Senior Environmental Health Specialist - Jefferson County Department of Health

The Jefferson County Department of Health is hiring a Senior Environmental Health Specialist to conduct complex environmental inspections, assess facilities, and evaluate inspection results. This full-time role involves training new hires and may serve as a backup for supervisors. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and experience in public health or environmental regulation. The position offers competitive pay and benefits, with a salary range of $57,449 to $89,128.
Target Close Date

05/23/2025

Pay Grade

Grade 23

Type

Full time

Job Summary

Jefferson County Department of Health is seeking to hire a Senior Environmental Health Specialist to conduct high-priority and/or complex environmental inspections requiring advanced training and expertise to assess facilities, sites, and equipment that pose danger to human health. Senior Environmental Health Specialists also perform larger-scale assessments, projects, and evaluation of cumulative inspection results and practical trainer for the onboarding of new Environmental Health Specialist new hires and interns. In the absence of the supervisor, this position may be assigned as a designated back-up for a variety of tasks shared by Environmental Health Program Supervisors. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Environmental Health Program Supervisor who reviews work for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and adherence to policies and procedures. Progression into this job is dependent on having acquired the requisite Jefferson County Department of Health experience necessary to perform the full range of duties assigned to the Senior Environmental Health Specialist.

Compensation & Benefits

The Jefferson County Department of Health provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

The Pay Range For This Job Is Listed Below

Jefferson County Department of Health $57,449 - $89,128

Minimum Qualifications

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:
• Driver's License.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working in public health or environmental regulatory agency.

Preferred Qualifications

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by the Jefferson County Department of Health. These qualifications may be considered by the Health Department when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.
• Familiarization of current environmental health codes (e.g., food codes, air pollution, onsite and community sanitation, storm water).
• Experience performing inspections in specialized areas (e.g., food/lodging, community environmental protection, air pollution and radiation).

Typical Job Duties
• Performs administrative tasks such as maintaining records, gathering/documenting information, preparing resolutions, and updating systems in order to document and coordinate the work of the environmental health inspection unit.
• Communicates with individuals (e.g., citizens, inspectors, supervisors, other departments, and/or department managers) in an effort to represent the department, answer questions, and/or explain information (e.g., law, codes, ordinances).
• Assigns public health scores after completion of inspections in order to rate the overall level of compliance for inspection sites.
• Condemns or interrupts the use of items/equipment that are not in compliance with applicable rules/regulations/standards for health and safety reasons.
• Recommends corrective action for residents/owners/operators/stakeholders in order to bring them into compliance with applicable health laws, rules, and regulations.
• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Performs large-scale assessments and evaluations by analyzing trends and patterns in inspection results and public health data to guide decision-making, improve inspection protocols, or identify emerging public health risks.
• Conducts high-priority and complex environmental inspections by overseeing the intake, investigation, and resolution of complex or escalated environmental health complaints, requiring advanced training and expertise to assess facilities, sites, and equipment that may pose a danger to human health.
• Utilizes independent judgment to coordinate with property owners, collect data samples, identify hazards, and interpret regulations to ensure compliance with public health rules and regulations.
• Coordinates and assists with public health emergency responses that require advanced training or experience.
• Serves as a practical trainer for the onboarding of new Environmental Health Specialists to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices rules, laws, polices, and/or guidelines.
• Acts as a lead worker of peer or support staff by assigning and reviewing work tasks, facilitating training, and providing feedback using policies, procedures, tools, and directives from management in order to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with established requirements.
• Participates in the development, review, and revision of environmental health policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices.
• Collaborates with local, state, or federal agencies on joint environmental health investigations, special projects, or enforcement actions.
• Develops and delivers educational materials or presentations to the public, industry groups, or stakeholders to promote environmental health awareness and compliance.

Physical Demands

Job involves moderate physical exertion required for occasional periods of standing, walking, lifting, carrying, balancing, climbing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.

Work Environment

Work is conducted both indoors in an office setting as well as regular field visits to external places of business, residences, and construction sites. Work involves the use of standard office equipment, such as a computer, phone, copier, etc.

Eeo Statement

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Each Merit System member city/agency operate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

Accommodation

To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at accommodationrequest@pbjcal.org or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process.

Note

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

Disclaimer

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.