Environmental Health Specialist 3 – Curry County, OR (Hybrid)

Initial Posting Date:

08/01/2024

Application Deadline:

12/31/2024

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$5,232 - $8,024

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Environmental Health Specialist 3 – Curry County, OR (Hybrid)

Job Description:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD), Environmental Public Health program in Curry County, Oregon has a fantastic career opportunity for an Environmental Health Specialist 3.  This position will conduct all Environmental Health licensing and inspection work in Curry County for approximately 250 food, pool and lodging facilities.

This is a full-time, permanent, classified position which is represented by a union. This recruitment may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current or future vacancies.

What will you do?
This position will conduct on-site inspections of licensed facilities in Curry County to determine compliance with applicable Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statues as well as complete licensed food service plan reviews for new licensees.

This position will respond to complaints from the public about licensed facilities, as well as interpret and explain environmental health statutes, rules, policies, and procedures to licensed facilities and the general public. This position will serve to provide a consistent review of all licensed food, pool, and lodging facilities in Curry County to ensure the general public has safe experiences within these facilities.

What's in it for you?

The public health division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefit packages for you and your qualified family members with minimal out-of-pocket costs (member cost share is as low as 1% - 5%). Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx 
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year.
  • 3 additional paid personal business days each year.
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accrued each month.
  • 8 hours of vacation leave accrued each month with increases every 5 years.
• Pension and Retirement plans. After six months of service, you may qualify for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). New employees may be enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Student Loan Forgiveness; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity. The PSLF program may forgive student loan balances after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments. 
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Click here to learn more and access a summary of State of Oregon benefits.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to:

• Eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030
• Becoming an anti-racist organization
• Developing and promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate programs, and
• Developing and retaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce that represents the diversity, cultures, strengths, and values of the people of Oregon.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of experience equivalent to an Environmental Health Specialist 2 working under general supervision of a registered environmental health specialist, conducting environmental health or hazardous materials investigations, inspecting facilities and equipment for environmental health regulation compliance, investigating and assessing the impact of adverse environmental conditions on the public health, preparing health permits, conducting studies and surveys, and developing solutions to environmental problems; AND

A Bachelor's degree with 45 quarter (30 semester) hours in a field of science related to environmental sanitation.

Applicants must be registered, or eligible to become registered, as an environmental health specialist in Oregon within 30 days of hire.

Desired Attributes:

Must be able to successfully complete State Standardization process.

Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Skill in reading, analyzing and writing general, statistical and technical reports.

Skill in identifying problems, generating alternatives, building consensus and implementing solutions.

Skill in using professional judgement to solve violation-based regulatory problems.

Skill in understanding and adapting quickly to complex statewide processes and systems.

Skill in bringing together diverse and/or opposing groups and working to a mutually acceptable solution(s)

Sill in dealing with groups of individuals with diverse and sometimes antagonistic viewpoints and identifying and addressing all potential issues and concerns.

Skill in providing expert level technical expertise within and outside the organization.

Able to prioritize program tasks and meet program deadlines.

Working Conditions:

Fully remote work with occasional in-office meetings in Portland and routine in person site visits. In person work is expected to take place in Curry County, Oregon however, this position may on an occasional or interim basis perform work in other jurisdiction(s) where OHA is the Local Public Health Authority. Inspections at fairs/festivals will require occasional weekend work.

Remote workers must establish and maintain an appropriate environment and schedule when working from home. To be eligible for telework, staff must have a home work-space that meets all applicable technology, security and safety requirements including the ability to provide protection of confidential information accessible in their home.

Staff who work remotely may be required to report to a state office location periodically or regularly as part of their job. Both local and long-distance trips for meetings outside of the office with clients, partners, and interested parties may be required. You must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Directions to Apply:

Please fill out the online application and submit a resume and cover letter telling us about yourself and how your personal (lived), educational, and/or professional experience qualifies you for this position.

• External Applicants: Click the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply through your employee Workday account. View this job aid for assistance.

Resources:

• Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.
• Workday performs best in Google Chrome.
• Check both your e-mail and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
  • Oregon Health Authority Website
  • Mission, Vision and Core Values
  • Programs and Divisions
• Career Resources
  • State of Oregon Career Resources Page
  • Get Your Application and Resume Noticed
  • Ace the Interview
  • Search for State of Oregon jobs
  • How to Set Job Alerts

Additional Information:

• Visa Sponsorships: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.  OHA is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
• Pay Scale: Upon receiving a salary offer, we will conduct a pay equity assessment using the information provided in your application to determine your salary placement upon hire. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, please make certain your application materials are up-to-date and thorough. Include relevant details such as your work history, education, volunteer work, lived experiences, and any other pertinent information related to the position you are applying for. Please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage to learn more.
• Background Check: If you are offered employment, your offer will be contingent upon the positive outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check, and driving records check. The information will be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
• Veterans: If you are a veteran, you may receive veterans’ preference points. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, you will receive a notice in your Workday inbox and will be required to provide your documents at that time. Veterans | Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-800-692-9666
• This recruitment may be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill current or future vacancies.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like assistance, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Juan McGruder, HR Analyst, at juan.a.mcgruder@oha.oregon.gov.

TTY users, please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900. For technical support, please call toll-free 1-855-524-5627, for customer service assistance.

Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Pay Equity:

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected class under state or federal law. In addition, we do not discriminate, or screen applicants based on current or past compensation. To learn more about OHA’s mission, vision, and core values, click here.

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity and anti-racism.

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