Environmental Health Specialist IV – Consumer Protection Programs (Open & Promotional)

NOTE: This recruitment was amended on November 10, 2025 to include the tobacco program under the Consumer Protection Programs. 

San Mateo County Health is seeking a well-qualified individuals for the position of Environmental Health Specialist IV - Consumer Protection Programs. Environmental Health Specialist will receive general supervision and provide lead direction in performing various countywide environmental health inspection and enforcement activities in one of the several specialized technical areas such as food sanitation, recreational water, tobacco, and housing.
  
There is currently one regular vacancy that will function as a Food/Pool/Tobacco Program lead within the Environmental Health Division Consumer Protection Program, located in San Mateo, but the position will include travel/driving throughout the county to perform duties of the job.  
  
 Environmental Health Services ensures a safe and healthy environment in the County's 20 cities and unincorporated areas through education, monitoring and enforcement of a variety of regulatory programs, as well as ongoing services to the community.
 
Duties within the Consumer Protection Programs include:  

• Lead specialized programs within the Consumer Protection Programs, such as Food and Pool Program, Tobacco, Cottage Food Operations, Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO), Temporary Food Events, Mobile Food Facilities, and Certified Farmers Markets.
• Lead quality assurance, quality control and standardization functions.
• Conduct compliance inspections of programs and projects within the Consumer Protection Programs as assigned.
• Lead or provide direction in the investigation of citizen complaints.
• Lead and implement special projects.
• Set program standards, coordinate activities with various County and City Departments, collaborate with California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health ad hoc committees and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will possess:  

• Forward thinking; use of innovation for program improvement goals and implementation. 
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, communication and technical skills in all programs served. 
• Experience leading and motivating a team.
• Experience working with diverse members of the community and other government agencies.
• An understanding of retail food construction design, and facility requirements; inspections of retail food facilities, temporary event/certified farmer's market booths and pools/spas.
• Working knowledge of FDA Standards; California Retail Food Code; California Department of Food Agriculture Guidelines; and Title 22 and 24 of the California Building Code.
• Experience related to performing inspections, investigations and research for an environmental health program or sanitation program in a regulatory agency.
• Ability to travel to different sites in San Mateo County to conduct inspections and investigations; this is critical to the position.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:   

• Provide lead direction, training and work review to assigned staff; organize and assign work, coordinate complex projects, and follow up to ensure completion of assigned work.
• Provide input into selection decisions, performance evaluations and disciplinary matters.
• Serve as technical expert and staff consultant in area of specialization.
• Inspect establishments and properties in assigned area for compliance with environmental health laws and regulations.
• Conduct specialized studies, program audits, investigations and inspections and make recommendations; maintain a program of code compliance and implementation in the area of specialization.
• Develop, standardize, and update staff inspection techniques.
• Investigate and resolve citizen complaints, acting as a liaison with community groups, government agencies and private business.
• Compile data, evaluate procedures and draft proposed legislation and guidelines; may review and make recommendations on environmental impact reports.
• Plan and conduct in service and public education training programs.
• Interpret regulations and provide advice relating to area of specialization to city officials, citizen groups, business owners and others.
• Maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence.
• May act as expert witness in court proceedings.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• The area of specialty, including its scientific background, technology, principles, methods, investigative techniques and problems.
• Laws, regulations and codes governing the assigned area of specialization.
• Sanitation provisions in the Health and Safety Code.
• Government agencies, community organizations and business establishments as they relate to environmental health.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, direct and coordinate a program of research, study, investigation and enforcement in the specialized area of responsibility.
• Interpret laws, regulations and data.
• Define difficult problem areas, analyze complex data and make valid recommendations.
• Advise and instruct others on compliance requirements in specialized area.
• Enforce local ordinances and state law.
• Work independently.
• Keep complex and accurate records.
• Speak effectively and make public presentations.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of journey level experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, including one year of experience in a regulatory agency in the designated option:
  Option 1 - Water, Sewage, Land Use and Cross Connection Control
  Option 2 - Vector Control and Solid/Infectious Waste
  Option 3 - Housing and Institutions
  Option 4 - Food Sanitation and Consumer Protection

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a California certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score

A copy of a current California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) is to be submitted with the application.
 
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
 
This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department. 
  
Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process. 
 
About the County  
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.