DIVISION DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (#TK8 )

$59.30-$79.24 hourly / $10,278.00-$13,735.00 monthly / $123,344.00-$164,819.20 yearly

Under general direction, to plan, organize, coordinate and direct one of the two sections of the comprehensive Environmental Health program in the Health Services Agency for Santa Cruz County; and to do other work as required; may act as the Director of Environmental Health in their absence.

This is a single position classification; in cases where the Director of Environmental Health position remains vacant for an extended period of time, the department may request a second position until the Director of Environmental Health position is filled. Incumbents in this classification manage a separate and distinct program division within the Environmental Health Program.  One Division manages environmental health programs, including but not limited to Consumer Protection, Hazardous Materials, Housing and Administrative Support programs. The other Division focuses on water resources, including but not limited to Watershed Management, Land Use, Septic System Management, Groundwater Management, and Water Resource Protection programs.  Division Directors are principally responsible for supervision of incumbents in all classifications that are used in the assigned Environmental Health Division and provide back up for the other Division Director as needed.  Incumbents in this classification report to the Director of Environmental Health or the Chief of Public Health as directed.     

This classification is distinguished from the Director of Environmental Health in that the latter reports directly to the Health Services Agency Director and has overall management responsibility for the policy direction and administration of the entire Environmental Health Program as opposed to day-to-day operational responsibility for one division of the program.  This class is further distinguished from the higher class of Director of Environmental Health by its narrower span of control, fewer subordinate staff and the more specialized nature of the group of programs for which it is responsible.

Plans, organizes and directs, in coordination with the Director of Environmental Health, either the County water resource management and land use activities or the consumer protection, hazardous materials, housing and administrative support activities; supervises, trains and evaluates subordinate managers and staff; oversees the assessment of current community needs, anticipates future community requirements, and assures that the assigned environmental health programs meet current and anticipated community requirements; oversees the design and development of new environmental health programs,  including the development of ordinances, policies and procedures, staffing, and education and outreach activities; acts as an internal consultant and advisor to staff for environmental health and management issues; assists in the preparation of the annual budget and monitors expenditures and revenues; develops grant applications, fees, ordinances and contracts; keeps abreast of legislative and technical changes in the environmental health field and recommends and implements changes in the program, as appropriate; coordinates environmental health division activities with other County, State and Federal agencies; advises and confers with State and local officials concerning environmental health methods, procedures and problems; reviews complex cases against violators which require court action, and testifies as an expert witness in court proceedings; may input, access and analyze data using a computer; may oversee the establishment and maintenance of computerized recordkeeping and tracking systems; assures that subordinate staff members keep current in the field of environmental health by overseeing the in-service training program; prepares correspondence and reports; attends public meetings and makes presentations to community groups, boards, and committees; maintains effective relationships with other county departments, other governmental agencies and community agencies; represents the County and/or Health Services Agency on inter-agency and inter-governmental task forces or groups working on water resources and environmental health issues; and conducts administrative hearings.

• Thorough knowledge of the State and federal laws, regulations and programs relating to environmental health.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental health and education.
• Some knowledge of the State and federal laws, regulations and programs relating to water resources management.
• Some knowledge of the principles and practices of water resources management.

• Thorough knowledge of the State and federal laws, regulations and programs relating to water resources.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental health, water resources and education.
• Some knowledge of the State and federal laws, regulations and programs relating to environmental health.
• Some knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental health and education.

• Working knowledge of principles and practices of organization and management.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Working knowledge of the issues facing environmental health and water resources professionals.
• Some knowledge of budget preparation and administration.
• Some knowledge of grant writing and grant administration.
• Some knowledge of the application of data processing to environmental health and water resources operations.
• Some knowledge of the legislative process and policy formulation.

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate either:

  • The consumer protection, hazardous materials, housing and administrative support programs, or
  • The watershed management, land use, septic system management, groundwater management, and water resource protection programs. Interpret, analyze, explain and apply laws, rules regulations and ordinances.
• Evaluate programs, policies and practices.
• Define problems and recommend solutions.
• Select, train and evaluate subordinate managerial and supervisory staff.
• Act as a consultant and advisor for environmental health matters, in the absence of the Director of Environmental Health.
• Conduct comprehensive research and analysis of environmental health or water resources issues and generate findings and recommendations for policy consideration.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including elected officials, community groups, consultants, County departments, and other government agencies.
• Conduct meetings and serve as the County representative and technical advisor on assigned projects.
• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively at Public Hearings and before large groups.
• Assist in the design and implementation of computerized data management systems.
• Track, monitor and advocate legislation.
• Prepare and present clear, concise oral and written reports.

Education and Experience:  

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:  

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural, physical or environmental science, water resources, planning, geology or a closely related field.   

AND

Three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environmental health and/or water resource management, including two years as a manager or supervisor.  A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Public Administration or related health field may be substituted for one year of experience.  

Special Requirements/Conditions:  

License Requirements: 

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• For the Division Director of consumer protection, hazardous materials, housing and administrative support programs, possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California State Department of Health Services is required.  

Other Special Requirements: May require working irregular hours, such as responding to emergency calls and attending after hours and/or weekend meetings.  

Note: Specialized training may be required by the Department within a certain time period for any of the Management units.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures; slippery surfaces; loud noises; sunburn; dust and pollen; bee stings; infections such as tick-borne Lyme disease or mosquito-borne encephalitis; angry or hostile persons; hazardous materials; wetness, such as while walking in the rain or through a stream on a site inspection; raw or partially treated sewage; inadequate ventilation; live electrical wires; aggressive dogs; fleas, cockroaches, and rodents.