Environmental Health Specialist (#RA0600)
$31.92-$38.80 Hourly / $5,533.25-$6,725.70 Monthly / $66,399.03-$80,708.43 Yearly

Under general supervision assists in performing investigations and enforcing environmental health laws and regulations; performs related and other work as required in accordance with Civil Service Rule 3, Section 3.

This is the pre-registered entry-level class in the Registered Environmental Health Specialist series. Employees in this class assist Registered Environmental Health Specialists in performing inspections and investigations and assist in providing enforcement and consultation for environmental health laws and regulations. Employees in this class are fully trained as Environmental Health Specialists and are awaiting the next available California registration examination for which they are eligible. They may also be completing a short period of required internship.

• Assists in conducting inspections and investigations to determine environmental health problems and need for corrective action; conducts surveys and collects data.
• Assists in enforcing federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards in the area of environmental health.
• Assists in inspecting food handling and processing establishments, land use applications, public swimming pools and spas, substandard housing, well systems, small public water systems, on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems, underground storage tank facilities, hazardous waste generator facilities, and other environmental health programs.
• Assists in reviewing plans for installation of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems, well systems, underground storage tanks, public swimming pools, food establishments, small public water systems and other related environmental health installations.
• Assists in investigating complaints of nuisances such as vector problems, waste disposal and other unsanitary conditions; gathers facts, collects samples, and recommends abatement and control measures.
• Assists in inspecting chemical and hazardous waste storage facilities and investigating hazardous material spills.
• Gathers, organizes and analyzes technical data and prepares appropriate reports utilizing computers and computer software programs; maintains records; prepares correspondence.
• Assists in interpreting environmental health laws and regulations to contractors, public and private officials and the general public; makes presentations to various interest groups.
• Provides information for the preparation of billing statements, issues environmental health permits and collects fees.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in sciences and mathematics as prescribed in Section 106600-106735, all inclusive, of the California Health and Safety Code.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Special Requirement: Must meet the education and training requirements as established under Section 106635 of the California Health & Safety Code for admission to the examination for registration as an Environmental Health Specialist and shall participate in the next scheduled registration examination for which eligible, following appointment. In any event, employees must successfully complete the program to be a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within a period of 18 months following appointment to this class.

Basic principles of biology, chemistry, microbiology, and physics; principles and practices of environmental health; federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards relative to the duties; agencies, officials and resources involved in the environmental health field; principles and methods of conducting inspections and investigations, methods for resolving problems and enforcement procedures; safety practices; language mechanics; methods of data gathering, analysis and presentation, including statistical concepts; mathematics at the college algebra or calculus level; basic public relations principles.

Assist in conducting inspections, investigations, and reporting procedures; enforcing laws and developing satisfactory resolutions of problems and violations; interpret technical written information; communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; present information in both written and verbal formats; operate a data entry device; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of public and private officials and the general public; follow written and oral directions.

Mobility-Operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Distinguishing between various items, including pests and health conditions; constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; deal with emergency situations, exposure to trauma, grief, death; heights; working with hazardous materials; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; working alone; Environmental-Working in cold, heat, rain, snow (outside); poor ventilation.