Title: Environmental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $43,175.00-$50,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHESTERFIELD HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Do you like serving the public? Do you want to be a part of protecting the environmental health of our community? Would you like a career that allows you to work inside and outside, while performing services? If this is you, join our team! This is a full-time state position with excellent benefits located at the Chesterfield Health District.
The Environmental Health Specialist will perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation. This position interprets and applies environmental laws, regulations, policies and procedures to determine compliance and reduce risks to the public’s health. Primary responsibilities include: performing periodic sanitary inspections of food services for the Food Safety Program (documenting violations and recommending corrective action), inspecting and permitting migrant labor camps, tourist establishments (including TES pools) and temporary food booths at festivals and fairs, investigating animal bites following established guidelines, reviewing construction plans of food establishments, conducting licensing inspection through the Department of Education and responding to food borne illness and general environmental complaints. Employees are moved to the Environmental
Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Time management skills necessary in order to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/experience in food safety
• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees/management, provide services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Food program and be able to obtain the VDH Food Standardization credentials within 18 months
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge and experience in use of HealthSpace Environmental Health Database (EHD)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Accredited Food Manager Certification
• Hold a National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and/or Certified Professional- Food Safety (CP-FS)

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Michael Kalson

Phone: 804-807-4365

Email: michael.kalson@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.