ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

The Commonwealth of VA Careers is hiring an Environmental Health Specialist for the Virginia Department of Health, based in Accomac, VA. This entry-level position involves training in areas like food sanitation and environmental inspections. Candidates must communicate effectively and complete specific training within 18 months. The role offers benefits including paid holidays and retirement plans. Two positions are available in Accomack and Northampton.
Title: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST


State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I


Hiring Range: 45114.00 - 50107.00


Pay Band: 4


Agency: Virginia Department of Health


Location: EASTERN SHORE-ACCOMACK-CEN


Agency Website: VDH.Virginia.gov


Recruitment Type: General Public - G


Job Duties


The mission of the Eastern Shore Health Department is to prevent illness and disease, protect the environment, and promote optimal health and emergency preparedness for everyone on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We are people of the community, for the community. Our vision is to drive Virginia's Eastern Shore to the peak of personal, environmental, and community health, setting an example for others to follow.

The incumbent of this position would 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, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, classification of shellfish growing areas and investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees receive close supervision and guidance. Must be able to complete the applicable training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE), and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. Employees are moved to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position upon successful completion.

This posting is to hire two positions in different locations; Accomack and Northampton.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.



Minimum Qualifications


• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as other internal/external partners and staff; proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to 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
• Time management skills necessary to meet workload demands
• Knowledge and/experience in assigned program area
• 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 Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 18 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector
• 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, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate




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.





Contact Information


Name: Crystal Parks


Phone: Please use email


Email: Crystal.Parks@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.