Environmental Protection Specialist

Salary : $66,396.00 - $98,088.00 Annually
Location : Denver Metro, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FAA01491-09/30/26
Department: Department of Public Health & Environment
Division: Environmental Health & Sustainability Division
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/22/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: Main Campus: 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: View email address on click.appcast.io
Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.


Department Information
At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.


We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor's discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at 4300 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80246, USA

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Mission - To advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.

Vision - To create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
CDPHE offers:

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to:

Description of Job
The Work Unit:
The Colorado Retail Food Safety Program is responsible for assuring compliance with the requirements of the food laws and regulations of the State. These duties are accomplished through inspections and compliance assistance, by reviewing licensing information, and through plan review submissions and other field-generated information for retail food operations within the State. The program determines the appropriate response, which may include informal or formal actions, such as embargo, condemnation, seizure, injunctive relief and recalls. The program may request additional field investigations, recommend research and develop administrative or judicial enforcement actions, and develop and negotiate civil penalties. The program is also responsible for drafting new regulations, completing State Board of Health documents, and coordinating stakeholder meetings.

What You Will Do:
The purpose is to serve as an environmental protection specialist within the retail food program. In this capacity conduct regulatory inspections, prepare inspection reports, compliance advisories, and orders issuing civil penalty.

Key Responsibilities:

• Determines compliance with applicable food regulations by conducting routine and investigative field inspections.
• Review retail food establishment architectural plans for conformance with regulatory requirements.
• Provides training to retail food establishment operators and LPHA food safety staff.
• Conduct investigations into facilities where complaints are received.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
I3A2T*
Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience. **You must substantiate that you meet the minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application not moving forward in the hiring process. "See resume" will not be accepted. Resumes are considered supplemental information and are not considered in the initial evaluation. In addition, part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.**
Experience Only:
Five (5) years of relevant experience with inspections and compliance assistance or in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

Or

Education and Experience:
A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assigned to this profession such as in a field as biology, physical or health science, environmental health science education or a combination of related education combination of related education in environmental science, and/or inspections and compliance assistance, or a combination of related work in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

1. Experience with conducting regulatory investigations and assessing compliance with regulations.
2. Writing technical reports
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills
4. Experience with applying epidemiologic applications, theory, principles and assessing food safety related risks
5. Demonstrated experience as a trainer

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io. Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io. Email address: View email address on click.appcast.io. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at .

Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• Cover Letter, double spaced. - not to exceed two (2) type written pages.
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.
E-Verify:

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io, option 5.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:


Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01


Are you willing to submit to a pre-employment background check?

• Yes
• No

02


This position requires educational transcripts or diplomas to be submitted if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position or for the substitution of education for some experience. If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications or substitution for this position, a copy of your unofficial (or official) transcript/diploma is required please attach to your application by the application deadline.

• Yes
• No

03


This posting requires a cover letter at the time of application. Have you attached your cover letter? Applications without a cover letter will be considered incomplete and not moved forward in the recruitment process. Cover letters will not be accepted after closing.

• Yes
• No

04


This position requires a valid driver's license. Do you currently possess a valid Colorado driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05


This position requires 50% of monthly travel for inspections with routine overnights. May require out of state travel for training. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06


Are you able to perform the essential functions of this position as listed on this job posting ?

• Yes
• No

07


What interests you most about this position?
08


Describe your experience conducting inspections, site visits or field evaluations. Please include experience you have with inspections or investigations at retail food establishments, assisted living residences, childcare facilities, dairy farms, pasteurization plants, manufactured food facilities, childhood lead poisoning environments, sustainability or green business initiatives, agricultural inspections, compliance monitoring or regulatory enforcement.
09


Provide an example of a time you analyzed technical information or guidance and enforcement procedures.
Required Question