Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor

Environmental Health Specialist "EHS" Supervisor

Are you an experienced leader with a deep understanding of on-site sewage and water resource regulations? Join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist "EHS" Supervisor. We are seeking two dedicated individuals for our On-Site Sewage and Water Resources Program. This role is perfect for a leader who enjoys training staff in code interpretation and compliance while overseeing critical field inspections. You will play a key role in protecting and improving the health of all people in Pierce County.

The Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) Supervisor is a first-line supervisor of employees involved in inspecting, monitoring, and evaluating field sites and facilities for compliance with health and safety regulations. Duties include facilitating administrative hearings, variances, and waivers within a regulatory environment and providing supervision and training to staff. This position works within the Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources program and primarily supervises staff who review septic system designs, assess compliance with environmental and certified professional regulations, approve drinking water sources, and review land use applications.

This position is the supervisor level of the Environmental Health Specialist series and works under the direction of a Program Manager. An employee assigned to this classification works independently supervising the environmental health team and has considerable latitude for independent judgement under minimal supervision. 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. Supervision and Performance Management: Plan, prioritize, assign, and review the work of a team that includes but is not limited to environmental health specialists, pool inspectors, and permit technicians, to include office work, field work, and other aspects of the regulatory process. Investigate and resolve interpersonal issues in a timely manner. Document performance, provide feedback, conduct formal evaluations, and initiate disciplinary actions in collaboration with Human Resources, Program Manager, and division leadership. Mentor, coach, and develop direct reports and identify areas of opportunity, growth, and recognition. Recruit, hire, train, and model appropriate behavior. Develop Policies, Procedures, and Operational Plans and Guidelines: Establish operating procedures and guidelines for program activities. Support Program Manager to develop program plans, ensure deliverables are met, and monitor program progress. Assist Program Manager in recommendation of new ordinances, rules, or regulations. Serve as Subject Matter Expert at local, state, or federal committees or meetings. Quality Assurance, Control, and Improvement: Ensure employees comply with local, state, and federal codes, grant requirements, department policies and procedures, and legal guidance. Evaluate operations, processes, and outcomes. Make recommendations to the Program Manager on process and service improvements. Oversee the maintenance of accurate records, data, and documents related to program work. Technical Assistance and Complex Problem Solving: Provide advanced technical consultations and problem solving. Handle and resolve complex complaints, non-compliance issues, and technical problems that require advanced knowledge and judgment. Conduct advanced application reviews.

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.

Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs, databases Intermediate knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the body of work, including wage and hour law. Intermediate knowledge of Department policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreement. Intermediate knowledge of environmental health principles and practices. Knowledge of program planning and development rules, policies, and procedures. Skilled in planning, organizing and leading work activities to meet established objectives. Skilled in coaching, mentoring, training, and educational outreach. Skilled in analyzing 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.

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.

Bachelor's degree, preferably in environmental science, public health, or other related science field. 4 years of experience in an environmental health specialist role. 2 years of experience as a supervisor or lead required. 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 Environmental Health Specialist role. Completion of required program specific certifications/training (see below) Desirable Experience in the following areas: Leading and supervising 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. Program - Required Certification or Training - Estimated Timeframe to Complete Food and Community Safety - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Certification Program, CPSI | Certification | National Recreation and Park AssociationORCPO for Operators - Pool & Hot Tub AllianceORCertified Food Safety Manager Professional Food Manager Certificate AND FDA- Standardization- Food Safety Inspector- Standardization of Retail Food Safety Inspection Personnel | FDA - Within 2 years of hireWithin 1 year of hireWithin 1 year of hireWithin 3 years of hire Natural and Built Environment - Asthma Educator CertificationORHealthy Housing Principles Certification | Building Performance Institute, Inc. - Within 2 years of hireWithin 2 years of hire Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources - Washington State License: On-Site Inspector Certificate of Competency - Within 2 years of hire Waste Management - Institute of Hazardous Materials Management-Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM ®)ORManager of landfill operation- Solid Waste Association of North America SWANAORWashington Organic Recycling Council, Compost Facility Operator Training (CFOT)OR40 Hour HAZWOPER Certificate - Within 2 years of hireWithin 2 years of hireWithin 2 years of hireWithin 2 years of hire

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