Senior Environmental Health Specialist

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

The Community Development Agency (CDA) has a long history of innovation and leadership. CDA is a multifunctional agency shaping many aspects of environment and communities, organized into five mission-oriented divisions: Planning, Building and Safety, Environmental Health Services, Housing and Federal Grants, and Sustainability. CDA’s mission is to promote, protect, and advance healthy, safe, and equitable communities.

Environmental Health Services is a Division in the Community Development Agency: The mission of Marin County Environmental Health Services is to protect public health and the well-being of all Marin County residents, workers, and visitors by preventing injury and the spread of disease. We identify potentially dangerous and unhealthy situations and promote sound environmental health practices through education and the enforcement of public health statutes and regulations.

The Senior Environmental Health Specialist (SEHS) acts as the lead and the subject matter expert in their assigned program. For the current vacancy, the SEHS will focus heavily on plan check operations, conducting comprehensive reviews of building and architectural plans, and performing critical preliminary and final construction field inspections to ensure projects meet environmental health standards. This role requires the ability to successfully manage a high volume of plan check submittals under tight, time-sensitive agency deadlines. 

In addition to plan review, the SEHS performs general environmental health duties. They serve as a consumer protection and food safety expert responsible for understanding and interpreting complex regulations and guidelines. They possess in-depth knowledge of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks, effectively educating staff and the public. Across all Consumer Protection program areas, the SEHS will conduct general inspections, investigate complaints, represent the County to the community and business owners, assist management with code interpretation, help develop department policies, and work closely with local and state officials to gain compliance. Please note that overtime, night, and weekend work is required for events permit enforcement. 

Fixed-Term: 
This is a three (3) Year fixed-term position. This position is budgeted for three (3) Years. However, there may be opportunities for the hired individual during this time-period to move to a regular, ongoing position as other vacancies or promotional opportunities occur, or the position may be funded and convert to an ongoing position.  Fixed-term employment ends when the position’s funding finishes, or the work is completed. Employees in these positions are exempt from the County’s policies regarding lay-off order and reduction-in-force rights.The Highly Qualified Candidate possesses technical experience reviewing commercial building plans, interpreting architectural or engineering schematics, and conducting construction-phase field inspections. They have experience handling a large volume of plan submissions while consistently hitting strict turnaround times. Additionally, the ideal candidate possesses strong general knowledge and field experience in consumer protection and other environmental health programs. They are highly organized, customer-focused, and possess superior conflict resolution and communication skills (both oral and written). This individual effectively utilizes technology for record-keeping and research, works well with outside agencies, exhibits a passion for environmental health, and has a strong commitment to public health. Experience leading a program and/or staff is a plus.

Our Highly Qualified Candidate has: 

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of architectural plan review, equipment specifications, and construction materials for commercial and food facilities.
• Building, plumbing, and mechanical codes as they interface with environmental health standards and design layouts. 
• Scientific principles of biology, chemistry, and environmental science used to evaluate public health risks and maintain environmental sanitation standards.
• Roles and procedures of external agencies such as building, fire, and sanitary districts as they interface with environmental health approvals and clearances.
• Statutes, regulations, and local ordinances governing environmental health, public health safety, and retail food facility compliance.
• State and local laws governing the definition, enforcement, and correction of public health nuisances.
• Methods and techniques for identifying public health risk factors, conducting regulatory inspections, and enforcing compliance to eliminate environmental hazards.
• Techniques for managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate regulatory records, and meeting strict agency deadlines
• Advanced problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques used to navigate complex regulatory disputes, de-escalate tense field situations, and guide uncooperative builders or operators toward voluntary code compliance.
• Ability to successfully navigate permit tracking software and utilize standard computer applications, including word processing and email systems.

Ability to:

• Review, interpret, and evaluate complex architectural plans, blueprints, equipment specifications, and construction materials for commercial and food facilities to ensure compliance.
• Identify discrepancies where building, plumbing, and mechanical codes intersect or conflict with environmental health standards and facility design layouts.
• Apply scientific principles of biology, chemistry, and environmental science to accurately assess public health risks and formulate data-driven solutions for environmental sanitation standards.
• Coordinate and streamline cross-agency clearances, maintaining effective working relationships with building officials, fire inspectors, sanitary district, and other agency personnel.
• Analyze regulatory situations accurately and take effective enforcement action based on state statutes, local health ordinances, and retail food facility regulations.
• Investigate and document public health nuisances, prepare legally sound reports, and execute formal enforcement or abatement procedures.
• Conduct rigorous field inspections to detect unsanitary conditions, identify risk factors, and secure mandatory corrections using specialized investigative techniques.
• Manage, prioritize, and track a high volume of plan check submittals and competing project deadlines while maintaining meticulous regulatory records in digital permit software.
• Employ advanced communication, mediation, and de-escalation strategies to handle tense field situations, resolve complex regulatory disputes, and guide uncooperative builders or operators toward voluntary compliance.
• Instruct, mentor, and coach staff, business owners, and the public on complex environmental health inspection methods, code interpretations, and correction procedures.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of physical, biological and sciences used in environmental sanitation.
• Functions and operation of related agencies.
• State and local laws and regulations governing public health.
• Penal code provisions relating to public health nuisances.
• Methods and techniques of investigation, inspection and resolving unsanitary conditions.
• General principles and practices of environmental health.
• Principles and techniques of organization.
• Environmental research and statistical methods.
• Design of research studies such as data sources and collection methods necessary to obtain information on various public health and sanitation programs and problems.
• Principles and techniques of problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Basic computer applications including word processing and e-mail computer systems (depending upon assignment, more may be required).

Ability to:

• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and letters.
• Plan, organize and carry out research.
• Analyze and evaluate data and make recommendations based on findings.
• Detect unsanitary conditions and public health hazards and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance or legal enforcement.
• Instruct in the methods and procedures of environmental health inspections and correction of said conditions.
• Apply knowledge of a specialized and complex nature.
• Interpret public health needs and goals to others.
• Work effectively with issues in which there are inherent tensions and conflicts.
• Communicate and interact in situations requiring instruction, persuasion, coaching.
• Meet and deal effectively with the public and help in resolving conflicts and solving problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
Two (2) years of full-time environmental health experience performing duties equivalent to a Registered Environmental Health Specialist which demonstrates possession of the listed knowledge and abilities.
 
 One (1) year of experience working in the Environmental Health and Safety field in California is required.
 
 A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Public Health, Health Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field is highly desirable.
 
 Certificates and Licenses
 Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the California Department of Public Health.

For any questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Stephen Schoengarth, Human Resources Analyst, at 415-473-6946.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list.  The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

 
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095.