Social Worker

The Napa Valley

To conduct inspections and investigations of public facilities and to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations dealing with environmental health and safety; to conduct detailed and complex inspections and investigations of industrial, governmental and community sites for possible toxic substances and health hazards; to act as a consultant within the department for matters concerning hazardous materials and to participate as a team member during hazardous material emergency response incidents.

**DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journeyman level class in the Environmental Health Specialist series. The position in this class works independently performing a full range of environmental health and/or hazardous materials inspection and investigation duties. Incumbents are required to be registered as an Environmental Health Specialist with the State of California.

The class of Environmental Health Specialist II is distinguished from that of the Environmental Health Specialist I in that the latter class is a trainee/entry level class and does not require certification as an Environmental Health Specialist. It is further distinguished from that of the Senior Environmental Health Specialist by the lead supervision duties and the specialized technical assignment areas of the latter class.

**SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Environmental Health Supervisor. Functional or lead supervision may be provided by the Senior Environmental Health Specialist.

No supervision is exercised over others.

Experience And Education To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. A desirable combination is:

Experience One year of responsible experience in the field of environmental health and safety regulation and enforcement.

Education Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in Public Health, Environmental Health, or other basic science, which included courses in land use, solid waste management, occupational health and/or toxic substances.

License And Certification Possession of a valid certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License.**** Napa County as an Employer

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Conduct inspections and investigations of food handling and drinking establishments, sewage disposal plants, garbage and waste disposal sites, public schools, public and semipublic buildings, hazardous materials facilities, underground storage tank facilities and swimming pools; give instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations; obtain compliance with law, regulations and ordinances governing environmental health and safety.

Investigate complaints filed by the public involving environmental health and safety issues; make recommendations and give instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations; issue permits or licenses when conditions warrant.

Advise food handlers on methods of dish and glass sanitation and personal hygiene.

Conduct inspections of water systems and private wells to ensure portable water sources in the community served.

Take water samples of small water systems and public swimming pools for bacterial analysis by laboratory personnel.

Collect samples of beverage, food and other matter for epidemiological studies and determine results.

Inspect labor camps and other group housing to ensure Health and Safety code compliance, and to assure compliance with the Employee Housing Act.

Participate in infectious disease control investigations.

Instruct individuals and communities in methods of control of animal carriers of plague, rabies and other transmitted diseases.

Inspect new land developments and subdivisions and recommends suitable water and sewage installations; review and approve federal housing drawings and specifications, in so far as sewage disposal and water installations are concerned.

Conduct detailed and complex investigations and inspection of hazardous waste facilities including underground storage tanks; obtain compliance with laws and ordinances governing hazardous materials.

Evaluate, inspect and regulate hazardous materials during transfer, storage and disposal.

Participate as an emergency response team member during hazardous materials incidents within all areas of the County; determine containment, protection and clean up procedure coordinating with appropriate federal, state and local agencies.

Conduct preliminary surveys and make evaluations of occupational work sites.

Conduct studies of the effects of hazardous solids, liquids and air contaminant waste management proposals on human health and the environment.

Collect samples of soil, liquid and air to evaluate the presence of hazardous contaminants and interpret their results.

Work with other local, state and federal agencies involved in determining the effects of hazardous materials on the environment.

Coordinate activities with other agencies and groups; inform interested parties of recent developments in the programs.

Conduct joint inspections with other agencies such as Fire, Building, OSHA, as required.

Collect, analyze and interpret hazardous material data; conduct chemical testing and sampling.

Confer and advise engineers, architects, builders, developers and other on matters related to environmental health and safety.

Advise and instruct individuals, business concerns, institutions and public officials in prevention and correction of health hazards, vector control and other conditions contrary to good environmental health and safety practices.

Interpret environmental health and safety laws and regulations to the public.

Prepare correspondence; write reports and findings of investigations.

Answer questions and provide the public with information concerning environmental health and safety requirements both in the office and in the field.

May address community groups on the work of the department.

Prepare reports and legal complaints; appear in court as a witness in matters relating to actions taken by the department.

Perform related duties as assigned.

The Position

Knowledge Of State, federal and local laws and regulations dealing with environmental health and safety.

Sanitation requirements and procedures.

Principles and practices of environmental health and safety.

Penal code sections related to public nuisances.

Methods and procedures used in the inspection, investigation and correction of unsanitary and hazardous conditions.

Proper and effective enforcement techniques and the appropriate response to various violations.

Causes of the spread of disease.

Basic building construction principles.

Basic practices in the storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials.

Statistical methods, survey techniques and analysis.

Ability To Understand, interpret and apply laws and regulations.

Conduct environmental health and safety inspections and investigations using the proper tools and equipment.

Analyze sanitary conditions and make recommendations for their correction.

Identify potential problems or violations and take corrective action to eliminate that potential.

Collect samples correctly and interpret lab analysis.

Respond to emergency spills.

Conduct hazardous materials studies and prepare recommendations.

Handle difficult public contact situations and negotiate compliance points.

Gather and analyze data, and draw sound conclusions.

Apply pesticides and biological control agents.

Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Prepare clear, comprehensive and concise correspondence and reports.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Public Services Employees Benefits Information SALARY - Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.

Additional Benefits Info - Click here for additional benefits information for Public Services Employees: https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/7508/Benefits-Summary---Public-Service-Employees-PSE

These Benefits Do Not Apply To Extra Help Positions EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION PHYSICAL STANDARDS - Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

FINGERPRINTING - All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.

SELECTION PROCESS - FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.

01

Please describe your concept of the role of an Environmental Health Specialist in the Napa County Department of Environmental Management. What knowledge and skills do you believe to be most important for this position? Describe which of the qualifications are your particular strengths and how would this position contribute to your career goals.

02

Please describe in detail the abilities you possess which quailfy you for the position of Environmental Health Specialist and explain how you acquired these skills.

03

Describe any other factors which you feel should be considered in determining your competitive qualifications for this position.

04

Describe your experience that demonstrates your ability to a) work effectively as part of a team and b) work independently without close supervision.

05

Describe a work project that you completed. What was the project? Who, if anyone did you work with on the project? What was your role? What did you do? What was the outcome?

06

Describe the laws and regulations governing the following: - small water systems - retail food facilities - underground storage tanks - solid waste facilities

07

Describe your experience with risk-based inspections, including their pros and cons.

• Required Question