Environmental Health Specialist 2 or Underfill

Description

NOTICE: Effective Spring 2025, in lieu of participating in Social Security, SWDH employees will benefit from a mandatory 401(a) retirement plan.

• Vision: A Healthier Southwest Idaho.
• Mission: To promote the health and wellness of those who live, work and play in Southwest Idaho.
• Values: Accountability, customer-focused, and teamwork influence the work we do and the difference we hope to make.

Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the communities of Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, and Owyhee counties? Do you crave a job where you can make a difference and serve the public? Southwest District Health (SWDH) is recruiting an Environmental Health Specialist 2 (or underfill) to join the dedicated group of public health professionals in the Environmental Section of Environmental and Community Health Services Division.

This position may be filled at the Environmental Health Specialist 1 (EHS1) level. The EHS1 is considered an underfill for the EHS2 and must obtain the REHS/RS licensure within one year of appointment wherein they will be promoted to an EHS2 with a salary increase.

As an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) and public health employee, you will serve an active role in improving the health of your community. As part of a small, but mighty team, you will train for and perform entry-level work to inspect, evaluate, and attain compliance with environmental health laws, advise on environmental concerns, and perform related work. To conduct inspections of facilities including food service (primarily), food and water-related epidemiological investigations, childcare, swimming pools, and nuisance-related issues. Position will require conducting after-hours and weekend inspections.

If you crave team-oriented work, purpose, and work/life balance, perhaps it's time you considered a career with SWDH. We're all about shaking up the stereotype that working in government is dull. We're disruptors and innovators, all passionately sharing the same vision of making Southwest Idaho the best place to live, work, and play. We believe in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This position may include a teleworking option from within Idaho.

Excellent Benefits

This budgeted, regular full-time position offers a competitive benefits package including PERSI (one of the BEST RETIREMENT system available in the Nation) with a lifetime benefit!

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (Employee-only PPO coverage at $65/month for medical/vision and $11.82/month for dental; low-cost options for family members. Free High Deductible Health Plan for employees; low-cost for dependents.)
• Life Insurance (FREE basic coverage; paid supplemental options for employees and dependents.)
• 11 paid holidays, generous vacation, and sick leave accrual starting immediately. (Holiday pay and accruals are prorated based on hours worked.)
• Mandatory 401(a) retirement program with 12.4% combined contributions
• Optional 401(k) and 457 Saving Plans
• Wellness Programs
• Flexible and family-supported policies, including 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Bring your canine friend to work on Fridays
• In-house fitness room and outdoor walking path
• Ongoing internal and external training opportunities
• Student Loan Forgiveness and Tuition Reimbursement!
• Easy commute with reverse traffic flow from Boise to Caldwell

Our generous benefits package boosts total compensation for full-time Environmental Health Specialist 2, transforming the base pay range from $27.17 - $31.96/hour to an estimated total compensation value, including benefits, of $39.47 - $45.33/hour.

If filled as an underfill, total compensation for full-time Environmental Health Specialist 1, making $23.76 - $27.95/hour to an estimated $35.31 - $40.43/hour, showcasing our investment in your well-being and professional growth.

Typical Duties:

Candidates must be able to complete the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and meet all the mandatory qualifications of the position.

• Inspect various food establishments, including restaurants, schools, grocery stores, mobile units, temporary foods, and food processors.
• Review and approve plans and specifications for new and remodeled food establishments.
• Complete and submit inspection, pre-operational, and investigation forms as required.
• Consult with food service owners and employees on long-term corrective actions for repeat violations.
• Collaborate with epidemiology staff to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks in establishments and residential care facilities, determining the source, agent, and mode of transmission.
• Co-instruct food safety courses and presentations for both industry and service groups.
• Handle investigations of animal bite reports and rabid animals.
• Inspect day care centers for violations related to health and safety during operational hours.
• Conduct inspections and investigations of public swimming pools, including reviewing and approving design plans and providing guidance on regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

You must possess all the minimum qualifications listed below to qualify for this position. All required experience and/or education must be listed under the work history section of this application OR on your resume and must include a detailed explanation of your roles and responsibilities at each relevant employer.

Minimum Qualifications (MQ) Environmental Health Specialist 2:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences OR successful completion of a college level algebra or higher math course and 30 semester/45 quarter hours in the basic sciences, i.e. biology, chemistry, physics, or other physical sciences as well as sanitary engineering or environmental engineering
• At least one year of public health experience with an agency to include inspecting facilities and enforcing ordinances, rules, and statutes in at least one of the following programs: food, on-site sewage, day care, swimming pools, nuisance complaints, solid waste, home loan surveys, public drinking water, or vector control.

MQ Specialty (EHS2):

• Valid Driver’s License
• Taken and passed the REHS/RS credentialing exam with the National Environmental Health Association

Minimum Qualifications (MQ) Environmental Health Specialist 1 Underfill:

• Good knowledge of: Environmental Health Practices

“Good knowledge” typically means applicants should demonstrate journeyman level expertise, which can be gained through a closely related bachelor's degree, 2-4 upper division college courses related to the subject and 2-4 years of mid-level work experience closely related to the subject, or a combination of coursework and experience that represents the knowledge level above.

MQ Specialty (EHS1):

• Valid Driver’s License
• Environmental Health Specialist 1 must obtain the REHS/RS licensure within one year of appointment.
• Incumbent be willing to meet the National Environmental Health Association registration requirements as an Environmental Health Specialist or Trainee.

Ideal Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities (EHS 1 or 2):

• Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing both Spanish and English.

Supplemental Information:

Who May Apply

Individuals who meet all the “MQ’s” and “MQ Specialties” listed above. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodation may be directed to the contact listed on this job posting.

How to Apply

Log in to your https://statecareers.idaho.gov/ account, find this job announcement and select the Apply Now button. Attach your most current resume and follow the promptings to complete the exam. Hit submit. Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date. 

The successful candidate will have a history and background supportive of the department's mission goal and be required to complete a pre-employment drug test and a criminal history background check to include fingerprints.

SWDH is an equal opportunity employer and hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, age, or disability, exercising the right to family care and medical leave. In addition, preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations. Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodation to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodation or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Human Resource Office at 208.455.5318.

NOTICE: Idaho's Public Health Districts are agencies that are authorized by the State of Idaho as independent bodies. District employees are not State of Idaho employees, rather District employees who receive benefits through the Office of Group Insurance.

To learn more about Southwest District Health, please visit SWDH.id.gov.

If you would like to become a part of our team, we encourage you to apply.

If you have questions about this position, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 208.455.5307