Environmental Health Technician - Extra-Help
Starting salary up to $25.82/hourly*
Environmental Health Technicians work in the Environmental Health (EH) Section as an integral part of the Environmental Protection team. These positions help ensure the safety of recreational swimming sites along the Sonoma coast and the Russian River by performing regular monitoring and sampling activities. In addition, Environmental Health Technicians assist the waste tire enforcement program by performing waste tire surveillance activities and regulatory inspections of waste tire facilities. Additional duties may include:
- Water sampling and re-sampling activities at seven locations along the Sonoma coast and 10 locations along the Russian River and reporting test results to supervising staff
- Posting ocean and/or river advisories or closures and assisting other staff with enforcement, outreach, and website/hotline updates and notifications
- Conducting inspections, obtaining factual data, and enforcing local and State laws and regulations pertaining to waste tires
- Providing recommendations for abatement of violations and nuisances
- Preparing routine reports, statistics, correspondence, and assisting in the preparation of technical reports on inspections and violations
- Updating the public regarding general and technical information related to environmental health regulations and the permit application process
- Supporting witness preparation, and appearing as a witness in administrative hearings, citations, and court cases
- Providing assistance in disaster recovery
These positions generally work on identified eight-hour shifts Monday-Friday. The selected individuals should be prepared to work in a variety of various weather conditions to obtain freshwater and ocean water samples, as well as inspections at permitted waste tire facilities. The peak work activity period is typically from May through October when weekly water quality monitoring program is in in effect. Personal protective equipment will be provided for activities in which it is required.
The ideal candidates will possess:
- An interest in science and community health, with an enthusiasm to learn
- The availability to work two to five days per week, and flexibility to alter their schedule when necessary
- The ability to work independently, follow program standards, analyze regulations, and maintain sampling consistency in variable environmental conditions
- Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to accurately document observations and provide clear and concise updates to Environmental Health program leadership
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to research an issue and provide findings in a meaningful way
Additional training in any Environmental Health program area would be beneficial This includes, but is not limited to, Food Safety Manager Certification, Certified Pool Operator, Hazardous Waste Operations, Emergency Response, Lead Inspector/Assessor Certificate, etc.
About the Environmental Health Section (EHS)
It is the mission of the EHS to protect health, prevent disease, promote health for all persons in Sonoma County, and enhance quality of life by preventing or controlling diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work, and play.
EHS programs employ strategies to prevent health hazards. Strategies include education, surveillance, inspections, response to citizen tips, sampling, health warning postings, and enforcement.
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two temporary extra-help positions in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: basic biology and chemistry; general scientific terminology; basic mathematics; standard letter and report formats; standard English grammar, usage, and composition.
Ability to: learn State and County laws and ordinances governing land use and solid waste; principles and practices of city, County or governmental code enforcement; learn, understand, and explain applicable environmental health regulations and/or the permitting process; learn the methods and procedures used in the inspection, investigation and correction of unsanitary and hazardous conditions; learn and use proper sampling techniques; follow topographic and street maps; use the five senses to observe conditions at inspection sites; drive safely in a variety of conditions; use a personal computer and standard business software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, e-mail, and Internet search engines; keep accurate records; work in extreme temperatures or other varying weather conditions; be exposed to allergens such as poison oak, pollen and bee stings; be exposed to noxious odors, and unsanitary conditions at inspection sites; work independently and make appropriate decisions within the limits of own expertise and authority; follow written and oral instructions; clearly, effectively, and tactfully communicate with a wide variety of people.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.