ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST (NON-CAREER)

DESCRIPTION

The City of Long Beach, Department of Health and Human Services is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist (Non-Career) position in the Environmental Health Bureau. Reporting to an Environmental Health Specialist IV and the Environmental Health Operations Officer, the Environmental Health Specialist (Non-Career) will independently perform duties in Food Safety or Water Quality Programs. Non-Career employees are allowed a maximum of 1,600 work hours available over a 12-month period, and are considered temporary, at-will employees who are not typically eligible for benefits. However, Non-Career employees may qualify for health coverage and sick leave accruals subject to applicable federal and state provisions. These positions will be located at the Main Health Department, located at 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Enforce applicable local, state, and federal laws at the regulated facilities;
• Conduct scheduled, surprise, and special inspections of regulated facilities to promote environmental health and safety;
• Communicate and interact in situations requiring instruction, persuasion, and counseling;
• Issue health permits to facilities that meet the minimum standards and requirements;
• Actively look for unpermitted facilities to achieve compliance with the requirements and receive permit approval;
• Investigate and take corrective action on reported complaints and respond to operators’ and citizens’ inquiries in a timely manner;
• Use measuring devices, statistical analysis, and methods to evaluate and improve the level of environmental conditions;
• Prepare correspondences and inspection reports to document findings and results;
• Review inspection reports and other regulatory documents for accuracy, quality assurance, and to increase standardization within the program;
• Initiate and participate in the prosecution of environmental health cases of non-compliance with public health laws and regulations by completing inspection and investigation reports, securing evidence, taking and collecting photographs, preparing cases for and attending office hearings, and conferring with city Attorney or Prosecutor;
• Maintain accurate and current data within Environmental Health and city database system;
• Perform the duties of the after-hour response on a rotating basis as scheduled;
• Respond to emergency calls within the designated time;
• Participate in educational outreach to public and regulated facilities;
• Participate in coordinated efforts with other city staff and/or other agencies to investigate and achieve compliance;
• Maintains rapport with community organizations and may serve as a member of the organization's formal structure to provide guidance on environmental health-related problems;
• Participate in conferences, group discussions, and individual interviews;
• Define problem areas, collect, interpret, and evaluate data and draw valid conclusions;
• Plan and conduct in-service and public education training programs, assist with staff training, recommend program goals, and assist in implementation;
• Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. Copy of diploma or transcripts denoting degree conferment required.
• Valid State of California Environmental Health Specialist Certificate (Proof of Certification Required) or Evidence of Acceptance to take the next California examination for Environmental Health Specialist.
• Valid motor vehicle operator license. (Required to obtain a California motor vehicle operator license within 6 months of employment if license is out of state. A DMV driver history report printout required during onboarding).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional experience conducting environmental health inspections and/or working for an environmental health agency.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish Preferred)

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL DEMONSTRATE

• Ability to work independently, be flexible, and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and populations by consistently exercising tact, good judgment, and a proactive, problem-solving style.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to deescalate and resolve conflict effectively.
• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers including email, internet, and office productivity software (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel).

SELECTION PROCEDURE