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Summary of Duties

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist II for our Environmental Health Division in the Onsite/Land Use/Drinking Water Section.

As Thurston Countys local health jurisdiction and human services department, Public Health and Social Services 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.

In the role of Environmental Health Specialist II, you will work primarily in the onsite sewage and land use programs investigating and analyzing environmental health practices and policies for interpretation and enforcement of state and local health codes. In addition, you will provide education and enforcement and lead special project management in a single program area.

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

• Review of septic system permit applications, designs, and inspection reports.
• Provide technical assistance in person and over the phone.
• Interpret laws and policies.
• Receive and investigate complaints.
• Educate the public regarding septic systems.
• Document inspection results.
• Prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems.
• Inventory onsite sewage systems and manage onsite sewage system permit and operation and maintenance records.
• Assist with program development, draft policies, and make recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health.
• 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
• Knowledge of drinking water and onsite sewage systems
• 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.

Working Conditions
This position will perform field work evaluating sites for septic system permits. Work is performed in an office and outdoors. Employees in this classification will be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and may be exposed to pathogenic bacteria. Physical hazard may result from working in proximity of heavy equipment, inspecting excavations while working on slopes and shorelines.

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 public contact. 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

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)