Senior Environmental Health Specialist

Thurston County · Olympia · $6,898–$9,175/month (stated in the posting)

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The salary for this position is: $6,898.00 - $9,175.00 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Onsite Sewage System Operation & Maintenance Program Supervisor (Senior Environmental Health Specialist) for our Environmental Health Division. 

As an Onsite Sewage System Operation & Maintenance Program Supervisor, you will supervise 5 staff. This program is dedicated to preventing surface and ground water pollution related to failing or inadequately maintained onsite sewage systems in Thurston County. This program collects, interprets, and analyzes environmental health data to assure protection of public health and water resources. It also ensures compliance with government standards and regulations regarding proper operation and maintenance of onsite sewage systems, and proper certification and oversight of onsite sewage system professionals including pumpers and certified maintenance specialists. 

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement a wide variety of water quality and septic operation and maintenance projects and programs that include public education, routine and project-based groundwater and surface water quality monitoring, pollution investigation, oversight of onsite sewage system professionals, implementation of County on-site sewage system management plan, and compliance with rules and regulations
• Issue, withhold, or withdraw licenses and permits
• Review and report environmental data, program effectiveness, and project results.
• Develop recommendations for consideration by policy makers and department managers
• Write department policies and procedures related to assigned section programs
• Coordinate activities with other department programs, agencies, and jurisdictions to effectively manage assigned programs
• Manage and direct the work of assigned employees and provide guidance and training
• Recommend selection of employees, monitor employee progress, and evaluate performance
• Develop and manage the section's annual budget
• Prepare grant project proposals that forward the mission of the department
• Manage grant projects and contracts and interlocal agreements with partner agencies
• Represent the department on regional and multi-agency work groups that work on water resource and sewage management issues
• 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. This includes emergency preparedness training and exercises, relevant to the work expectations of duties during emergencies

To view the full job classification, click here: Class Specifications | Environmental Health Specialist, Senior | Class Spec Details

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment: Office setting in Olympia, Washington and outdoors in Thurston County. May be exposed to a variety of weather conditions, walking in rough terrain, or boating in rough waters. Physical hazard may result from working in proximity of heavy equipment and inspecting deep excavations subject to cave-in. May be exposed to pathogenic bacteria. Heavy lifting more than 50 lbs. may be required. This position works primarily in the field and the office, but up to 1 day per week of remote working may be requested.
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings and to perform inspections in the field.
• Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s 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.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure 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 will 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 Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid 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 our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):  Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in 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 capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology, or a related field.  
• Three (3) years of professional environmental health experience requiring extensive public contact, including one (1) year at the Environmental Health Specialist II level or equivalent, and specialization in one or more environmental health disciplines. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• 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: 

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 and experience of state and local on-site sewage system regulations, standards, and technology
• Knowledge of permit and data systems
• Ability to compile and maintain complete and accurate records
• Ability to interpret and enforce complex regulations
• Ability to effectively communicate oral and written presentations
• Versed in sanitary survey methods, water quality monitoring techniques, data analysis, and data presentation
• Knowledge of education, outreach, and social marketing/communication strategies
• Knowledge of designing and conducting water quality investigations and studies
• Ability to use judgment and sensitivity when interacting with the public while educating and promoting good public relations

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

Leadership:

• Supervise, motivate, and develop employees and team to become more productive and effective in achieving desired goals and career growth while encouraging employee critical reflection; able to give direction without conflict
• Show fairness and impartiality in interactions; is interested in employee welfare, elicits staff input where feasible; respond to staff suggestions and complaints in a sincere, sensitive, and timely manner

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 RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the PHSS hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569

This position is:

• Represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Grant funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Proof of licenses/certifications
• 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)

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.

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