Careers

Description:

Summary:

The Environmental Health Services Division, Food & Facilities Section is seeking to fill one Career Service and one Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position for Health & Environmental Investigator (HEI) Level I and Level II. Placement into HEI Level I or Level II depends upon the qualifications of successful candidates prior to the hire date (described further in the Qualifications section below).

These positions will provide education, inspection, and compliance services to a broad variety of food establishments and water recreation facilities to minimize risks of injury and disease. The positions will enable businesses to protect public health and comply with the Codes of the King County Board of Health. Additionally, the HEI I/II will implement program activities and priorities outlined by the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.

Successful candidates will have a passion for environmental public health and creating healthier lives for all people in King County, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be effective collaborating with community partners, agency partners, and colleagues. The positions will work with a collaborative team of colleagues across the Food & Facilities Section, including supervisors, plan reviewers, field investigators, and educator specialists. 

The Food & Facilities Section contributes to healthy, diverse communities by permitting, educating and inspecting over 1,800 water recreation facilities, 12,500 permanent food businesses, 40 farmers markets, 3,000 temporary food businesses, and issues over 50,000 food worker cards annually. In addition, the section is responsible for permitting and inspecting 1,800 water recreational facilities, oversees the safety of fresh and marine water bathing beaches, and provides regulatory oversight of sewage releases and Harmful Algal Blooms affecting swimming beaches.

Job Duties

 

• Provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance services to entities such as food industries, schools, water recreation facilities, the media, and the general public.
• Convey and interpret public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and technical regulatory information to a variety of diverse audiences.
• Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with current public health and environmental codes, regulation sand policies.
• Determine if regulatory violations have occurred, document violations, establish schedules for corrective actions, and make recommendations for additional  compliance actions to senior investigators.
• Perform foodborne illness investigations and coordinate activities with senior level investigators.
• Respond to public complaints and inquiries about foodborne illness and other environmental health concerns.
• Conduct culturally competent outreach to unpermitted vendors and bring them into food safety compliance, including applying for food service permit application and commissary kitchen resources. This includes providing education, helping them navigate the permitting process, and referring unpermitted vendors to community-based organizations and following up on the status of their applications.
• Maintain and use program based computerized systems, write reports, and maintain accurate field records.
• Work with other agencies and jurisdictions to receive, screen, or share information regarding environmental health investigations as needed to coordinate multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions.
• Present environmental health program information at meetings and public forums.
• Participate in assigned Environmental Health Division meetings and trainings.
• Implement program activities and priorities outlined by the King County Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Ordinance and the King County ESJ Strategic Plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

 

Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity.  
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at:  
Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Register Sanitarian Credential (neha.org) 
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at:  <a href="https://www

Skills/Eligibility:

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:

• Knowledge of environmental health, science and engineering principles.  
• Knowledge of environmental programs, laws, regulations and policy processes.  
• Knowledge of regulatory and technical research methods.  
• Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques.  
• Skill in providing quality customer services with broadly diverse populations.  
• Skill in verbal and written communications; using office software and databases; and using and interpreting maps and plans.  
• Ability to work effectively both as an individual and as a member of a team; make sound, reasonable, and objective determinations based on facts; handle and meet deadlines; deal with difficult people; and complete complicated and interagency projects in a timely and effective manner.  
• Ability to conduct complex environmental health investigations using established regulations, codes, and practices to research, monitor, and apply federal, state and local laws, policies, and environmental protection.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating and securing correction of unsatisfactory conditions, situations and practices; investigate and report on compliance with environmental standards, laws, rules and regulations; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to interpret environmental health laws, ordinances and regulations for application to environmental health problems and to a variety of audiences.
• Skill in effectively dealing with stressful situations; ability to use de-escalation techniques and negotiate compliance.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Must have demonstrated punctuality, dependability, and good attendance in previous job experience.  

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree meeting the minimum requirements for obtaining a valid certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from a state board of Registered Sanitarians.
• Ability to communicate and provide information verbally and in writing to the public.
• Valid Washington State Driver License and ability to operate a motor vehicle or ability to obtain upon hire.

All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment. 

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• An HEI Level II hire requires, at the time of hire, possession of a valid certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).   
• An HEI Level I hire requires obtaining a valid REHS certificate from NEHA or an RS from WSBRS within six months of the hire date as a condition of continuing employment.  The probationary period may be extended on a case-by-case basis.

Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity. REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at: Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Register Sanitarian Credential (neha.org) REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at:  www.wsbrs.org   

Desired:

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