Environmental Health Specialist Food EHS

Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title:Environmental Health Specialists

Hiring Range: $45114.00 - $47096.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:RAPPAHANNOCK-FREDERICKSBURG

Agency Website: Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Performs 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 classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE) DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

Position Overview:
This is an entry-level trainee role designed for individuals beginning their careers in environmental health. Employees receive both formal and on-the-job training in areas such as:

Food sanitation inspections
Sanitary inspections
Swimming pool inspections
Rabies abatement and response support (including office-based case assistance after training)
Communicable disease investigations
Plan reviews for new construction and remodels of VDH-regulated facilities
Investigation of general environmental health complaints
Administrative and customer service support (answering phones assisting walk-in customers taking payments and writing receipts)
Participation in community outreach and community events
Occasional weekend work will be required to support temporary food establishments and special events
Providing coverage or assistance for additional duties across Environmental Health and other district programs as operational needs arise with appropriate training and supervision provided

Staff will receive appropriate training for all assigned duties with work performed under close supervision and continuous guidance and mentorship.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays medical dental vision and life insurance retirement plans (including 401 (a) Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick family/personal and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
Ability to provide 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
Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management provide 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
Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 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 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

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.

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 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: .
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 position-specific 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: Michelle McKinney

Phone:

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). 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 .

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.