Environmental Health Specialist VI

The State of Hawaiʻi is hiring an Environmental Health Specialist VI to lead a statewide program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The role involves developing policies for occupational health compliance, advising staff, and coordinating inspections. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the U.S. and a relevant bachelor's degree, along with one year of professional experience in the field.
Recruitment Information
Recruitment Number: OHHI-26022


This recruitment is being conducted under the Operation Hire Hawaii (OH‑HI) project, a targeted outreach initiative featuring an expedited hiring process, fast‑tracking qualified applicants into job opportunities throughout Hawai‘i.


Applications received will be reviewed for legal authorization to work in the United States. All applicants who pass the legal authorization review will be referred to the hiring department for consideration and an initial review of the application.


Applicants who meet the initial review requirements at the departmental level may be contacted by the hiring program for an interview. All applicants interviewed by the hiring program will be notified of their selection or non‑selection by the department.


The application referral and potential interview conducted at the departmental level does not imply that applicants have met all minimum qualification requirements. A thorough review of all applications received will be conducted by the Department of Human Resources Development and all applicants will be notified of the final disposition.


Immediate vacancy is with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Plant Industry Division, located in Downtown.


Salary: $6,535 – $7,952 per month (SR‑26, Step D to I)


Duties Summary

Serves as a chief of a statewide program and directs a staff of specialists under broad divisional and departmental administrative guidelines and codes, standards and provisions of the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Laws. Work involves developing policies, procedures, methods and practices relating to occupational health assessment and enforcement and related matters. Review of work is limited to general conformance with administrative policies and objectives.
Departmental staff specialist responsible for planning, developing, implementing and coordinating department‑wide plans, goals and objectives to ensure compliance with various applicable environmental health program laws, rules and regulations; and serving as the department's chief advisor on matters relating to environmental health regulatory compliance. Duties and responsibilities involve advising other departmental staff on environmental health program policies, practices and procedures; coordinating departmental inspections, investigations and other activities to ensure compliance; and representing the department in dealing with federal and state enforcement agencies on all matters involving environmental compliance.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Legal Authorization to Work


The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State to be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.


Education


Bachelor's degree from an accredited four‑year college or university with a major in chemistry, physics, biology, zoology, environmental science or other closely related field of science. Coursework must have included at least three semester credit hours in college algebra or higher.


General Experience


One (1) year of progressively responsible professional work experience which involved interpreting and applying principles, concepts and/or standards related to a chemical, physical, biological or related field of science; gathering, evaluating and analyzing facts and other pertinent information required to resolve problems and recommend appropriate courses of action. The work must have demonstrated the ability to identify problems and alternative solutions, use judgment in determining appropriate alternatives, and prepare clear and concise written reports and recommendations for action.


Specialized Experience


Three and one‑half (3‑1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in a field of environmental/occupational health which demonstrated knowledge and understanding of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., chemical, physical or biological substances) or pollutants and required knowledge and application of laws, rules, regulations, methods and techniques pertaining to an area of environmental/occupational health such as clean air, clean water, drinking water, solid and hazardous waste, oil spill, etc. The work must have involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating data related to environmentally hazardous substances; conducting inspections and/or investigations for hazardous environmental/occupational health conditions and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; approving and issuing permits to conduct activities and/or operations in accordance with environmental health regulations; and/or advising others on complying with environmental/occupational health program laws, rules, regulations and standards.


Additional Experience Requirements


Applicants for the EHS VI must have two years of work experience comparable to the EHS IV level or one year at the EHS V level in the State service.


Supervisory Aptitude


Supervisory aptitude rather than actual supervisory experience may be accepted. This requirement will be considered met when there is strong affirmative evidence of the necessary supervisory abilities and/or potential.


Substitutions Allowed


Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualification Requirements apply.


Driver's License


Some positions require possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment. The immediate vacancy has this requirement.


Other Information
The State of Hawai‘i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808‑587‑1111 for assistance.


Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program


The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation


Electronic Notification to Applicants


The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs.


Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide are current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email‑box in a timely manner. Additionally, you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.


Testing Information


The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held.


In‑person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in‑person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.


Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application.


CLICK HERE for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the State Recruiting Office's Levels of Review.