Environmental Health Specialist I/Ii

Salary : $64,355.20 - $82,784.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 23-00046
Division: Communicable Disease Control
Program: CD - Food & Community Safety
Opening Date: 09/15/2023
Closing Date: 10/1/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Are you looking for a place to use your strong background in the sciences with your understanding of the food service industry? If this sounds like you, we invite you to join our fast-paced Food and Community Safety Program. This is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) Food Safety Inspector position.
Some of what you'll do:

• Inspect, monitor and evaluate food preparation and service facilities for compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Educate diverse business operators, employees and the public on Environmental Health issues, regulations, and policies.
• Conduct field and office reviews of plan applications for food service establishments.
• Compose reports and correspondence.

Click here for a detailed
What you bring to the table

• Knowledge of Environmental Health principles and practices.
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply math and science applications to Environmental Health work.
• Skill in analyzing, compiling, recording, and assessing data.
• Skill in planning and organizing work activities to meet established objectives.
• Skill in communicating effectively within a sometimes stressful environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Computer literacy.

Who should apply
A Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science with a minimum of 45 credit hours or 30 semester hours in the basic natural or physical sciences; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Sanitarian within one year of appointment is highly desirable.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Incumbent will be considered and EHS II after they have completed two (2) years' experience in an EHS I position (or equivalent experience credited at time of hire); and presented to Human Resources proof that they have obtained their Certificate of Registration as a Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Work Setting:

• Food establishments, indoor and outdoor public events, and office environment.
• Potential for dealing with dissatisfied or angry customers exists, requiring skills in conflict resolution.
• Work is stressful due to the nature of the job, i.e. Education is always first step but work may require enforcement actions.
• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings. Example: Kitchens are crowded and busy, floors are slippery, they are often noisy and hot, and may have unpleasant smells. You will have to look under equipment or take temperatures in coolers that are low to the ground. You must be aware of your surroundings and take care to avoid potential safety issues (burns, cuts, and falls).
• Routine exposure to regular climatic changes, which may involve heat, humidity, snow, and rain. Example: Inspections take place inside restaurants, outside at parks, and anywhere food is served to the public.
• Exposure to loud noises from working around equipment or machinery may require ear protection. Some venues may be loud like concerts or facilities may have storage near or in mechanical rooms.
• Your office will be set up to provide personal safety, including social distancing, screening, sanitation, disinfection, and masks.

Physical Demands:

• Physical agility and stamina to walk or climb from place to place is required due to the rigorous nature of some of the fieldwork, i.e., stepping into and down from the back of a mobile food unit, un-level ground; climbing up and down stairs and hills; and crouching and/or crawling into small areas.
• Stooping or bending repeatedly throughout the day in the course of performing skilled and non-skilled work.
• Work involves special physical demands such as lifting and carrying 25 - 50 lbs

Tools and Equipment:

• Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.)
• Non-skid shoes
• Vehicles

Travel:

• Driving a vehicle requiring a license.
• Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend or provide training.
• Extensive local travel within the county is required.

Emergencies
The employee is expected to take a leadership role in the Department's Emergency Response Organization when activated. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
Benefits
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers an excellent pay and benefits package, combined with the opportunity to provide innovative Public Health services to our community, making this a rewarding place to work!
Salary: Salary ranges are listed on the job announcement and are based on the unique skills, education, and experience for the position. Appointments are typically made at the starting pay step and are reviewed annually.
Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance: The Department pays a significant portion of these premiums for employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children, with an FTE of .80 or greater. Employees with an FTE between .50 and .80 pay a pro-rated portion of their premiums. Medical, vision and dental coverage begins the first day of the month following date of hire.*
Life Insurance: The Department provides a term Life Insurance policy equal to the employee's annual salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.* Affordable voluntary, spouse, and dependent life insurance is also available.
Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD): The Department provides a base LTD policy which provides 40% income replacement for participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 180 days. Buy-Up LTD is available at group rates and provides 60% income replacement to participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 90 days.
Retirement: Eligible employees participate in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS). TERS is a defined retirement benefit plan funded by both the employee and the Department. We also have a 457 Deferred Compensation retirement program available which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their income on a tax deferred basis.
Additional Benefits include: Generous paid vacation**, sick, personal, and holiday leave**; Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA); Employee Assistance Program; On-site Fitness Center; Commute Trip Reduction program; Donated Leave Program; Direct Deposit; Service Awards; Safety Programs / Rewards, and Executive Benefits Plan.
*Temporary Employees (hired for greater than 3 months): The Department provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, $12,000 base life insurance effective the first of the month following 3 months of employment. **Paid vacation, sick leave and holiday leave accrual begin following 6 months of temporary employment.
Living in Tacoma-Pierce County:
Please Note:

• There may be restrictions to the above benefit programs or policies not listed. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Employee pay is distributed through Direct Deposit. For this reason, employees are required to have an open checking or savings account, at their choice of banking institutions, upon employment.

For further information, call (253) 649-1508.
01
This position requires a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science with a minimum of 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences; or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Please indicate which of the following describes how you meet this requirement:

• Master's degree or higher in Environmental Science with a minimum of 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with a minimum of 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences
• Associate's degree in Environmental Science with a minimum of 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences + 2 full-time years of experience
• Combination of education and experience equivalent to 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences + 4 full-time years of experience
• Combination of education and experience equivalent to less than 45 quarter or 30 semester hours in the basic, natural, and physical sciences + less than 4 full-time years of experience

02
Please list your science credits. Be sure to include the course name, number of credits earned, and whether they are quarter or semester hours.
03
Do you have experience working in a team setting with a diverse population?

• Yes
• No

04
Please tell us why you want to be a food safety inspector.
05
Do you have 3 or more months of work experience, including internships, conducting inspections for compliance with health and safety regulations in any of the following areas:

• Food Service
• Pools
• Schools
• Water
• Solid/Hazardous Waste
• On-Site Sewage
• I have none of this

06
Please describe your experience with Food Safety, including working in a food establishment. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.
07
Do you have experience reading, writing, or applying regulatory code?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you have a Certificate of Registration as a Sanitarian in Washington or an REHS?

• Yes
• No

09
If you can speak, read and write in language(s) other than English, enter the language(s) below. If you are not bilingual, please indicate n/a.
10
This position requires proof of a valid driver's license and acceptable driver's abstract prior to employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question