Environmental Health Associate (NRV)

Title: Environmental Health Associate (NRV)

State Role Title: Environmental Health Assistants

Hiring Range: $35,250-$41,250

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: NEW RIVER HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/new-river

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The New River Health District provides public health services to the residents of Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County and the City of Radford.

The mission of the New River Health Department is to prevent illness and disease, protect the environment, and promote optimal health and emergency preparedness for everyone within the New River Health District. We are people of the community, for the community. Our vision is to drive New River Health District to the peak of personal, environmental, and community health, setting an example for others to follow.

As an EH paraprofessional, performs EH support work of moderate difficulty, requiring some independent judgment and knowledge of EH laws and regulations. Responsibilities include multiple tasks which collectively dominate the position's work such as:
(1) Drafts schematic drawings for water, well and septic system construction permits; takes field notes or EH Specialist (EHS) field notes and information from plat and application; develops schematic for the permit package using CAD software.
(2) Completes various permit/certificate packages for EHS review and signature.
(3) Explains permit or certification requirements to others.
(4) Performs on-site monitoring of completed wells in uncomplicated situations; determines compliance of well location within permitted area and compliance with well constructions techniques; reporting results to EHS.
(5) Monitors sites and collects soil and water samples in support of the sewage, swimming pool and marina programs.
(6) Performs routine investigations of animal bites, monitors confined animals to observe conditions, removes animal heads for rabies examination and packages for transport.
(7) Transports rabies, soils and food specimens/samples.
(8) Performs other routine environmental investigations of low technical complexity in response to public health complaints such as verifying excessive grass height, observing open trash, confirming the ongoing presence of standing water, etc.

Support environmental health and administrative staff by independently performing work of moderate difficulty. Responsibilities require independent judgment and knowledge of basic environmental health laws and regulations, policies and procedures. Primary duties include rabies control and prevention; data management and reporting activities; coordinating responses to requests for information/records via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); general environmental field surveillance; and administrative support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Skills in composition of reports, data entry and effective communication
• Proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to conduct inspections and investigations in all areas of environmental health, to work outdoors and perform moderately strenuous physical labor during all seasons
• Skills in problem solving essential
• Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds
• 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

• Experience in environmental health support

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. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the 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!

Contact Information

Name: Nicole Altizer

Phone: 540-585-3327

Email: nicole.altizer@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.