Environmental Health Specialist III

Salary : $94,952.00 - $125,632.00 Annually
Location : 481 Fourth Street - Hollister, CA. 95023, CA
Job Type: Regular, F-T
Job Number: 02248
Department: Health & Human Services Agency
Division: Public Health
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description


Under general direction, to conduct sanitary inspections and investigations in the enforcement of Federal, State, County, and local environmental health, safety, and hazardous materials laws, rules, regulations, and standards; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level and lead class in the Environmental Specialist class series. Incumbents in this class are Registered Environmental Health Specialists and conduct investigations in a broad range of Environmental Health areas on an independent basis. Incumbents in this class are expected to serve in a stand-by capacity for dealing with hazardous materials emergencies.

REPORTS TO
Public Health Officer, or designee

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
This is a lead position and may supervise technical and support staff

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; crawl through various areas on hands and knees; stand, walk or crouch on narrow and slippery surfaces; climb ladders, stairs, and scaffolding; ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX; use of combustible gas meter, chlorine and PH spectrophotometer, and other applicable environmental monitoring and sampling devices.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is usually performed in office, outdoor, and driving environments; some work is performed in varying temperatures and humidity; exposure to high levels of noise; some exposure to dust; exposure to hazardous waste and materials; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Example of Duties


(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

Conducts inspections to secure compliance with Federal, State and local sanitation laws and regulations governing food handling establishments, sewage disposal systems, substandard housing, land use, swimming pools, recreational health facilities, water supply systems, solid waste management, public nuisances, toxic/hazardous waste materials, zoning, underground storage tanks, and other areas;
Recommends changes and provides instruction for deficiency and violation corrections; advises food handlers and restaurant operators on correct sanitation methods; conducts special investigations in response to public complaints; Conducts investigation of animal bites and establishes animal q;uarantine;Conducts sanitation surveys and confers with local officials on sanitation problems; conducts investigations of insect nuisances or infestations;
Works with solid waste issues and problems, including illegal garbage dumping; Makes inspections of public and private recreational facilities and swimming pools; Makes housing inspections to determine health and safety compliance with appropriate laws and standards; Inspects facilities to minimize future health threats;Takes water, sewage, soil, and waste samples, interpreting data; interprets environmental health laws and regulations for the public; Reviews plans for new subdivisions, conducting on-site inspections to ensure suitable water and sewage facilities;
Reviews and recommends changes in building plans to comply with Environmental Health regulations and standards;
Conducts on-site evaluations of sewage disposal systems; Participates in the development of policies, procedures, regulations and ordinances related to an area of specialization; Investigates complaints and evaluates effectiveness of program operations;
Determines problem areas, collects and analyzes data and recommends systemic solutions.
Serves as subject matter resource to other professional staff providing specialized knowledge and recommending solutions to complex problems that are consistent with program goals;
May review and comment on impact of proposed ordinances, legislation and regulations.
Provides technical program information and policy interpretations for the public business and professional representative and other agency staff; Represents the department on program matters at meetings, commissions, committees, boards and public hearings.
Coordinates inspections, special studies and permit reviews with pertinent staff and officials from separate jurisdictions, districts, state and federal agencies.
Prepares written reports, memoranda and correspondence;
As directed, drafts and finalizes specialty program manuals, grant applications, procedures, and forms.
Prepares and presents in-service and public education programs for business and civic groups, professional staff and civic officials.
As directed, may assign, review and coordinate the work of Specialist level staff including monitoring timely completion of workload, answering technical and procedural questions, reviewing work methods and products, and training employees.
Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications


Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Three years of experience performing a variety of environmental investigations and inspections.
AND
Education equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with a major in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Special Requirements
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Possession of a valid Environmental Health registration issued by the State Department of Health Services.
Knowledge Of/Ability To


Knowledge of:
Policies and procedures of the Environmental Health Unit and the Public Health Department.
Laws, rules, regulations, requirements and procedures governing environmental heath inspection and enforcement.
Chemical, biological, physical, and environmental sciences.
Principles and practices of environmental health, including inspection, review, compliance, and consultation methods and practices.
Functions and operations of State and Federal environmental health agencies.
Sampling techniques and standards.
Computers and software used in environmental inspections and investigations.

