Environmental Health Specialist III

Salary : $89,648.00 - $121,264.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 2026-0050
Division: Environmental Health
Program: EH - On-Site Sewage/ Water Resources
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Job Summary
Are you looking for a place to apply your knowledgeable background in Environmental Health? Use your professional knowledge, leadership, and technical experience to make a difference in the health of the residents of Pierce County. We invite you to apply for our Environmental Health Specialist III position in Onsite Sewage/Water Resources part of the Environmental Health Division. This is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) position.

This position is the fifth level in the Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) series and works under the direction of an EHS Supervisor or Program Manager. An employee assigned to this classification works independently as a subject matter expert (SME) and technical lead, mentoring and training technical staff. Assignments are general in nature with minimal specificity regarding how to proceed with assignments. Unusual problems or situations may be discussed with a manager depending on the impact.
Position Series

• Permit Technician I
• Permit Technician II
• Environmental Health Specialist I/II
• Environmental Health Specialist III
• EHS Supervisor

Career Path Options
Options to continue your career at the Health Department depend on your interest, education, and training. Possibilities beyond the position series include:

• Program Manager I
• Program Manager II

Essential Functions

• Customer Service: Provide customer service to the public and industry professionals on environmental health topics, applications, permits, applicable fees, and related codes in person, over the phone, and through written communication.
• Conduct and Oversee Complex Inspections and Regulatory Compliance Assessments: Conduct and oversee complex inspections and assessments of permitted facilities, field sites, and regulatory applications (e.g., food establishments, schools, solid waste facilities, land development, plan review) to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Perform comprehensive investigations of various facilities and environmental incidents (e.g., foodborne or waterborne illnesses), including hazardous spills or disease outbreaks.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepare detailed reports and communication, maintain accurate records of inspections, incidents, and data; potentially provide expert testimony in court related to documentation. Accurately input information and documentation into database systems and maintain detailed records.
• Education and Consultation: Provide educational outreach, consultation, and training to communities, businesses, and individuals on environmental health issues, best practices, regulatory requirements, and safe procedures.
• Program Coordination, Training, and Staff Mentorship: Coordinate the activities of an assigned environmental health program, which includes planning, organizing, and coordinating work with the department and with external partners such as federal, state, and local agencies. Provide operational guidance, technical oversight, comprehensive training, mentorship, and review the work of a team of environmental health specialists, pool inspectors, and permit technicians, to include office work, field work, and other aspects of the regulatory process. Document performance to share with the direct supervisor, provide feedback, and often provide input on performance evaluations.
• Contribute Subject Matter Expertise in Policy Development and Program Planning: Assist in the development, recommendation, and interpretation of new or revised regulations, ordinances, and program procedures. Assist in the development of program goals, objectives, and performance measurements, and provide programmatic data to evaluate effectiveness.

Examples of Key Duties
The items in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic, and duties may change based on business needs. Any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Conducts complex field inspections to monitor and evaluate facilities and operations for compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Conducts complex field and office reviews for a variety of plan applications and code review including septic systems, water systems, food service establishments, schools, camps, water recreation facilities, and others.
• Provides complex technical oversight to other Environmental Health Specialists and Technicians as they perform field investigations and plan reviews.
• Serves as technical expert in legal proceedings, depositions, hearings, and public meetings as needed.
• Trains department staff on policies and procedures for program needs.
• Acts as operational lead including mentorship, reviewing work product, and giving input on performance evaluations.
• Acts as lead inspector for high profile sites.
• Composes reports, public health advisory information, and public relations materials for education and dissemination to the public.
• Responds to challenging inquiries and explains complex regulatory requirements to consultants, engineers, land use professionals, and other agencies.
• Gives input on contracts, grants, and program expenditures.
• Answers staff and client questions and concerns to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Works with state and local agencies to develop codes, including cross-state policies.
• Operates various office and field equipment to collect site samples and data.
• Creates process workflows and documentation.
• Interprets and applies relevant laws and regulations to departmental policies and procedures.
• Provides educational outreach to the public and other groups including workshops, newsletters, and public events.
• Composes and presents statistical, narrative, and graphical reports on their area of focus.
• Coordinates with other environmental health programs, agencies, and private industries as needed.
• The work you do might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
• Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
• Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned duties and responsibilities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time and reporting to a location other than the department with different working conditions and physical requirements. You are expected to participate in emergency preparedness activities including our emergency notification system, WA SECURES. Drills and real-world events may take place at any time.
For a complete description of the classification specification

