Location: Hanford,CA, USA
The County of Kings is seeking to fill multiple Environmental Health Officer positions in the Health Department. The positions available are flexibly allocated I/II/III positions. This recruitment is for experienced Environmental Health Specialists who are registered as Environmental Health Specialists by the State. The positions filled by this recruitment may be filled at either the I, II, or III level, depending upon the candidate's qualifications.
This is a continuous recruitment which means we will accept application on a continuous basis. A continuous recruitment may be closed once the position is filled or at any time. Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established. The expected life of the eligible list is six months.
The successful candidates will encourage sound environmental health practices and secure compliance with applicable laws and regulations through enforcement and educational activities, and performs related duties as required. They may be assigned to any area of environmental health, including consumer protection, hazardous materials management and solid waste.
SALARY
Environmental Health Specialist I: $25.50 - $31.10 Hourly; $53,040.00 - $64,688.00 Annually
Environmental Health Specialist II: $28.16 - $34.37 Hourly; $58,572.80 - $71,489.60 Annually
Environmental Health Specialist III: $31.10 - $37.97 Hourly; $64,688.00 - $78,977.60 Annually
BENEFITS
This position includes a competitive benefits package, which includes CalPERS retirement(see benefits section to determine plan/tier placement), employer contributions for PPO health, dental, vision and chiropractic health insurance for employee and eligible dependents, onsite health center for employees and eligible dependents on County health insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and term life insurance ($10,000).
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.
Environment Health Specialist I: This is the entry-level, non-registered classification in the professional Environmental Health Specialist series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine environmental inspection and enforcement duties. While working toward a State of California Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist, and as experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Incumbents at this level usually perform most of the duties required at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.
Environmental Health Specialist II: This is the first working level registered classification in the professional Environment Health Specialist series. Incumbents at this level are required to possess a Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification issued by the State of California and as experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Incumbents at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the III-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.
Environmental Health Specialist III: This is the full journey-level registered classification in the professional Environment Health Specialist series. Incumbents at this level are required to possess a Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification issued by the State of California and are fully competent to perform the full range of environmental inspection and enforcement duties, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Incumbents at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is the advanced journey lead level which performs the most complex and specialized inspection and enforcement duties and provides technical and functional direction and provide training to lower-level support staff.
Positions in the Environmental Health Specialist class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the I-level, after the required certifications are obtained. Positions at the III-level are normally filled by advancement from the II-level after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for the higher-level class and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the class.
Detailed job specifications are available by clicking the links below:
Environmental Health Specialist I
Environmental Health Specialist II
Environmental Health Specialist III
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but it is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Level I:
Experience: None required.
Level II:
Experience: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Environmental Health Specialist I with Kings County.
Level III:
Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Environmental Health Specialist II with Kings County.
All levels:
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:
* Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Certifications:
* Environmental Health Specialist I: Possession of a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services.
* Environmental Health Specialist II/III: Possession of a valid California Department of Health Services certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist to be maintained throughout employment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
When assigned to a field environment:
Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to visually inspect, read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees predominately work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All Kings County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6-8 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.
* To contact the California Department of Public Health for information regarding the above education/experience standards and how to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), please click here.
For information regarding the application process to generate the Letter of Eligibility and transcript evaluation, please click here.
For information regarding educational requirements, please click here.
For additional information, please click here.
You will be required to e-mail the State of California to request the REHS application package. If you do not qualify to be certified as an REHS, but qualify as an EHS Trainee, you will be sent the evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health which states that the applicant is eligible to begin training in an approved environmental health program. This process can take a minimum of 4-6 weeks; if you are interested in this position, BEGIN THIS PROCESS NOW.
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%), which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Veteran's Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.