County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision, may conduct compliance inspections of food establishments, recreational facilities, water supplies, schools, rental housing, boarding homes, on-site sewage disposal systems; and refuse disposal systems; makes recommendations on enforcement of local and state public health laws and regulations; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Incumbents of positions in this class are not registered Environmental Health Specialists. They learn and perform a wide-range of environmental health duties under close supervision and all work and reports are closely reviewed. After six months to two years of service in this class, incumbents are eligible for the California Department of Health Services certification examination for Registered Environmental Health Specialists. Upon successful completion of required service and acquisition of registration, incumbents of this class may compete for positions in the higher class of Environmental Health Specialist. Supervision is received from a Supervising Environmental Health Specialists who closely reviews all completed inspection reports, records and correspondence. Frequent discussion and consultations on technical and legal matters are held with Senior and Supervising Environmental Health Specialists.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Makes routine inspections of food processing and handling establishments, public housing, recreational facilities, schools, sewage disposal systems, solid waste facilities and other facilities to assess public health hazards and to determine compliance with public health laws and regulations.

2. Interprets provisions of public health laws and regulations, advises on methods of meeting and maintaining sanitary requirements, and attempts to obtain voluntary compliance.

3. Investigates complaints regarding surfacing sewage, waste disposal, animal bites, insect problems, and alleged illnesses; and obtains facts, evidence, and samples needed in determining abatement and control requirements.

4. Learn to review plans of proposed onsite sewage disposal systems recreational facilities and food establishments to ensure compliance with applicable standards.

5. Inspects public housing and private residences to evaluate sanitary condition of building, plumbing, lavatory facilities, lighting, ventilation, vermin infestations and water supply.

6. Keeps records, prepares reports of daily inspections and violations, and prepares correspondence and special reports relating to the work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Appointees to this position must become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within two years. The Environmental Health Specialist Trainee class is intended to provide the required work experience in an approved environmental health program, which must be completed prior to taking the Environmental Health Specialist Registration Examination. The educational requirements as set forth in Title 520 of the California Code of Regulations must be met prior to being accepted as a trainee. (The educational requirement includes: a minimum of a Bachelor's degree which must of have included 30 semester units of basic sciences, from an accredited college or university.)

NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of an evaluation letter from the State of California, Department of Health Services, which states that the educational requirements for acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee have been met. Contact the State of California, Department of Health Services Drinking Water and Environmental Management, Environmental Health Specialist Registration Program, P.O. Box 942732, MS 7404, Sacramento, CA. 94234-7320, (916) 552-9991. Allow the State of California at least four weeks from receipt of all documentation to complete the evaluation.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• General aspects of environmental sanitation, including food supply, water supply, sewage disposal, refuse disposal, housing, recreational, institutional, industrial sanitation and vector control.
• General practices relating to sanitary food production, processing, and handling.
• General inspection and enforcement techniques.

Ability to:
• Learn to interpret applicable rules, regulations and laws.
• Establish effective working relationships with others.
• Write and speak effectively.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

5/23/74
Updated: 9/3/86
LB:pb Revised: 5/11/88
LB:pb Retitled: 12/7/88
Old doc: 0504h
New doc: 5660.doc
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 1/4/89
CC:pf Rev. 1/6/04
CSC Date: 5/12/04

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.