What you bring to the table

• Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs and databases.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the body of work.
• Advanced and technical knowledge of environmental health principles, practices, and techniques.
• Skilled in planning, organizing, and leading work activities to meet established objectives.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, training, and educational outreach.
• Intermediate knowledge of math and science and their application to environmental health principles.
• Skilled in collecting, organizing, analyzing, compiling, recording, and assessing data.
• Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
• Skilled in communication:
  • Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner.
  • Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information.
  • Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations.
  • Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information.
  • Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.

Foundational Competencies

• Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
• Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work inequity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
• Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
• Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
• Cross cultural communication and Engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one's own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department's mission, values, and ethical standards.

Who should apply
The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in environmental science, public health, or other related science field.
• 4 years of experience in an environmental health specialist role.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an EHS role.

We will consider any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Professional Certifications, Licensure, and Other Requirements
We require the following for this classification.

• Valid driver's license and acceptable driver's abstract required prior to employment.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an EHS role.
• Completion of required program specific certifications/training.
  • Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources Washington State License: On-Site Inspector Certificate of Competency Within 2 years of hire.

Desirable experience in the following areas:

• Leading a team.
• Washington State Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Regulations.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter 1 - General Provisions, 2 - On-Site Sewage and 3 - Drinking Water.
• Onsite Sewage related Inspections.
• Staff Training and/or Mentoring.
• Code Application and Interpretation for compliance.
• Accela database.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work Environment

• Work is performed in both inside and outside environments.
• Inside work exposure hazards are limited to those commonly found in government office environments.
• Potential for dealing with dissatisfied or angry customers exists, requires skills in conflict resolution and situational awareness.
• Work may be performed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, snow, and rain, leading to exposure to hazards related to heat or cold exposure.
• Exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, or waste, which if not handled or disposed of appropriately, could cause significant repercussions to the safety and health of the public.
• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings, such as landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities and other waste management facilities that may have significant odor, noise, visibility and vector issues.
• Exposure to loud noises from working around equipment or machinery, generally requiring ear protection.
• Additional safety precautions may be required or available for staff use, such as safety glasses, hardhats, or other PPE as appropriate.
• Work may involve inspections after hours and/or on weekends.
• Work is up to 100% in person.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

• Climbing up and down stairs, hills, and short stepladders.
• Stooping or bending repeatedly throughout the day while performing skilled and non-skilled work.
• Frequently required to perform work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold.
• Physical agility and stamina to walk up to 1/4 miles at a time up to 3 miles per day across various surfaces including unlevel ground, uneven ground, stairs, mud, slippery floors, and wooded and brushy areas.
• This position may require lifting, carrying, pulling, or moving objects up to 10 pounds consistently, 20 pounds frequently, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally.
• Regularly required to sit or stand continuously.
• Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication, including communicating with dissatisfied or angry individuals.
• Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
• Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper and operate a telephone, computer mouse, keyboard, and touch screen tablet.
• Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies and field equipment (listed below).
• Operate a motor vehicle in all lighting conditions and various weather conditions, including rain. Trip durations average 15-45 minutes but may be up to 1.5 hours. Daily drive time may be up to 6 hours total.
• Work effectively when exposed to workplace stressors, such as emotional and/or confrontational individuals.
• Learn, recall, and apply specialized information.
• Regularly maintain awareness of surroundings to identify and address potential safety issues.
• Regularly work effectively in the presence of visual, auditory, or other distractions.

Tools and Equipment

• Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, tablet, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, etc.)
• Requires the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including hard hat, protective clothing, high visibility vests, safety glasses, steel toed work boots, gloves, slip-resistant shoes.
• Requires the use of field equipment (stakes, drills, sampling equipment, cameras, test kits, thermometers, etc.)