Ability to:
Perform a variety of environmental health and hazardous waste investigations, inspections, and enforcement.
Collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data, reaching valid conclusions.
Read and interpret and apply policies, regulations, and procedures regarding environmental health inspections and compliance.
Prepare a variety of technical reports.
Perform research and analytical work.
Operate a variety of office and technical equipment and computers in the performance of environmental health inspections and investigations.
Provide instruction, guidance, and consultation on environmental problems.
Effectively represent the Environmental Health Unit of the Public Health Department in contacts with the public, other County staff, and other government agencies.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.
SAN BENITO COUNTY BENEFITS

Employees in regular, full-time positions will be eligible to participate in the following employee benefits:

Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly.
Insurance Deductions: The insurance and benefits deductions will take place bi-monthly, normally the first two pay periods of the month. Bank/Credit union and 457 Retirement Deferrals deductions will take place bi-weekly.

Vacation: Based on continued years of service. Maximum accruals may apply depending on the bargaining unit.

• < 4 years of service = 10 days per year
• 5 to 9 years of service = 15 days per year
• 10 to 14 years of service = 18 days per year
• 15 + years of service = 20 days per year

Holidays: 13.5 holidays (including 3 floating) for most employees.

Sick Leave: 15 days per year. Maximum accruals apply.

Health Plan: Comprehensive medical and dental plans available for full-time employees. Employees appointed to a regular position at a time base of 50% or higher are also eligible to participate.

Vision Plan: MES Vision Plan offered which offers exams, frames and lenses on a 12-24-24 basis. The County pays for employee coverage and the employee can pay for dependent coverage. This benefit is available to FULL-TIME employees only.

Employee Assistance Program: The County provides confidential short-term counseling services to employees and dependents. Any regular employee is eligible for up to a total of three (3) hours of counseling sessions within any six (6) month period per County employee. Up to a maximum of six (6) sessions per calendar year are allowed per family

Life Insurance/AD&D: County pays for a $20,000 BASIC life insurance policy for each employee. Two other VOLUNTARY life insurance plans available, including AD&D.

Disability Insurance: General, Confidential and Management groups participate in the State Disability Insurance.

Credit Union: Membership to the Santa Clara Federal Credit Union is available to San Benito County employees.

Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in tax-deferred retirement savings. Three 457 plans are available. Employees may rollover funds from prior 401k or 457 accounts. IRS limits apply.

Retirement: Regular employees will be enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Employee contributions vary according to bargaining unit.

All New Miscellaneous (non-Safety) employees enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system participate in the full formula of 2% at 62. Miscellaneous employees participate in Social Security in addition to CalPERS.

New Safety employees are covered by the safety full formula 2.7% at 57. Safety employees contribute 9% of the employee contribution. Safety employees do not participate in Social Security.

Supplemental Insurance: Employees may participate in various AFLAC plans such as accident, disability, and cancer insurances.

Additionaly, employees can enroll into a pre-tax cafeteria plan and flexible spending accounts including Unreimbursed Medical ($2500) and Dependent Care ($5000).
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Formula Local MISC 2% @ 62 for New PERS Members

Social Security (non-safety)

Vacation Based on Continued Years of Service

Sick Leave 15 Days Annually

Floating Holiday

457 Deferred Compensation

Credit Union

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Group Life Insurance

Additional Optional Life Insurances & AD&D

Tuition Reimbursement
01


I understand all County employees will be required to take an Oath of Office and will be called upon to act as Disaster Service Workers, when needed.

• Yes

02


Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Your responses to the questions must be supported by both the work experience listed on your application as well as your resume. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Answers such as "see resume" or "see above" will remove you from consideration. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a valid California Driver's License? If no, are you able to obtain a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a four-year college degree with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you currently possess a valid Environmental Health registration issued by the State Department of Health Services?

• Yes
• No

06


How many years of professional experience do you have performing environmental health investigations and inspections?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5-7 years
• More than 7 years

07


Please describe your professional experience conducting environmental health investigations and inspections. Include the types of inspections or investigations performed, your level of responsibility, and the applicable laws, regulations, or standards you worked with.
Required Question