Careers

Description:

While these are primarily a technical positions, the successful candidates will have strong interpersonal, communication, and cultural competence skills to support customers in achieving compliance with public health regulations that protect the community.
As a member of the Environmental Health Services Division, On-site Sewage System (OSS) program, you will work on vacant parcels and existing homes to help property owners ensure proper wastewater treatment and safe drinking water.  You will conduct permit processing, education, inspection and compliance, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance advice to the public, on-site sewage and real estate industries. 

Some of what you will do:

• Provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance advice to industries, facilities, the media, and the public about water and wastewater requirements. 
• Convey and interpret public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and technical regulatory information to diverse audiences. 
• Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with current public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies. 
• Determine if regulatory violations have occurred, document violations, and establish schedule for corrections, and make recommendations for follow-up to senior investigators based upon investigation findings.
• Review permit applications. 
• Participate and help plan workshops or meetings.
• Respond to email and phone inquiries and complaints.
• Coordinate with state agencies, industry partners, and King County programs. 

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, industry, and the general public. 
• Ability to bring humor and joy to your work.
• Ability to consistently maintain professional composure and tact, patient under pressure and deadlines.
• Demonstrated foundational knowledge of scientific principles via course work and on the job experience.  
• Eager to learn about or have experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
• Ability to use innovative thinking, flexibility and identify best practices to approach problems, resolve conflicts, and implement programs.
• Ability to edit, write, and present information to a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Enjoy working outside and independently in the field with minimal supervision.

 Minimum Qualifications

• Registered Sanitarian certificate from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSBRS) is required within 12 months of hire into this position. 
• Have earned 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of college credit in basic science coursework. Basic sciences include life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, or health sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, soil science, and toxicology). 
• Proficiency with software programs, including Microsoft Office, (Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook), and ability to quickly master Envision database, Bluebeam Software, OnlineRME, and performance management system.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Desired Qualifications

• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Sanitarian within one year of appointment is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the King County government, its mandates and functions, and familiarity with the regional and local policy issues and challenges that affect King County.
• Bilingual in English plus one or more of the following languages representing large populations in King County: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Amharic, Hindi, Punjabi, or other languages.