ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III

Salary : $7,317.09 - $9,988.51 Monthly
Location : 1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26/30J31/04MC
Department: Health
Division: Environmental Health
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Position Description

An Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace

Invites your interest for the position of

Environmental Health Specialist III

$7,036 - $9,604 per Month
Priority Screening Date: May 3, 2026 Exam #: #26/30J31/04MC
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The County of Monterey Health Department's Environmental Health Bureau is seeking individuals to join a dynamic team of professionals to fill two (2) full-time positions of Environmental Health Specialist III.

The Environmental Health Specialists III positions will support the joint initiative with the County of Monterey District Attorney Department to address unpermitted Environmental Health activities and other complex compliance issues. Given the nature of the role, the ideal candidate must demonstrate flexibility in adapting to changing work schedules, including evenings and weekends as needed.


The primary responsibilities of this position include enforcing regulations related to unpermitted food vending, auto body and paint operations, conducting complex Environmental Health complaint investigations, participating in food and water-borne illness investigations, and leading or supporting environmental health emergency and disaster response efforts.


In addition, this role will promote compliance and protect public safety by engaging directly with vendors and community members, providing educational resources, and increasing awareness of food safety regulations and permitting requirements.


As of September 8th, 2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority in accordance with the Flexible Staffing Program and Guidelines.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flyer.

Examples of Duties

• Conducts inspections, investigations, surveys and special studies to determine compliance with state and local health codes and regulations; processes permit applications and issues permits related to water systems, water wells, solid waste sites, garbage franchise districts, housing, septic systems, sewage treatment plants, special event food facilities and related activities.
• 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.
• 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 solution.
• Prepares written reports, memoranda and correspondence; as directed, drafts and finalizes specialty program manuals, grant applications, procedures, and forms.
• 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.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website:


THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures governing environmental health.
• Principles, methods, technology and equipment applied in inspection, analysis, and enforcement of environmental health regulation.
• Depending upon assigned position, incumbents must possess a thorough knowledge of elements related to their specialty: land use, water and wastewater systems, solid waste, noise, infectious waste, food establishments and handling, pools and spas, housing and institutions.

Working Knowledge of:

• Relevant technical knowledge of engineering, chemistry, microbiology, biology, epidemiology, hydrology and geology pertaining to specialty area.

Some Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of personnel management including training, motivation, and workload scheduling.

Skill and Ability to:

• Write effectively to prepare complex written reports, record inspection/investigation findings, and initiate appropriate correspondence and memoranda.
• Speak effectively to individuals and groups from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
• Define problem areas, collect, analyze and evaluate technical data and use findings to develop recommendations and policy proposals.
• Provide technical guidance, lead, train and plan work of others.
• Establish and maintain effective relations with government officials, the public, business and community representatives and other employees

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English and Spanish.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience: Two years performing the duties in a class comparable to an Environmental Health Specialist II with Monterey County.

OR

Education: Completion of all core courses leading to a Master's degree in Environmental Health, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or closely related field.

AND

Experience: One year performing a full range of duties in general environmental health inspections and enforcement actions.

Additional Information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Pursuant to Section 514-534 of the California Health and Safety Code, incumbents must possess a valid Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the state of California, Department of Health Services.
• Serve on-call nights and weekends as assigned
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekend, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency

BENEFITS:

Monterey County offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Apply On-Line at
or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours,


Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:


Monterey County Health Department

Attn: Human Resources Division

1270 Natividad Road

Salinas, CA 93906.

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions
• A valid California State, Department of Public Health certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist

All application materials must be received by the priority screen date of May 3, 2026, for a guaranteed review. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES:
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans' preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the priority screening deadline of May 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST) to


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Michelle Cazola, Human Resources Analyst I, at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Your responses to the questions will be reviewed and scored in a Qualifications Appraisal evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as this information will be critical in the competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your responses to the supplemental questions as incomplete. Note: All application materials submitted will be reviewed along with your supplemental questions and County of Monterey application.

• I have read and understand these instructions.

02


English/Spanish bilingual skills are desirable for this position but not required as a condition of employment. Are you able to read, speak and write effectively in English and Spanish? (Select One)

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a valid Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services? (If yes, you must attach a copy of your certificate with application materials).

• Yes
• No

04


Please describe your experience, education and/or training that demonstrates your knowledge, skill and ability working with complex projects and/or programs and permitted and unpermitted facilities in a recognized public environmental health agency or private environmental health organization.
05


Please describe your experience, education, and/or training that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and ability to conduct inspections, investigations, surveys, and special studies to ensure compliance with state and local health codes and regulations, including processing permit applications and issuing permits related to special event food facilities, and related activities.
Required Question