Health and Environmental Investigator I and II – Food and Facilities Section

Summary

The Food and Facilities Section, Environmental Health Services Division, is currently seeking to fill multiple career service positions and Term Limited Temporary (TLT) positions 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). The HEI I/II TLT positions are expected to be filled for durations up to two years.

The HEI I/II positions provide education, inspection, and compliance services to a broad variety of food establishments, schools, and water recreation facilities to minimize risks of injury and disease. The HEI I/II will enable businesses to protect public health and comply with the Codes of the King County Board of Health by conducting routine inspections, educational visits, and other investigations at food establishments, schools, pools, and spas in King County. 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.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION:
Through the work of over 150 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.

To learn more, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation’s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

Job Duties

Provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance services to 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 of food establishments (permanent and temporary), pools, schools, and beaches to ensure compliance with current public health and environmental codes, regulations, and 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 at food establishments and injury investigations at water recreation facilities and coordinate activities with senior-level investigators.

Respond to public complaints and inquiries about foodborne illness, injuries at water recreation facilities, and other environmental health concerns.

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 training.

The Health & Environmental Investigator will implement program activities and priorities outlined by the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Knowledge of environmental health, science, and engineering principles.

Knowledge of environmental programs, laws, regulations, and policy processes.

Knowledge of water and food sampling techniques; sample handling procedures; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and safety procedures for working around and with hazardous materials.

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 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 interpret environmental health laws, ordinances, and regulations for application to environmental health problems and to a variety of audiences.

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 work effectively as both an individual and as a member of a team; make sound, reasonable, and objective determinations based on fact; handle and meet deadlines; deal with difficult people; and complete complicated and interagency projects in a timely and effective manner.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bilingual in one of the most common non-English language groups in King County (such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, Amharic, Punjabi).

Knowledge of, and experience applying, the King County Food Code and the Washington State Water Recreation Facilities Code.

Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health or equivalent.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
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). Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity.

REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at:
www.neha.org/professional-development/credentials/rehsrs-credential

REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at: www.wsbrs.org

An HEI Level I hire requires obtaining a valid REHS certificate from NEHA or an RS from WSBRS within one year of the hire date as a condition of continuing employment.

Valid Washington State Driver License.

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

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our “True North”, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles-we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates. Currently, we are recruiting for 3 full-time Career Service positions and one Term-Limited Temporary position. In addition, applicants from this recruitment may be used to create a list of qualified candidates for future career service, term-limited temporary that may occur in the next 6 months in this program.

Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the “Apply” link) including work history and position duties.

A cover letter describing your interest in this position and how do you meet the required qualifications for this job.

A current resume

Responses to supplemental questions.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and the development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

Necessary Special Requirements:
The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation. Records are not automatically disqualifying.

Candidates selected are required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.

Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.

Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirement:
This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety of physical and weather conditions that may include walking uneven terrain, working around heavy machinery, strong odors, dust, animals, and various types of wastes.

Exposure to individuals from the public who are upset, angry, agitated, and sometimes hostile, requiring the use of conflict management and de-escalation skills.

This position may require strength enough to lift, push, or pull field equipment weighing between 20-40 pounds.

Performance of job duties requires driving on a regular basis and a valid Washington State Driver’s license.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally access or travel by ferry or boat.

Work Schedule: This position typically works 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week anytime between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The schedule requires flexibility for weekend and evening work. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. The normal workweek is 40 hours, Monday – Friday. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Work Location: The primary King County worksite for this position will be at one or more of the following locations:

Downtown Seattle, Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1100, Seattle

Eastgate Public Health Center, 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue

Bothell/North Creek Environmental Health (not a public location)

Multiple sites as noted above.

The Environmental Health Division reserves the right to place staff at worksite locations or transfer staff to new worksite locations that best support the efficient delivery of services.

The majority of the work associated with this position will be performed in the field. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at Public Health worksites throughout the County and may also utilize home deployment. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Salary Information (depending on qualifications):
$32.16 – $40.77 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator I

$37.97 – $48.13 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator II

Union Affiliation:
This position is represented by Protect Local 17 Union.

Contact:
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Nic Horea, Senior Human Resource Analyst at [email protected], or 206-263-8736.