Travel

• Extensive travel within the county is required. Additional travel may be required infrequently, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, attend, or provide training.
• Driving a vehicle requiring a license.

for more details on reasonable accommodations, safety, risk management and more.
Benefits
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers an excellent pay and benefits package, combined with the opportunity to provide innovative Public Health services to our community, making this a rewarding place to work!

Salary: Salary ranges are listed on the job announcement and are based on the unique skills, education, and experience for the position. Salary offers are typically made at the starting pay step and are reviewed annually. You will get an annual cost-of-living adjustment that increases the salary range as well as an annual step increase on your anniveristy date. All salary offers are subject to administrative approval.


Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance: The Department pays a significant portion of these premiums for employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children, with an FTE of .80 or greater. Employees with an FTE between .50 and .80 pay a pro-rated portion of their premiums. Medical, vision and dental coverage begins the first day of the month following date of hire.*

Life Insurance: The Department provides a term Life Insurance policy equal to the employee's annual salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.* Affordable voluntary, spouse, and dependent life insurance is also available.

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD): The Department provides a base LTD policy which provides 40% income replacement for participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 180 days. Buy-Up LTD is available at group rates and provides 60% income replacement to participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 90 days.

Retirement: Eligible employees participate in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS). TERS is a defined retirement benefit plan funded by both the employee and the Department. We also have a 457 Deferred Compensation retirement program available which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their income on a tax deferred basis.

Additional Benefits include: Generous paid vacation**, sick, personal, and holiday leave**, Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, On-site Fitness Center, Commute Trip Reduction program, Worksite Wellness Program, Direct Deposit; Service Awards, Safety Program / Rewards, Executive Benefits Plan and more.

*Temporary Employees (hired for greater than 2 months): The Department provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, $12,000 base life insurance effective the first of the month following 2 months of employment. **Paid vacation, sick leave and holiday leave accrual begin following 6 months of temporary employment.

Please Note:

• There may be restrictions to the above benefit programs or policies not listed. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Employee pay is distributed through Direct Deposit. For this reason, employees are required to have an open checking or savings account, at their choice of banking institutions, upon employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For assistance, contact our Office of Human Resources/Risk Management at or View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


This position requires a Bachelor's degree preferable in Environmental Science, Public Health, or other related science fields AND four years experience in an environmental health specialist role AND a Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an EHS role. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years. Indicate how you meet these requirements.

• I have a Master's degree in the specified or related fields and at least three years of the required experience.
• I have a Bachelor's degree in the specified or related fields and at least five years of the required experience.
• I have an Associate's degree in the specified or related fields and at least seven years of the required experience.
• I have less than an Associate's degree and/or less than 7 years of the required experience.

02


Do you have a Certificate of Registration as a Sanitarian in Washington or an REHS?

• Yes
• No
• Other: Can obtain within 2 years of hire.

03


How many years of relevant lead experience do you have?

• 10 or more years of experience.
• 7-9 years of experience.
• 5-6 years of experience.
• 3-4 years of experience.
• 1-2 years of experience.
• Less than 1 year of experience.
• I do not have this experience.

04


Do you have experience in leading an On-Site Sewage team or other Environmental Health program?

• Yes
• No

05


Explain your experience leading an On-Site Sewage or other Environmental Health Team. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.
06


This position will lead On-Site Sewage, Drinking Water and Compliance staff. Please describe your experience in training technical staff?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you have experience implementing regulations; including experience in writing, interpreting, and enforcing regulations?

• Yes
• No

08


Please describe your experience implementing regulations; including experience in writing, interpreting, and enforcing regulation. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.
09


Please indicate areas in which you have a minimum of two years of experience. (Check all that apply)

• Septic Systems
• Plan or Design Reviews
• Wastewater Treatment Field Reviews
• Accela Permitting System
• PALS+ Permitting System
• GIS
• I do not have this experience.

10


Do you have experience developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with community partners or stakeholders?

• Yes
• No

11


Please describe your experience developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with community partners or stakeholders. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.
12


Do you have experience with program maintenance, project and process improvements.

• Yes
• No

13


Describe your experience with program maintenance, project and process improvements.
14


This position requires proof of a valid driver's license and acceptable driver's abstract prior to employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question