The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, and ensuring residents' equitable access to health services and information.
This position collaboratively organizes, supervises, and evaluates Environmental Health (EH) operations. Ensures the enforcement of county, state, and federal environmental health laws, codes, and regulations. Develops, and reviews standard operating procedures and policies and procedures; makes recommendations as needed. Collaboratively develops and strengthens individual leadership skills and promotes teamwork. Provides direction and support for staff to ensure delivery of environmental health/public health services. Fosters an environment of collaborative problem-solving and decision-making and quality customer service. Monitors assigned EH staff performance to ensure department and division goals are met. Acts as mediator between staff, citizens, contractors, builders and community business representatives when issues arise. Researches and responds to complaints, as needed. Serves as a representative on department strategic planning committees and participates in the budgeting process. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with federal, state and local agencies, community stakeholders, internal and external county department representatives and boards to enhance the operational goals and objectives of the division. Actively participates on interdisciplinary human services teams/committees/task forces and participates in public outreach and educational activities and events, as assigned.
Note: Health Department positions are designated as emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. As a public health emergency responder, this position may be reassigned to provide support based on the emergency response service needs. The temporary reassignment may require employees to function in a role outside of the typical job duties. The emergency response may also require employees to work alternative work schedules to include weekend and evenings.
Comprehensive knowledge of public health standards and advanced inspection/investigation procedures related to specialty area(s);
Comprehensive knowledge of methods and techniques used for prevention of disease caused by contaminated food, vectors, and other environmental hazards;
Knowledge of the concepts and principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics;
Thorough knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and enforce County, Federal, and State laws, codes, and ordinances governing public and environmental health;
Skill in training staff on the methods and techniques of fact-finding, analysis, and resolution of environmental health problems;
Skill in advanced sampling and analysis techniques related to specialty area(s);
Skill in public speaking and making presentations;
Ability to evaluate the work of professional level staff;
Ability to plan, organize, and monitor inspection, investigation and survey projects which may involve the efforts of a variety of agency, County, State, and Federal participants;
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret maps, plans, and schematic drawings (including architectural plans and topographic plats);
Ability to read and interpret laboratory test results;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health or a Bachelor’s degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences; plus, four years of experience in the environmental health field, at or above a level equivalent to
Environmental Health Specialist II.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:- Valid driver’s license.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Required within 60 days of appointment).
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) (Required within 60 days of appointment).
- Possession of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential from the National Environmental Health Association (Required within twelve (12) months of appointment).
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
Additional Work Schedule Requirements: May work evening hours and on weekends, during emergencies and program events and activities; days and hours may change during emergencies.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Expert-level written and oral communications with demonstrated ability to develop written products, both technical and non-technical, for a wide range of audiences.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and the ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision making.
- Strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to manage multiple priorities and time sensitive projects and deliverables with excellent attention to detail.
- Two or more years of experience in direct supervision of staff.
- Experience in the environmental health field interpreting regulatory requirements, conducting complex studies, and/or conducting surveillance activities.
- Possession of any of the following certifications or licenses: Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator, Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator, Standardized Food Environmental Health Specialist, Commercial Pesticide Certified Applicator, and/or Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb or crawl, stretch, reach overhead, exerting up to 10 lbs. of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; lift or carry up to 25 lbs., unaided; or up to 50lbs. with or without assistance, occasionally. Constant movements (motions) of the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers to grasp, handle or feel. Ability to move safely through narrow passages or traverse over uneven terrain; wear personal protective equipment, as required. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer; and touchscreen electronics. Generally, works in an office environment but primarily required to perform job duties outside of a typical office setting to conduct inspections or investigations (e.g. restaurants, pools, other facilities etc.), including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and night-time hours. Ability to drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver s license, travel to various locations throughout the county. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel Interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home including
Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.
DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
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