Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water Systems

Title: Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $52,969 to $65,000

Pay Band: 4

• Agency: Virginia Department of Health
• Location: Dept of Health

Agency Website: vdh.virginia.gov

• Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the DWSRF 10% set-aside for a year period ending 2026-06-30. The availability of funding is scheduled for review “annually” funded by non-general funds and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.


Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is mandated to establish and enforce safe drinking water regulations. These functions are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. The Environmental Specialist Sr for Public Water Works position provides technical assistance to primarily groundwater waterworks. Core responsibilities include conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks, interpreting applicable federal and state regulations for waterworks owners and operators, offering guidance to help ensure compliance with health and safety standards, assisting waterworks in returning to compliance when violations occur, training operators on the operation and maintenance of waterworks, and providing the public with information on drinking water quality.


Critical duties include:

(1) Conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks;

(2) Interpreting federal and state regulations applicable to waterworks owners and operators;

(3) Providing guidance to owners and operators to ensure they achieve compliance with health and safety standards;

(4) Providing assistance to help waterworks return to compliance in cases where they violate the drinking water standards;

(5) Training operators in the operation and maintenance of waterworks; and

(6) Providing information about drinking water quality to the general public.

Minimum Qualifications

• · Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math
• Knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water
• Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities
• Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance
• Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents
• A valid State Driver’s License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Additional Considerations

• · Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
• Experience in the provision of drinking water and related activities in the areas of enforcement and compliance

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

• Name: Cassandra Diclaro
• Phone: 804.573.1158
• Email: cassandra.diclaro@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.