Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor

Job Summary

Are you an experienced leader with a deep understanding of on-site sewage and water resource regulations? Join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist "EHS" Supervisor we are seeking two dedicated individuals for our On-Site Sewage and Water Resources Program. This role is perfect for a leader who enjoys training staff in code interpretation and compliance while overseeing critical field inspections. You will play a key role in protecting and improving the health of all people in places in Pierce County.

The Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) Supervisor is a first-line supervisor of employees involved in inspecting, monitoring, and evaluating field sites and facilities for compliance with health and safety regulations. Duties include facilitating administrative hearings, variances, and waivers within a regulatory environment and providing supervision and training to staff. This position works within the Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources program and primarily supervises staff who review septic system designs, assess compliance with environmental and certified professional regulations, approve drinking water sources, and review land use applications.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Permit Technician I
• Permit Technician II
• Environmental Health Specialist I/II
• Environmental Health Specialist III
• EHS Supervisor

• Program Manager I
• Program Manager II

• Customer Service: Provide customer service to the public and industry professionals on environmental health topics, applications, permits, applicable fees, and related codes in person, over the phone, and through written communication.
• Supervision and Performance Management: Plan, prioritize, assign, and review the work of a team that includes but is not limited to environmental health specialists, pool inspectors, and permit technicians, to include office work, field work, and other aspects of the regulatory process. Investigate and resolve interpersonal issues in a timely manner. Document performance, provide feedback, conduct formal evaluations, and initiate disciplinary actions in collaboration with Human Resources, Program Manager, and division leadership. Mentor, coach, and develop direct reports and identify areas of opportunity, growth, and recognition. Recruit, hire, train, and model appropriate behavior.
• Develop Policies, Procedures, and Operational Plans and Guidelines: Establish operating procedures and guidelines for program activities. Support Program Manager to develop program plans, ensure deliverables are met, and monitor program progress. Assist Program Manager in recommendation of new ordinances, rules, or regulations. Serve as Subject Matter Expert at local, state, or federal committees or meetings.
• Quality Assurance, Control, and Improvement: Ensure employees comply with local, state, and federal codes, grant requirements, department policies and procedures, and legal guidance. Evaluate operations, processes, and outcomes. Make recommendations to the Program Manager on process and service improvements. Oversee the maintenance of accurate records, data, and documents related to program work.
• Technical Assistance and Complex Problem Solving: Provide advanced technical consultations and problem solving. Handle and resolve complex complaints, non-compliance issues, and technical problems that require advanced knowledge and judgment. Conduct advanced application reviews.

• Supervises and coordinates the work of employees involved in conducting field and office reviews of plan applications, including food service establishments, schools, camps, water recreation facilities, onsite sewage systems, drinking water wells, waste management, water quality and protection and others.
• Implements strategies that boost employee productivity, such as optimizing workflows and maximizing the use of technology and other Department resources.
• Manages staff performance. Provides regular performance feedback to employees, including timely and thorough performance reviews. Performs regular employee check ins and addresses issues that arise in a timely manner.
• Manages interpersonal issues with discretion in a timely manner and in a manner that minimizes future conflict. Facilitates a cohesive work team and manages staff with varied needs and personalities effectively. Leads employee engagement and satisfaction efforts.
• Partners with HR and Program Manager on the investigation and resolution of disciplinary matters. Issues discipline, including employee employment termination.
• Ensures employees comply with legal requirements and Department policies and procedures.
• Audits and approves employee timecards. Reviews and approves time off requests, taking into account staffing coverage and Department policies and procedures.
• Effectively develops their direct reports. Provides training and development. Identifies training needs and provides opportunities for growth. Mentors and coaches their staff.
• Acts as hiring authority and partners with HR and Program Manager on recruiting staff. Develops and implements training plans to ensure new staff are properly onboarded and trained.
• Assists program manager to allocate program resources such as Department vehicles, training funds, and purchasing dollars. Approves and signs purchase orders.
• Reviews and evaluates processes, applying quality tools and techniques for continuous improvement. Creates and maintains process workflows and documentation.
• Forecasts staffing needs and presents them to the Program Manager.
• Provides back-up coverage for Program Manager.
• Ensures employees follow all safety policies and procedures, and that safety trainings and requirements are completed. Takes employee in for reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing.
• In conjunction with the Program Manager and division leadership, works with attorneys and assigned staff on legal issues.
• Facilitates administrative hearings, variances, and waivers.
• Oversees the creation of reports, public health advisory information, and public relations materials for education and dissemination to the public.
• Analyzes, designs, compiles, records, and assesses data such as performance reports, environmental impact statements, construction plans, etc.
• Coordinates with other environmental health programs, agencies, and private industries as needed.
• The work you do might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
• Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
• Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

