About the job Environmental Health Specialist I-III (COR)
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Conduct specialized, technical field inspections and investigations to determine compliance with relevant environmental health laws and regulations.
Gather or lead in the gathering of evidence of violations and non-compliance with environmental health laws and regulations. Prepare inspection reports, legal notices, citations, notices of violations, and other investigative reports for the enforcement of environmental health laws and regulations.
Issue official notices of corrective action and abatement; make follow-up investigations to ensure compliance. Act as a department liaison with various state, federal, and local agencies and partners. May serve in a lead capacity and provide assistance and technical guidance to entry or intermediate Environmental Health Specialists. Attend training sessions and participate in the development and implementation of staff training programs. Prepare reports and evidence for presentation at Administrative Hearings and to present cases to the court on behalf of the County.
DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
In addition to the general essential duties listed above: Conduct regulatory inspections and investigations of retail food facilities, public pools and spas, mobile home parks, organized camps, tobacco retailers, and related facilities as required.
Review and investigate public complaints of foodborne illness, recreational water illness, unpermitted food sales, drownings, mobile home parks, tobacco, and household trash and sewage issues.
Collect food, water and/or sewage, and related samples for laboratory analysis.
Instruct facility operators on health and safety methods and principles. Apply enforcement techniques as needed to gain compliance.
Coordinate with other agencies to facilitate compliance on investigations as listed above.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
In addition to the general essential duties listed above: Conduct moderate to complex inspections and investigations of all types of hazardous waste and hazardous materials facilities including underground storage tank systems to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to waste storage, treatment, handling, transportation, disposal, and record-keeping. Perform hazardous materials mitigation or categorization evaluations in the field. Oversee the mitigation of hazardous substance releases during emergency or disaster situations under the authority of the Public Health Officer; assist in field supervision of hazardous waste clean-up operations. Handle detection and safety equipment and ensure that sufficient inventories of up-to-date equipment are available for use/deployment on a regular basis, and in the event of emergency responses. Prepare and maintain records of inspections and investigations. Make joint inspections with federal, state, and local agencies as required. May participate as part of the County Hazardous Materials 24-hour Emergency Response Team.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, which included coursework that enables the applicant to meet the Registered Environmental Health Specialist minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid Letter of Eligibility issued by the California Department of Public Health certifying qualification as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee. The letter must be issued within the last 30 months to be considered valid.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, which included coursework that enables the applicant to meet the Registered Environmental Health Specialist minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in courses that enables the applicant to meet the minimum educational standards prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to an Environmental Health Specialist II with the County of Riverside.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Public Health.
ALL LEVELS:
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License
Physical Requirements: Independent body mobility to stand, climb stairs and ladders, walk on uneven ground or wet, slippery floors at construction sites, retail food, public pools, mobile home parks, composting facilities, landfills and large excavated areas, manufacturing plants, and hazardous materials handling/storing facilities; upper body strength to reach and move items from high shelves; manual dexterity to hand-write and use personal computers; corrected vision to read standard text, labels, color change indication test papers, monitoring equipment display screens, and computer screens.
Additional Physical Requirements for incumbents assigned to the Hazardous Materials Program: Strength to move 55-gallon drums of materials (with drum dolly); strength to lift and carry tools or personal protection and test equipment up to 25 pounds in weight; physical capability to wear personal protective equipment including Level A, B, C and D suits and cartridge respirator; ability to lift materials weighing up to 70 pounds.
Environmental Requirements: Will be required to work in an office and all types of field environments, be exposed to inclement weather conditions, and enter and perform work in establishments which may have nudity, sexually explicit pictures and literature; come in contact with materials/wastes including odors and fumes from various industrial processes, cleaning solvents, chlorine, and insecticides; ability to tolerate very hot and cold temperatures, walk or stand for extended periods of time with no rest, walk over rough terrain, work at heights higher than 10 feet, and bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time; ability to use stomach and lower back to support the body when lifting.
Knowledge of: The principles of physical, biological, chemical, and social sciences used in environmental health and safety; functions and operations of related governmental agencies and community organizations; state and local laws and regulations governing environmental health and public health; penal code provisions relating to public health nuisances; methods and techniques of investigating, inspecting, and obtaining compliance where corrections are necessary; environmental research and statistical methods; principles and practices of environmental health and safety; principles of environmental planning and management.
Ability to: Analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relationships; communicate clearly both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise reports; plan, organize and carry out research, analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations based on findings; detect public health hazards and conditions which violate public health and safety laws, ordinances and regulations and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance or legal enforcement; instruct in the methods and procedures of environmental health and safety inspections and correction of violative conditions; interpret public health needs and goals to others; use a personal computer and software programs.