Supervising Environmental Health Specialist
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services seeks experienced Registered Environmental Health Specialist candidates to fill a full-time Supervising Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) position.
Please note: This positions requires current possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist as required by the State of California's Health and Safety Code. The State of California, Department of Public Health oversees the certification process for this position. Please visit the State of California Registered Environmental Health Specialist website for more information.
What Makes Sonoma County a Great Choice
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
About the Position
The Supervising Environmental Health Specialist will work as a supervisor within the Environmental Health team. They serve as the program expert, advise other staff members on best practices and regulations, and work closely with their Program Manager and Director and the Environmental Health Leadership Team to implement program improvements and new regulations. They will be responsible for facilitating staff training within these programs, providing advice to the journey level and senior staff when they are in the field, developing the programs to increase efficiency, developing procedures and practices to provide consistency of operations and increase accuracy, and participating with the Environmental Health Leadership Team on upcoming regulatory changes, program needs, and suggested improvements.
The ideal candidate will possess:
The technical ability to interpret regulations and apply them effectively across programs
- Leadership qualities that inspire staff through emotional intelligence, trust, collaboration and empowerment
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to give presentations
- The ability to interact with a diverse customer base and to build relationships both within the team, community, and with clients
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- The ability to be flexible in many situations and be able to flex between working independently as a self-starter and working together as a team player
- Empathy, positivity, patience, tact, and a good sense of humor
- The ability to shift gears quickly and a desire to work in a fast-paced environment
- Additional program specific training is desired
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein. Normally, this would include graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in environmental health science, biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, or related subjects, as required by state law, and two years of working level professional experience, or one year of advanced working level professional experience, in the field of environmental health and safety regulation and enforcement (e.g. working as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, a Registered Sanitarian, an Environmental Sanitarian, a Public Health Sanitarian, a Certified Environmental Health Professional, or as an equivalently recognized professional). Some lead or supervisory experience is desirable. A Master's degree in Public Health, Health Science, or Public Administration is desirable.
License: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist as required by the State of California's Health and Safety Code.
Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of: sanitation science, requirements and procedures and the methods and procedures used in inspecting, investigating and correcting unsanitary or hazardous conditions; federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental health and safety; principles and practices of public health; hazardous materials management and emergency response protocols; current methods, means and technologies used for training in the environmental health field.
Considerable knowledge of: principles of general chemistry, physics, microbiology and biology; environmental research and statistical methods; methods of gathering and analyzing data; basic building construction materials and principles relating to environmental health requirements.
Working knowledge of: principles and practices of organization, management, and supervision.
Ability to: plan, organize, and carry out research, analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations based on findings; prepare and maintain complex, comprehensive reports and records; communicate verbal and written ideas clearly and logically; establish and maintain effective relationships with other governmental officials, the public and administrative and professional personnel.
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 employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. 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.