Environmental Health Associate

ATHENA Consulting is seeking an Environmental Health Associate in Newport News, VA, to support environmental health programs through inspections, investigations, and public interaction. Key responsibilities include monitoring compliance, conducting public health investigations, and maintaining documentation. The position involves minimal supervision and requires independent judgment. The role pays $22.00 per hour, with standard hours from Monday to Friday, and may involve up to 10% travel.
Overview Of Athena

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better! We make our Clients’ Lives Easier by engaging and supporting our clients and partnering with them to be the most knowledgeable staffing partner. We make our Employees’ Lives Better by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching these talents with our customers’ needs. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability and getting the job done.

Position Summary

The Environmental Health Associate (Paraprofessional) supports a wide range of environmental health programs by performing inspections, investigations, monitoring, and fieldwork that require independent judgment and knowledge of environmental health laws and regulations. This role plays a key part in protecting public health through routine inspections, sample collection, documentation, and public interaction. Work is performed with minimal supervision, with guidance provided for complex or non-compliant situations.

Location: Newport News, VA

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Job Description / Key Responsibilities

Environmental Health Inspections & Monitoring
• Perform routine inspections of pools, marinas, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and seasonal lodging facilities
• Conduct inspections for beauty salons, barber shops, and tattoo parlors
• Monitor completed wells and determine compliance with permit requirements
• Assist with onsite sewage and water programs, including reviewing permit applications and reports

Rabies Prevention & Public Health Investigations
• Investigate animal bites within required timelines
• Collect, prepare, and ship samples for laboratory analysis
• Monitor confined animals and assist with rabies prevention efforts
• Conduct routine environmental investigations related to public health complaints (e.g., standing water, trash, excessive grass height)

Field Support & Sample Collection
• Collect soil and water samples in support of sewage, swimming pool, marina, and beach water programs
• Support summer feeding and beach water monitoring programs under supervision

Public Interaction & Education
• Explain permit, certification, and regulatory requirements to the public
• Respond to public inquiries and provide guidance on environmental health concerns
• Maintain communication with local officials, veterinarians, and community partners

Documentation & Administrative Duties
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation using state environmental databases
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and maintain complete case files
• Manage records, schedule work, and assist with daily operations
• Support emergency response efforts as needed

Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds at times.
• Standard hours of work Monday through Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm.
• Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Successful ATHENA employees will display the following characteristics:
• You strive to be the best in your field currently and in the future.
• You like to make your employer look good.
• You find solutions, where others only see problems.
• You are proactive, you make and meet commitments, and you perform your duties exceedingly well.
• You are aware of the employer’s needs at all times and are well-versed in what you personally and ATHENA can offer them as a whole.
• You have the ability to work with diverse, integrated, deliverable-driven teams to accomplish the larger mission.

The benefits of working for ATHENA include:
• Support from a team of professionals committed to making your life better.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Medical and dependent flexible spending account.
• Pet insurance.
• Mass transportation benefit for the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.
• 401k with a generous employer match.
• Easy to use employee self-serve HR portal.
• Paid time off varies by contract – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.
• Holiday pay varies by contract – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.

The statements in this Job Posting are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work required. The content should not be construed as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required to meet the criteria for this position. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application for employment is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment and if hired, employment with the company is on an at-will basis and could be terminated at the will of either party.

ATHENA Consulting LLC does not discriminate in hiring based on federally protected classifications to include but not limited to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.