Environmental Health Specialist II
Job Announcement
Are you looking for a position that offers you...
Supportive team environment
Dynamic orientation
Opportunity to make a difference by serving those most in need
Work collaboratively with community partners to address public health priorities.
A learning culture
Work life balance.
Then don’t look further and join our amazing team of professionals!
The Fairfax County Health Department is the largest public health department in Virginia, serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds throughout Fairfax County. With more than 100 years of leadership in the public health field, we are committed to protecting, promoting, and improving the health and quality of life for all in our community.
This position works as a part of the Division of Environmental Health and provides administrative assistance and an advanced level of expertise and technical training. Under limited supervision of an Environmental Health Supervisor or Environmental Health Specialist III, conducts inspections, complaint investigations, and surveys to determine compliance with state and local codes and regulations related to campgrounds, food facilities, hotels and motels, massage establishments, on site wastewater treatment systems, special events, summer camps, swimming pools, tattoo shops, and water wells. Conducts surveillance of disease carrying insects and ticks. Participates in environmental health program education and related community outreach activities. Documents inspections and investigation findings; records coded entries in designated database. Attends training courses, educational conferences, and seminars to enhance job proficiency. Attends regular staff meetings as scheduled. Performs other duties as assigned.
Note: Health Department positions are designated as emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. As a public health emergency responder, this position may be reassigned to provide support based on the emergency response service needs. The temporary reassignment may require employees to function in a role outside of the typical job duties. The emergency response may also require employees to work alternative work schedules to include weekend and evenings.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language (e.g. Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese or Vietnamese) to apply to this opportunity.
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Illustrative Duties
- Gathers and records information on complaints, inspections, emergency calls and requests for investigation/evaluations;
- Extracts, inspects, tests and analyzes samples;
- Designs and conducts surveys and studies in assigned specialty area;
- Initiates and follows up on correction of unsanitary/hazardous conditions;
- Enforces County, State and Federal laws, codes and regulations when violations are observed;
- Performs technical analyses and assists in the evaluation of plans and specifications for air pollution control devices, housing construction, property development;
- Issues permits for construction of on-site sewage disposal systems, private water supplies, and operation of public establishments;
- Prepares drafts of official correspondence;
- Provides information and assistance to the public (including property owners, business operators, developers/real estate agents, engineering professionals), other County agencies, and other jurisdictions;
- Prepares summons requests, subpoenas, and case histories;
- Testifies at court hearings.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental health or a bachelor's degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences; plus, one year of experience in environmental health investigations.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license.
- AED - Required within 60 days
- CPR - Required within 60 days
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Health Department experience and knowledge working in a regulatory environment interpreting and/or enforcing codes or regulations.
- Experience in the field of environmental health and inspection programs.
- Working knowledge of personal computers including laptops, word processing, and database management programs.
- Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; and the ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision making. Ability to work in a team environment.
- Possession of one or more of the following:
- Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator License,
- Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator License,
- Standardized Food Environmental Health Specialist,
- Certified Pool Operator Certification, or
- Commercial Pesticide Certified Applicator License.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk, negotiate/traverse sites with unleveled terrain and/or narrow passages; crouch, stoop, kneel, bend, reach, stretch, climb ladders, use test equipment, lift and carry instruments and other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, wear personal protective equipment, and visual acuity is required to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer. Uses hands to grasp, handle or feel. Ability to conduct inspections/investigations in extreme temperature environments. Ability to operate motor vehicle in adverse weather conditions. Must be able to communicate with others verbally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.