Summary of Duties

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston Countys local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

As the Environmental Health Specialist II Water Quality Monitoring Lead, you will be working daily to ensure that our countywide stream and lake monitoring program is running smoothly and in compliance with our quality assurance project plan; that high quality data continues to be collected, and data is presented to the public using methods that result in both an increase in their knowledge of local water quality and energize them to take actions on their own to make things better.

As the Environmental Health Specialist II Water Pollution Identification & Correction Lead, you will work daily to ensure that: streams and marine shorelines discharges/outfalls that are determined to be failing the state water quality standard for E. coli bacteria are segmented and intensively sampled to locate polluted segments, and then conduct door-to-door investigations to work with area residents to identify and correct sources. You will also conduct door-to-door sanitary surveys in our Black Lake PIC project area to provide education on proper septic system maintenance, use of fertilizers, animal waste management, etc. You will also respond to public complaints regarding failing septic systems, poor animal waste management practices, etc., and work closely with the property owner/occupant to correct any problems you identify.

Some of the essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, or contamination.
• Conduct environmental studies by gathering, evaluating and reporting on data.
• Manage and analyze data.
• Serve as project lead in one or more program areas; provide technical expertise to program staff and community partners and provide project recommendations and guidance.
• Work with other water quality staff to ensure monitoring and data meet high standards.
• Conduct sanitary surveys and dye tests on-site sewage systems.
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance/quality control standards.
• Document inspection results and prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems.
• Offer technical support and education to the public.
• Work with property owners and residents to correct conditions on their site that contribute to or have the potential to contribute to pollution.
• Conduct water quality monitoring in lakes, streams, groundwater, and marine waters.
• Interpret laws and policies, assist with program development, draft policies, and make recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health.
• Write technical reports.
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of environmental health science, biology, epidemiology, hydrology, and soils science.
• Versed in water quality monitoring techniques, sanitary survey methods, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Knowledge of designing and conducting water quality investigations and studies.
• Ability to compile and maintain complete and accurate records.
• Ability to communicate the significance of water quality data to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to exercise skill and judgment in dealing tactfully with the public while educating and maintaining good public relations.
• Knowledge of the Health Code and related federal and state laws and regulations.

What we offer our employees:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals lifestyle.
• Plan for Your Future: As a member of our team, you enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit our 2024 Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans website for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn a minimum of 12 paid vacation days per year in addition to 11 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County-paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Options some employees may take advantage of are alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• See under Benefits later in this job description for detailed information about the many other benefits the County offers.

Why youll love it here
Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washingtons South Puget Sound Region. Perched between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capital city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology, or a related field.
• Three years of professional environmental health work experience requiring extensive publiccontact. Experience must include three of the following program areas: sewage, food, water, vector control, epidemiology, solid waste, and hazardous waste; demonstrated ability to perform as a lead special projects manager within a single program area.
• Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• May be required to posses a professional certification applicable to area of assignment (eg, Hydrogeologist, Waste Water Treatment System Inspection Certificate of Competency, Qualified Sanitary Surveyor, etc.).
• Must be recognized by the Washington State Sanitarian Registration Board as Registered Sanitarian within eighteen months of the date of hire.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.

Desired Skills

Respect and Organizational Culture:

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes.
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment.

Communication:

• Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others.
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community.
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors.

Goal Setting and Accomplishment:

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation.
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure.
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity.
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment.
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change.

Other Position Related Information

Questions about this recruitment?
The contact person for this recruitment is: Vickie Larkin: vickie.larkin@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2505

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits
• Contingent on the ability to pass a criminal background check
• Grant Funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Cover letter

PLEASE NOTE: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:

• Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)