

Title: Environmental Health Specialist Sr.

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $48000 $64010

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:RAPRAPCULPEPER

Agency Website: Type: General Public G

Job Duties

The position will support the environmental health functions of the Food Safety Program within the RappahannockRapidan Health District (RRHD) by ensuring regulatory compliance minimizing public health risks and promoting consistent sciencebased food safety practices across the districts five localities. The EHS Senior plays a vital role in the protection of community health by providing technical leadership and oversight of food establishment inspections plan reviews and complaint investigations; ensuring adherence to the Virginia Food Regulations and applicable FDA Retail Food Program Standards; and mentoring staff in accurate riskbased enforcement. This position also contributes to the districts mission by fostering collaboration with food operators local governments and public partners while supporting education and outreach initiatives that advance food safety awareness and continuous program improvement. This role also provides key support to the districts rabies response program by guiding staff on rabies control protocols coordinating with local animal control officers and ensuring timely followup and reporting of animal exposure incidents.

A. Environmental Health Services

Evaluates food safety at permitted food establishments to verify compliance with applicable local state and federal codes
Enforces implements and maintains knowledge of the rules and regulations governing food establishments
Maintains knowledge and proper implementation of the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Health current policies environmental health program sewage handling disposal regulations and private well regulations
Inspects swimming pools and spas to prevent disease promote safety and ensure compliance
Enforces implements and maintains knowledge of regulations and policies governing hotels/motels campgrounds summer camps swimming pool water quality postings and migrant labor camps
Maintains standardization in accordance with procedures and policies
Implements and promotes quality assurance plans by complying with applicable standards established by regulations and policy
Consults with appropriate personnel on EH exposures/other pertinent matters in compliance with established policies and procedures
Provides key support to the districts rabies response program by guiding staff and the public on rabies control protocols coordinating with local animal control officers and ensuring timely followup and reporting of animal exposure incidents.
Reviews temporary food vendor and coordinator applications. Conducts inspections of food vendors at temporary events as assigned.
Conducts environmental health and safety inspections as requested by Dept. of Education and Dept. of Social Services.
Conducts bed & breakfast inspections as assigned.
Reviews assigned plan reviews for new and regulated establishments conducts courtesy inspections and preopening inspections.

B. Training & Special Project

Develops and maintains technical KSAs needed to perform duties as an Environmental Health Specialist Senior
Works on special projects and other duties as assigned
Participates in public outreach events on behalf of the EH Division
Promotes public health and safety
May provide guidance and/or mentorship to EH Specialists

C. Environmental Health Complaints

Resolves environmental health complaints
Protects the health safety and welfare of the public by investigating evaluating advising and educating based on technical and professional knowledge of public health
Initiates enforcement actions as needed; complaint investigation reports are accurate and thorough
Provides complete documentation of all program activities by accurate and timely use of state Environmental Health database

Minimum Qualifications

Basic knowledge of biology epidemiology chemistry mathematics and statistics

Ability to interpret 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

Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations governing environmental health programs

Ability to analyze information and make 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 VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS Senior

A valid State Drivers License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency

Additional Considerations

N/A

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or rsum is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH requires all HealthCare Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation or evidence of immunity or adequate immunization to the following: hepatitis B measles mumps rubella and varicella; a onetime dose of tetanus diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanusdiphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current years seasonal influenza vaccination. VDH HCP shall be evaluated for and offered at no charge required seasonally appropriate vaccines within 10 business days of initial assignment and annually thereafter per the CDCs recommendations. The HCP shall provide written documentation of immunity (personal immunization record health record or antibody titers). HCP who do not have documentation of their immunization records may be offered at no charge antibody titers (blood tests) to determine their immunity or lack thereof to measles mumps rubella hepatitis B and varicella. In addition health care personnel may also be required to have screening for m. tuberculosis. Some environmental positions may require assessment of rabies immunity status; your job does require assessment of rabies immunity.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check employment reference check and EVerify. Other financial credit driving background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

VDH accepts only online applications. Faxed mailed or emailed 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.

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: .

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!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to positionspecific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Dana McClelland

Phone: 540.347.6400

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths 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). ServiceConnected 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.

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.