Environmental Health Program Supervisor (Open & Promotional)

The Environmental Health Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Program Supervisor. Program Supervisors, under direction, supervise, direct, organize, manage, evaluate, audit, and provide accountability for one or more Environmental Health programs in the consumer protection (food, water, housing, vector control, land use, pools, solid waste, infectious waste, and cross connections) or hazardous materials/hazardous waste areas.

Currently, there are two regular vacancies in the Environmental Health Services Division's Consumer Protection Food/Pool Programs and Waste Programs. These positions are located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the county to perform the duties of the job.

The position in the Consumer Protection Food/Pool Program supervises staff that inspect food sold in markets, restaurants, schools, mobile catering facilities, and special events; educate the public and businesses about proper sanitation and food handling; follow-up on complaints and reports of food-borne illness; provide information on food establishment compliance; inspect public recreational water areas such as swimming pools/spas for health and safety compliance; and verify that businesses selling tobacco products have the appropriate permits.

The position in the Waste Programs supervises staff that inspect solid waste operations such as landfills, transfer stations, Post-Closure Landfill Development projects, medical waste generators, body art facilities and practitioners, and massage establishments. This position also supervises household hazardous waste collection operations for residents and small businesses and implements the County ‘s Safe Medicine Disposal Ordinance.

The ideal candidate is:

• Enthusiastic for and dedicated to public service.
• Experienced in working for a regulatory agency with a working knowledge of California Retail Food Code (California Health and Safety Code Division 104, Part 7), FDA Standards, California Swimming Pool Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 22 Division 4).
• Experienced in working for a Local Enforcement Agency with working knowledge of solid waste regulatory requirements (California Code of Regulations, Title 14 and 27), the Safe Body Art Act (California Health and Safety Code Division 104, Part 15, Chapter 17), the Medical Waste Management Act (California Health and Safety Code, Division 104, Part 14), and County Code for massage establishments, safe medicine disposal and body art. Experienced in directing hazardous waste operations, ensuring compliance with State requirements and incorporating safety practices.
• At least three years of experience related to performing inspections, investigations, and research for an environmental health program in a regulatory agency.
• Experience in leading and motivating a team.
• Approachable and politically astute with a supervisory style that quickly fosters trust, loyalty, respect and commitment from employees.
• An experienced REHS with a thorough understanding of the full range of issues, practices and regulations related to consumer protection.
• An innovative leader who has collaborated with other agencies with positive outcomes that benefited public health and public education.
• Technologically savvy and knowledgeable of electronic field inspection systems and other computer-based technologies utilized by regulatory agencies.
• Highly focused and organized, capable of establishing and implementing program budgets.
• An excellent problem-solver with superior oral and written communication skills.
• A productive team member, willing and able to coordinate closely with other program supervisors to ensure a standard and efficient implementation of programs.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage, audit, and standardize activities in assigned program area.
• Within a team concept, organize and supervise the activities of professional staff.
• Participate in the hiring of assigned staff, recommending selection for management approval.
• Evaluate employee performance, counsel employees, and effectively recommend initial disciplinary actions and other personnel decisions.
• Assist in training and orientation of new personnel.
• Evaluate program needs and recommend budget changes and allocations.
• Keep current on developments in field of expertise through participation in professional organizations, attending training programs, and reviewing current legislation.
• Develop/maintain program guides for assigned program area.
• Maintain liaison with federal, state and local officials regarding standards and regulations; serve as advisor to agencies, commissions and other groups on environmental health issues and problems.
• Make presentations to city, county, and special district councils/boards, citizen groups, business owners and others on environmental health issues and programs.
• Interpret and enforce state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and codes in areas of environmental health pertaining to assigned program area.
• Evaluate workload of personnel and effectiveness of program in assigned area and prepare reports with recommendations for program modifications.
• Review proposed legislation; prepare and review administrative and technical reports and studies reports and studies.
• Confer with management on significant program issues, needs, conflicts, problems and accomplishments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• The environmental health provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, and the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health Services pertaining to environmental health standards and local ordinances.
• Public health/environmental health inspection and investigation principles, practices, and administrative procedures.
• The principles and techniques of program management.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, organize and supervise the work of others.
• Manage programs in a team environment.
• Train others in the principles and techniques of enforcement work.
• Define difficult problem areas, analyze complex data and make valid recommendations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Speak effectively and make public presentations.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence.

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

• Four years increasingly responsible experience as an Environmental Health Specialist or Hazardous Materials Specialist, which includes two years experience in a regulatory agency.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within two years from date of hire.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California driver license or equivalent.

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 or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

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 above. 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. 

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Week of November 2, 2026
Civil Service Panel Interviews: Week of November 9 or 16, 2026

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. 

County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. 

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

 Talent Acquisition Contact: Debbie Kong (10012026) (Environmental Health Program Supervisor - J007)