Environmental Health Specialist I - County of Contra Costa, California

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Environmental Health Specialist I position. The department currently has two (2) vacancies in the Environmental Health Division located in Concord, CA. You will be required to travel to various locations within Contra Costa County, and work on-call and on weekends as needed.
 
Contra Costa Environmental Health is the prevention, preservation, and improvement of environmental factors affecting the health and safety of our community. It comprises a wide variety of programs designed to protect and promote the health of the people of Contra Costa County by regulating food, drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste handling, and other matters. Legal authority to operate these programs is derived from the Health and Safety Code, Government Code, Public Resources Code, Water Code, and California Code of Regulations.
 
We are looking for someone who is:

• Able to clearly communicate concepts and directions both verbally and in writing to the public and public officials
• Assertive and able to conduct enforcement and other tasks confidently with minimum supervision
• Able to provide and promote excellent customer service for both internal and external customers
• Able to prepare clear and concise reports
• Organized, can budget time effectively, and prioritize duties to ensure that all assignments are completed by established deadlines

What you will typically be responsible for: 

• Conducting inspections and completing relevant inspection reports
• Providing excellent customer service when conducting tasks and responding to inquiries
• Completing review and approval of various documents, applications, and plans
• Investigating various complaints related to the codes Environmental Health enforces
• Taking enforcement action for non-compliance
• Accurately interpreting codes and appropriate enforcement based on those codes
• Providing education to operators and the public
• Collecting samples for laboratory tests

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will enjoy interacting with others and helping them succeed
• You will be out in the field for approximately 80% of your day
• You will get to collaborate with other agencies when working on various tasks
• The field of Environmental Health is very broad; there will be opportunities to learn new subjects and programs
• You will serve an integral part in protecting public health and the environment

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to communicate effectively to gain voluntary compliance
• You will be de-escalating situations when dealing with an irate customer
• You will need to learn regulatory code sections and apply them to enforcement actions

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr.
 
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.