Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Environmental Health Specialist I/II

The Kings County Department of Public Health is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of: Environmental Health Specialist I/II

Level I: $55,723 - $67,995 Annually Level II: $61,568 - $75,150 Annually

We are seeking Environmental Health Specialists I/II to help protect community health across a wide range of environmental programs. Incumbents will conduct inspections, enforce health and safety regulations, respond to environmental concerns, and provide hands-on guidance in areas like consumer protection, hazardous materials, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and land use. Whether you're building your skills or working independently as a registered specialist, you'll make a real impact in keeping our community safe and compliant.

We encourage you to apply today to join a dedicated team serving our community!

Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Performs regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized environmental health regulations, rules, and policies related to environmental health program areas.
• Inspects retail food establishments, public swimming pools and spas, water systems and medical waste facilities for compliance with applicable health codes; visually inspects for conformance with applicable codes and regulations; collects required food and water samples; follows up on complaints; writes and issues violation notices.
• Conducts housing, detention facilities, and school inspections and issues corrective action and violation notices.
• Provides educational information to property and business owners, employees, and the public on environmental health regulations and safety; instructs food service workers on the proper handling of food.
• Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
• Compiles data for and prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations, and studies completed.
• Provides general information to the regulated community and public regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations; receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding division activities and programs.
• Confers with officials of other public agencies and persons with private business.
• Participates in community education and public information efforts.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.

Experience:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: None required.
• Environmental Health Specialist II: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Environmental Health Specialist I with Kings County.

Licenses and Certifications

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: Possession of a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services.
• Environmental Health Specialist II: Possession of a valid California Department of Health Services certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist to be maintained throughout employment.

Special Requirements:

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators.

Selection Process

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include the following:

(1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or

(2) Written examination (pass/fail) and/or

(3) Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.

Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.

Veteran's Preference Available Upon Request Veteran's Preference Application You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.

Tentative Recruitment Process Final Date to Apply: October 30, 2026 Human Resources Oral Boards: TBD Department Interview: TBD

Benefits

Please click here to view the current General Unit MOU.

Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California. Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification: Miscellaneous - 2% at 62 Safety - 2.7% at 57 If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013: Miscellaneous - 2% at 55 Safety - 3% at 55 The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.

Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable MOU.

Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the MOU for information on the paid holiday closure.

Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.

Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour