Environmental Health Specialist - $1,500 Hiring Incentive

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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THIS WORK MATTERS!

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and prompt health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities.

Environmental Health Services (EHS) programs serve to protect the public from environmental health related issues: food, water, vector borne diseases and environmental health threats and disasters. The nature of the work is complex due to the numerous environmental health concerns and regulations and the high profile of the activities conducted. The EHS unit analyzes local environmental health issues from a public health perspective, regulates specified businesses and enforces state and local environmental health laws and rules.

The Environmental Health Specialist plays a crucial role in protecting public health by ensuring compliance with state sanitary codes in various settings. This dynamic position offers a blend of fieldwork, community interaction, and administrative tasks. Responsibilities include:

Inspections

• Conduct comprehensive on-site inspections of food service establishments (restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, etc.), evaluating food handling practices, temperature control, equipment sanitation, employee hygiene, and overall facility cleanliness.

• Inspect tourist accommodations including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, RV parks, and campgrounds to ensure compliance with regulations related to water quality, sanitation, waste disposal, and pest control.

• Evaluate public and private swimming pools and spa pools for proper water chemistry, filtration systems, safety equipment, and overall hygiene.

• Inspect other facilities as needed, such as schools, daycare centers, and temporary food vendors.

• Document findings thoroughly and accurately, using photographs and detailed reports to support your assessments.

Enforcement

• Issue citations and warnings for violations of state sanitary codes.

• Work with business owners and operators to develop and implement corrective action plans to address identified deficiencies.

• When necessary, initiate legal action to ensure compliance and protect public health.

• Respond to and investigate complaints from the public regarding potential health hazards.

Community Education

• Develop and deliver engaging food handler training courses, covering topics such as safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, temperature control, and preventing cross-contamination.

• Provide educational materials and resources to the public on various environmental health topics, including food safety, water quality, and disease prevention.

• Conduct outreach to businesses and community organizations to promote awareness of public health regulations and best practices.

$1,500 Hiring Incentive: As a newly hired Environmental Health Specialist, you will receive a one-time New Hire Recruitment and Retention Incentive payment of $1,500 on your first paycheck. The incentive will be prorated based on the position's FTE status.

Routine Telework: At this time, this position is eligible for “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home) most of the time. As with all telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. The designation of Routine Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is Lloyd Corporate Plaza - Environmental Health, 847 NE 19th Ave, Suite 350, Portland, OR 97232.

Salary/Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Benefits: Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. 

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee you will create a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist in the State of Oregon or NEHA

• Possession of a Oregon Drivers license 

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills. 

• Demonstrate experience working with a multicultural and diverse workforce.

• Promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.

• Maintain a safe and healthful workplace.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION:

REQUIRED: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Submit an online application;

2. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

3. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following: 

• How your values align with the County’s mission, particularly our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;

• How you meet the qualifications for this position; and

• Why you are interested in this position

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications

• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/interviews

• Background, reference, and education checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This represented position is eligible for overtime

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-exempt 

Note: The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill regular, full or part time, temporary, and limited duration assignments for other available Environmental Health Specialist positions.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging: Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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