Environment Health Specialist

The Environment Health Specialist position at the Virginia Department of Health is an entry-level role focused on environmental health training. Responsibilities include food sanitation, private well inspections, and disease investigations under supervision. Employees must complete training and obtain credentials within 18 months for promotion. The role offers benefits like medical insurance, paid holidays, and retirement plans. A valid driver’s license is required, and previous experience in environmental health is a plus.
About the position

The Environment Health Specialist position at the Virginia Department of Health is an entry-level role designed for individuals who are new to the field of environmental health. This position involves a comprehensive training program where employees will engage in formal and on-the-job training across various areas, including food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and inspections of migrant labor camps. Additionally, the role includes the classification of shellfish growing areas and the investigation of general environmental complaints. Employees in this position will work under close supervision and guidance, ensuring they develop the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively. As part of the training, employees must complete applicable training programs in the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Soils program, VDH Food program, or VDH Shellfish program. Within 18 months, they are expected to obtain credentials in one of the following areas: 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. Upon successful completion of the training and credentialing, employees will be promoted to the Environmental Health Specialist Senior position. The Virginia Department of Health is committed to providing a supportive work environment, offering a range of benefits including paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as retirement plans that include a 401a Cash Match and a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees will also have access to sick leave, family/personal leave, and annual leave, ensuring a balanced work-life experience.

Responsibilities
• Perform environmental health duties as a trainee under close supervision.
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• Engage in formal and on-the-job training in areas such as food sanitation and private well inspection.
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• Conduct inspections of migrant labor camps and classify shellfish growing areas.
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• Investigate general environmental complaints and communicable disease cases.
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• Complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program, or VDH Shellfish program.
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• Obtain necessary credentials within 18 months of employment.

Requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and internal/external partners.
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• Proficiency in basic computer software programs.
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• Strong time management skills to meet workload demands.
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• Knowledge and experience in assigned program area.
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• Ability to influence behavior of foodservice employees and management.
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• Customer-service oriented approach to assignments and teamwork.
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• Valid State Driver's License required for operating state or personal vehicles.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in environmental health, such as gained as an Environmental Health Associate.

Benefits
• 12 paid holidays
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• Medical insurance
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• Dental insurance
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• Vision insurance
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• Life insurance
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• Retirement plans (401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan)
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• Sick leave
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• Family/personal leave
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• Annual leave