Environmental health officer at State of Alaska Ketchikan, AK

The State of Alaska is hiring an Environmental Health Officer in Ketchikan, AK, for Alaska residents only. This role involves permitting, inspections, and technical assistance for food establishments and public facilities, requiring travel across Southeast Alaska. The position offers a positive work culture, professional development, and flexible work arrangements, including hybrid telework after probation. Salary ranges from $25.88 to $29.73 per hour.
Environmental health officer job at State of Alaska. Ketchikan, AK.

Full job description

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

This position is being recruited for in Ketchikan .

Pay will be determined based on location of selected individual.

S alary: $25.88 / $29.73

What you will be doing:
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Health is seeking one energetic, proactive, and motivated environmental health professional to serve as a flexibly staffed Environmental Health Officer (EHO) 1/2 in our Ketchikan office. This position is primarily responsible for the permitting, inspections, technical assistance regarding regulatory requirements, and investigations of complaints of food establishments and public facilities (pool and spa operations and body art shops.) This work includes travel across Southeast Alaska to remote communities.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Division of Environmental Health (EH) provides clear standards and technical assistance to ensure environmental protection, safe food, and safe drinking water for all Alaskans. The Food Safety and Sanitation program’s mission is to protect public health at regulated food, seafood, and public facilities. Our vision is to collaboratively work with these facilities to prevent illness, injury, and loss of life caused by unsafe sanitary practices. Environmental Health Officers work directly with regulated establishments- educating them on food safety and sanitation standards, and communicating with establishment owners and employees to ensure these standards are being implemented. This is a boots-on-the-ground position that can truly make a difference in our community.

The benefits of joining our team:
We offer a positive and inclusive office culture with an emphasis on professional development. Work-life balance is a high priority and is supported through flexible work arrangements, hybrid telework, and approved time off. This position has many opportunities for training and travel. We invest a lot in our employee’s education and professional growth.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• 37.5-hour work weeks; 11 paid holidays; personal leave accrual starting at over 6 hours per pay period (about 21 days annually) and increasing with years of service.
• Optional hybrid telework schedule following completion of probationary period.
• Optional membership in the Alaska State Employees Association, Local 52, AFL- CIO
Competitive health and retirement benefits. Learn more about what to expect as a new State of Alaska employee at: New Employee Orientation, Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, Department of Administration (alaska.gov).

The working environment you can expect:
This position is located in the Ketchikan DEC office. The work environment is friendly, professional, and collaborative. The Food Safety and Sanitation Program maintains a positive team atmosphere with staff statewide both in-person and through group discussions on Microsoft Teams. Our staff are now working a combination of in-person (in the office) and teleworking. This position is a combination of office/desk work and fieldwork. There are frequent opportunities to travel to other locations in the state for inspections, audits, and training.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:
• Accountability : Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Compliance : Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with State and federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development.
• Decision Making : Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Special Notice:
• A valid Driver's License is required
• This position requires frequent travel within the State (normally one trip of up to 3-5 days in length) occurring monthly including travel by small planes and boarding vessels at dockside.
• This position may be required to work hours outside the normal workweek including weekends and evenings based on program needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Environmental Health Officer 1 (Range 14):
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in
• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Reading Comprehension: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in a science field; business/public administration; developing knowledge and skill in regulation compliance; applying and communicating technical information; providing administrative and/or technical support to a business, organization or program; teaching or facilitating learning; training in a subject matter area; applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; locating, gathering, documenting, and explaining information and/or evidence.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Environmental Health Officer 2 (Range 16):
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in
• Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in a science field; business/public administration; developing knowledge and skill in regulation compliance; applying and communicating technical information; providing administrative and/or technical support to a business, organization or program; teaching or facilitating learning; training in a subject matter area; applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; locating, gathering, documenting, and explaining information and/or evidence.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a
post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Additional Required Information

A cover letter is required for this position.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION
• A cover letter addressing how you meet the competencies listed under the position you are applying for. If you are applying for the EHO 1 and EHO 2 positions, address each competency under both positions.
• Copy of unofficial transcripts if using education to meet the minimum qualifications.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW
• Three (3) professional references, including name, relationship and current phone number.
• Proof of valid driver’s license at the time of interview.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

COVER LETTER
A cover letter addressing how you meet the competencies listed under the position you are applying for. If you are applying for the EHO 1 and EHO 2 positions, address each competency under both positions.

The cover letter will be considered as a writing sample, and it will be used, in part, to determine which applicants advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.

Please attach the cover letter as a separate document to your application before applying online. If unable to attach to your application, email or fax the cover letter to the contact number provided in the job posting prior to the closing date of this recruitment . Your cover letter will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. Omission of any required documentation will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
Please be sure to check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

NOTE: The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

WORK EXPERIENCE
When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here:

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at:

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:

Contact Information

For specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager:

Carol Brady

Environmental Health Officer 4

907-269-7636

carol.brady@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits
• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
• The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
• AVTEC
• Confidential
• Correctional Officers
• Marine Engineers
• Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
• Supervisory
• Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
• Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
• The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
• General Government
• Labor, Trades and Crafts
• Public Safety Employees Association
• Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits
• Group-based insurance premiums for
• Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
• Long-term and short-term disability
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
• Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits
• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year