Environmental Health Specialist II - County of Orange
Orange County, CA
About the Job
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II
In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date:
Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the County of Orange.
THE HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.
THE PROGRAM
Plan Check: Conduct plan review and construction inspection for all retail food facilities and public swimming pools undergoing new construction or remodels throughout the county. These programs work directly with members of the public including owners, architects, and consultants.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
This position will assume specialized tasks within the Plan Check Section. The Environmental Health Specialist II will be assigned the tasks of reviewing and approving construction plans and conducting field inspections for food and pool facilities for compliance with sanitation and public health laws. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting specialized studies, investigations, inspections, and making recommendations as to findings
- Compiling information, evaluating current procedures, and drafting proposed ordinances, division policies, regulations, and guidelines in the area of specialization
- Preparing various reports
- Planning and conducting in-service and public education training programs
- Recommending program goals and assisting in the implementation of County-wide environmental health programs
- Attending and addressing public meetings, educational conferences, and symposiums
- Reviewing and making recommendations involving environmental impact
- Coordinating work efforts with other divisions or outside agencies and assisting supervisors as needed
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following competencies:
Professional & Technical Expertise | Legal & Regulatory Navigation
- Understanding and applying new food safety training concepts, such as Oral Culture Learning, Active Managerial Control, and the Food Drug Administration Voluntary Program Standards as well as the Model Food Code
- Knowledge of laws and regulations related to retail food and public swimming pools and spas
- Knowledge and familiarity of digital plan submission and plan review applications
- Applying analytical skills and consistency for accuracy purposes
- Conducting routine field inspections
- Developing, collaborating, and maintaining working relationships and continuously works to improve relationships, contacts, and networks
- Applying knowledge of building rapport, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques
- Using diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or people
- Leading, directing, and efficiently managing correspondences
- Exemplifying a role as an approachable "educator" as opposed to a traditional "regulator"
- Sharing responsibility and ownership for group accomplishments and shortcomings
- Facilitating, motivating, and supporting others to achieve a common goal or outcome
- Willingness to learn and adapt to feedback, change, and new information
- Staying apprised of new opportunities, techniques, and approaches related to inspections or environmental health
- Ability to multi-task several assignments and effectively prioritizing projects and assignments
- Maintaining adequate preparation time for scheduled meetings/deadlines
- Achieving goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organizing, re-prioritizing and re-planning if needed
- Responding to changing circumstances with a positive attitude
- Communicating effectively and professionally both orally and in writing with internal and external partners and during public speaking engagements
- Communicating accurately to convey both substance and intent
- Presenting ideas and complex materials clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have possession of A valid certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California.
Applicants must have possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Employees in this class will be required to use their own personal vehicle.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications and physical, mental, and environmental conditions for the Environmental Health Specialist II.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List
HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Source : County of Orange