ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I

The salary for this position is: $5,147 - $6,847 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist I for our Environmental Health Division. 

Are you dedicated to creating healthier communities and a cleaner environment? We’re looking for a motivated and driven Environmental Health Specialist I to join our dynamic On-site Sewage System/Land Use Section. In this vital role, you will be on the front lines of safeguarding our communities—educating the public, enforcing health regulations, and making a real impact to improve conditions that may otherwise lead to pollution and/or disease transmission. If you are passionate about protecting the environment and public health, we would love to hear from you!

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evaluate sewage system reports at the time of property sale and review sewage system permits and residential building permits for compliance with the Sanitary Code, State Code, and applicable policies
• Conduct final on-site sewage system installation inspections, and work with professionals and applicants to resolve installation issues 
• Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, or contamination
• Work with on-site sewage system professionals, property owners, and public officials to ensure failing on-site systems are repaired and brought into compliance
• Review applications, plans, and parcels for proposals in coordination with partner agencies
• Review and manage records, and evaluate on-site sewage systems for compliance with operation and maintenance requirements
• Provide technical assistance and education in-person and over the phone to the public and the Building Development Center
• Assist with program development, drafting policies, and making recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance/quality control standards; Document inspection results and prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems
• Conduct environmental studies by gathering, evaluating, and reporting on data, including writing technical reports
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

To view the full job classification, click here: Environmental Health Specialist I

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Work is performed in a quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington and outdoors. Employees in this classification may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions, and walking in rough terrain, or boating in rough waters. Physical hazard may result from working in proximity of heavy equipment and inspecting deep excavations subject to cave-in. Employees may be exposed to pathogenic bacteria. Heavy lifting in excess of 50 lbs. may be required.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings. Travel to worksites to perform inspections required.
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

 

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

 

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology or related field.  
• One year of professional environmental health work experience requiring extensive public contact. Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Must have current Washington State Driver's License.

 

DESIRED SKILLS: 

• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of environmental health science, biology, epidemiology, hydrology, and soils science
• Knowledge of and experience with soils and on-site sewage system regulations, permitting, and evaluation
• Knowledge of the Health Code and related federal and state laws and regulations

Respect and Organizational Culture

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

• Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

 

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569

 

This position is:

• Represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

 

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Possess a current Washington State Driver License or have an appropriate accommodation
• Please note: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)

 

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

 

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.