What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Health Specialist II position at Fairfax County?
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The Fairfax County Health Department is the largest public health department in Virginia, serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds throughout Fairfax County. With more than 100 years of leadership in the public health field, we are committed to protecting, promoting, and improving the health and quality of life for all in our community.
This position works within the Division of Environmental Health and provides administrative assistance and an advanced level of expertise and technical training. Under limited supervision of an Environmental Health Supervisor or Environmental Health Specialist III, conducts inspections, complaint investigations, and surveys to determine compliance with state and local codes and regulations related to campgrounds, food facilities, hotels and motels, massage establishments, on site wastewater treatment systems, religiously exempt childcare facilities, special events, summer camps, swimming pools, tattoo shops, and water wells. Conducts surveillance of disease carrying insects and ticks. Participates in environmental program education and related community outreach activities. Documents inspections and investigation findings; records coded entries in designated database. Attends training courses, educational conferences, and seminars to enhance job proficiency. Attends regular staff meetings as scheduled. Performs other duties as assigned.
Note: Health Department positions are designated as emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. As a public health emergency responder, this position may be reassigned to provide support based on the emergency response service needs. The temporary reassignment may require employees to function in a role outside of the typical job duties. The emergency response may also require employees to work alternative work schedules to include weekend and evenings.
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb or crawl, stretch, reach overhead, exerting up to 10 lbs. of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; lift or carry up to 25 lbs., unaided; or up to 50lbs. with or without assistance, occasionally. Constant movements (motions) of the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers to grasp, handle or feel. Ability to move safely through narrow passages or traverse over uneven terrain; wear personal protective equipment, as required. Visual acuity is required to read data from paper and on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer; and use of touchscreen electronics. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Ability to drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver's license; travel to various locations throughout the county. Generally, works in an office environment but primarily required to perform job duties outside of a typical office setting to conduct inspections or investigations (e.g. restaurants, pools, other facilities etc.), including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and night-time hours. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
- A supportive team environment
- A dynamic orientation
- The opportunity to make a difference by serving those most in need
- The ability to work collaboratively with community partners to address public health priorities.
- A learning culture with work life balance.
The Fairfax County Health Department is the largest public health department in Virginia, serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds throughout Fairfax County. With more than 100 years of leadership in the public health field, we are committed to protecting, promoting, and improving the health and quality of life for all in our community.
This position works within the Division of Environmental Health and provides administrative assistance and an advanced level of expertise and technical training. Under limited supervision of an Environmental Health Supervisor or Environmental Health Specialist III, conducts inspections, complaint investigations, and surveys to determine compliance with state and local codes and regulations related to campgrounds, food facilities, hotels and motels, massage establishments, on site wastewater treatment systems, religiously exempt childcare facilities, special events, summer camps, swimming pools, tattoo shops, and water wells. Conducts surveillance of disease carrying insects and ticks. Participates in environmental program education and related community outreach activities. Documents inspections and investigation findings; records coded entries in designated database. Attends training courses, educational conferences, and seminars to enhance job proficiency. Attends regular staff meetings as scheduled. Performs other duties as assigned.
Note: Health Department positions are designated as emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. As a public health emergency responder, this position may be reassigned to provide support based on the emergency response service needs. The temporary reassignment may require employees to function in a role outside of the typical job duties. The emergency response may also require employees to work alternative work schedules to include weekend and evenings.
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- Gathers and records information on complaints, inspections, emergency calls and requests for investigation/evaluations;
- Extracts, inspects, tests and analyzes samples;
- Designs and conducts surveys and studies in assigned specialty area;
- Initiates and follows up on correction of unsanitary/hazardous conditions;
- Enforces County, State and Federal laws, codes and regulations when violations are observed;
- Performs technical analyses and assists in the evaluation of plans and specifications for air pollution control devices, housing construction, property development;
- Issues permits for construction of on-site sewage disposal systems, private water supplies, and operation of public establishments;
- Prepares drafts of official correspondence;
- Provides information and assistance to the public (including property owners, business operators, developers/real estate agents, engineering professionals), other County agencies, and other jurisdictions;
- Prepares summons requests, subpoenas, and case histories;
- Testifies at court hearings.
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental health or a bachelor's degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences; plus, one year of experience in environmental health investigations.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Valid driver's license.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR certification (Required within 60 days).
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (Required within 60 days).
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
Additional Work Schedule Requirements: On call 24-hrs/day for rabies emergency on-call and emergencies.
This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
Additional Work Schedule Requirements: On call 24-hrs/day for rabies emergency on-call and emergencies.
This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Three or more years of experience and knowledge working in a regulatory environment interpreting and/or enforcing codes or regulations.
- Three or more years of experience in the field of environmental health and inspection programs.
- Experience and working knowledge of personal computers including laptops, word processing and database management programs.
- Experience conducting field compliance inspections and/or complaint investigations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; and the ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision making.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Possession of one or more of the following: Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator License, Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator License, Alternative Onsite System Operator License, Certified Pool Operator Certification, or Commercial Pesticide Certified Applicator License.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb or crawl, stretch, reach overhead, exerting up to 10 lbs. of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; lift or carry up to 25 lbs., unaided; or up to 50lbs. with or without assistance, occasionally. Constant movements (motions) of the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers to grasp, handle or feel. Ability to move safely through narrow passages or traverse over uneven terrain; wear personal protective equipment, as required. Visual acuity is required to read data from paper and on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer; and use of touchscreen electronics. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Ability to drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver's license; travel to various locations throughout the county. Generally, works in an office environment but primarily required to perform job duties outside of a typical office setting to conduct inspections or investigations (e.g. restaurants, pools, other facilities etc.), including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and night-time hours. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
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Salary : $66,784 - $116,873