Supervising Environmental Health Specialist

The County of Kings is seeking qualified applicants for Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, who want to bring their expertise to a leadership role that directly protects public health and shapes the future of environmental safety in Kings County. As a Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, you will lead a team of dedicated professionals while taking on some of the County's most complex and impactful environmental health challenges. This role offers the opportunity to guide critical programs, from food safety and hazardous materials to land use, water quality, and emergency response, while serving as a trusted technical expert for both internal teams and the community. If you are a seasoned Environmental Health Specialist who thrives on mentorship, problem-solving, and ensuring the well-being of the public through high-quality environmental oversight, this is a meaningful next step in your career.

MANAGEMENT LEVEL II BENEFITS
This position includes Management Group II benefits, which features CalPERS retirement (plan and tier placement determined at benefits selection) and full paid PPO health premiums, dental, vision, and chiropractic insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Employees are also eligible for Deferred Compensation Plan, with the County contributing one dollar for every three dollars contributed by the employee, up to $3,500 per year. Vacation accrual ranges from 12 to 20 days per year, based on years of service, and the County Executive Officer may authorize an adjusted accrual rate for employees hired from other public agencies to reflect prior service. In addition, this position includes 80 hours of management leave (pro-rated upon hire date), which may be cashed out at the employee's option. Employees receive 11.5 scheduled paid holidays per year, plus an additional 3.5 days when the County participates in holiday closures, and 10 to 12 days of accrued sick leave per year with unlimited accrual. Other benefits include $40,000 term life insurance and access to the onsite Health Center Monday through Friday for employees and eligible dependents, without the need to use sick or other leave for personal appointments. Longevity pay is available after 10 and 20 years of service.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff providing Environmental Health Services; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
• Monitors activities of the work of professional staff performing inspection and enforcement duties in the environmental health program; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Provides training to staff performing environmental health inspection and enforcement duties; instructs staff in work procedures.
• Performs complex and specialized regulation and enforcement of health and safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized regulations, rules, and policies related to environmental health program areas.
• Serves in a technical expert capacity within program areas including, but not limited to, reviewing, and commenting on environmental documents for conformance with codes and regulations; providing guidance on permitting and regulations for land development projects; providing oversight and direction to the non-standard septic system program; and coordinating division operations with external organizations including law enforcement or oversight agencies.
• Conducts investigations and inspections on the most complex complaints for consumer protection, hazardous materials, drinking water sanitation, septic systems, land use and vector control; ensures compliance with regulations; takes samples; issues citations for violations of public health and environmental laws and regulations.
• Reviews referrals from planning, building and business license applications for conformance with environmental codes and regulations; coordinates referrals and/or projects with other units within the Environmental Health Division.
• Provides guidance to contractors, developers and the general public on wells and wastewater disposal permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
• Issues permits for the installation, modification, and closure of underground storage tanks; ensures that State guidelines are followed; identifies areas where unauthorized releases have occurred; documents site conditions; notifies underground storage tanks operators and contractors of testing requirements, results, and required correction measures.
• Participates in emergency response activities, including the investigation of food borne disease outbreaks, vector control, and response to hazardous materials releases.
• Provides technical assistance to business and governmental agencies regarding environmental health, including hazardous materials management and solid waste.
• Prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations, and studies completed and may testify in court regarding findings.
• Provides general information to the regulated community and public regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations; receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding division activities and programs.
• Confers with officials of other public agencies and persons with private business; attends and participates in meetings and committees, both internally and externally, as assigned.
• Compiles data for and prepares a variety of records and reports related to environmental health investigations, inspections, studies, and projects.
• Participates in community education and public information efforts.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, holidays and weekends, 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 and self-contained breathing apparatus.

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.