What you bring to the table

• Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs, databases
• Intermediate knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the body of work, including wage and hour law.
• Intermediate knowledge of Department policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreement.
• Intermediate knowledge of environmental health principles and practices.
• Knowledge of program planning and development rules, policies, and procedures.
• Skilled in planning, organizing and leading work activities to meet established objectives.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, training, and educational outreach.
• Skilled in analyzing and assessing data.
• Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
• Skilled in communication:
  • Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner.
  • Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information.
  • Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations.
  • Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information.
  • Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.

• Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
• Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work inequity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
• Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
• Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
• Cross cultural communication and Engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one’s own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department’s mission, values, and ethical standards.

Who should apply

The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in environmental science, public health, or other related science field.
• 4 years of experience in an environmental health specialist role.
• 2 years of experience as a supervisor or lead required.

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s abstract required prior to employment.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an Environmental Health Specialist role.
• Completion of required program specific certifications/training (see below)

Desirable Experience in the following areas:

• Leading and supervising a team.
• Washington State Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Regulations.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter 1 – General Provisions, 2 – On-Site Sewage and 3 – Drinking Water.
• Onsite Sewage related Inspections.
• Staff Training and/or Mentoring.
• Code Application and Interpretation for compliance.
• Accela database.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work Environment

• Work is performed in both inside and outside environments.
• Inside work exposure hazards are limited to those commonly found in government office environments.
• Potential for dealing with dissatisfied or angry customers exists, requires skills in conflict resolution and situational awareness.
• Work may be performed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, snow, and rain, leading to exposure to hazards related to heat or cold exposure.
• Exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, or waste, which if not handled or disposed of appropriately, could cause significant repercussions to the safety and health of the public.
• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings, such as landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities and other waste management facilities that may have significant odor, noise, visibility and vector issues.
• Exposure to loud noises from working around equipment or machinery, generally requiring ear protection.
• Additional safety precautions may be required or available for staff use, such as safety glasses, hardhats, or other PPE as appropriate.
• Work is up to 100% in person.

• Climbing up and down stairs, hills, and short stepladders.
• Stooping or bending repeatedly throughout the day while performing skilled and non-skilled work.
• Frequently required to perform work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold.
• Physical agility and stamina to walk up to 1/4 miles at a time up to 3 miles per day across various surfaces including unlevel ground, uneven ground, stairs, mud, slippery floors, and wooded and brushy areas.
• This position may require lifting, carrying, pulling, or moving objects up to 10 pounds consistently, 20 pounds frequently, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally.
• Regularly required to sit or stand continuously.
• Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication, including communicating with dissatisfied or angry individuals.
• Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
• Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper and operate a telephone, computer mouse, keyboard, and touch screen tablet.
• Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies and field equipment (listed below).
• Operate a motor vehicle in all lighting conditions and various weather conditions, including rain. Trip durations average 15-45 minutes but may be up to 1.5 hours. Daily drive time may be up to 6 hours total.
• Work effectively when exposed to workplace stressors, such as emotional and/or confrontational individuals.
• Learn, recall, and apply specialized information.
• Regularly maintain awareness of surroundings to identify and address potential safety issues.
• Regularly work effectively in the presence of visual, auditory, or other distractions.

• Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, tablet, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, etc.)
• Requires the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including hard hat, protective clothing, high visibility vests, safety glasses, steel toed work boots, gloves, slip-resistant shoes.
• Requires the use of field equipment (stakes, drills, sampling equipment, cameras, test kits, thermometers, etc.)

• Travel is required (approximately once a month), and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, attend, or provide training.
• Driving a vehicle requiring a license.