Salary : $55,723.20 - $67,995.20 Annually Location : CA 93230, CA Job Type: Full-time permanent Job Number: 2025-017 Department: Health - Administration Opening Date: 07/10/2025 Closing Date: Continuous JOB OPPORTUNITY The Kings County Public Health Department is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I There are multiple vacancies for Environmental Health Specialist I in the Public Health Department. The successful candidates will perform professional work involved in the inspection and enforcement of various environmental health program areas including, but not limited to: consumer protection, hazardous materials, environmental quality, emergency response, drinking water sanitation, solid waste disposal, wastewater disposal, land use, and vector control. Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established. The typical life of this eligible list is six months. This is a continuous recruitment which means we will accept applications on a continuous basis. A continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Environment Health Specialist I:This is the entry-level, non-registered classification in the professional Environmental Health Specialist series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine environmental inspection and enforcement duties. While working toward a State of California Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist, and as experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Incumbents at this level usually perform most of the duties required at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. DUTY SAMPLE Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.
- Performs regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized environmental health regulations, rules, and policies related to environmental health program areas.
- Inspects retail food establishments, public swimming pools and spas, water systems and medical waste facilities for compliance with applicable health codes; visually inspects for conformance with applicable codes and regulations; collects required food and water samples; follows up on complaints; writes and issues violation notices.
- Conducts housing, detention facilities, and school inspections and issues corrective action and violation notices.
- Provides educational information to property and business owners, employees, and the public on environmental health regulations and safety; instructs food service workers on the proper handling of food.
- Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
- Compiles data for and prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations, and studies completed.
- Provides general information to the regulated community and public regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations; receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding division activities and programs.
- Confers with officials of other public agencies and persons with private business.
- Participates in community education and public information efforts.
- Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
- Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
A detailed job specification is available by clicking the link below: Environmental Health Specialist I MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date** Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but it is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment. Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Education:
- Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.
Experience:
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Licenses:
- Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Certifications:
- Possession of a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services.
NOTE: Applicants must attach a copy of their letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services. If a letter is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators. PHYSICAL DEMANDS When assigned to an office environment: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. When assigned to a field environment: Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to visually inspect, read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Employees predominately work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. *To contact the California Department of Public Health for information regarding the above education/experience standards and how to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), please click For information regarding the application process to generate the Letter of Eligibility and transcript evaluation, please click hereFor information regarding educational requirements, please click here. For additional information, please click You will be required to e-mail the State of California to request the REHS application package. If you do not qualify to be certified as an REHS, but qualify as an EHS Trainee, you will be sent the evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health which states that the applicant is eligible to begin training in an approved environmental health program.This process can take a minimum of 4-6 weeks; if you are interested in this position, BEGIN THIS PROCESS NOW SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER** All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%), which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date. WHEN CLICKING ON THE VETERAN'S PREFERENCE APPLICATION LINK, PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR DD214 TO YOUR APPLICATION. Revised on 6/2/2025: Changed to continuous until filled. Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California. Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification: Miscellaneous - 2% at 62 Safety - 2.7% at 57 If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013: Miscellaneous - 2% at 55 Safety - 3% at 55 The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan). Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan. Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure. Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements. Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned. Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse. Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher level job with the County. This program is subject to annual funding. Flexible Benefits Program: Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums). Specialty Pays: See for information. Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 01 The application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed fully. The following supplemental questions are used to help determine qualifications and eligibility to continue in the recruitment process. All education and experience used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on the education and work history portion of your application. Incomplete applications or supplemental questionnaires cannot be revised after submission and may be grounds for rejection. Responses such as see resume or see application or brief general statements will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may be rejected. By clicking I Accept below, I certify that I understand and will follow the application instructions.
02 Do you possess equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science?
NOTE: Education must be included on your application. 03 Provide the following information regarding your education. Your response MUST include the following information:1) College or University attended;2) Major or area of study; 3) Degree(s) received; and 4) Specific listing of all science semester units you possess (List each class and the number of earned semester units for consideration).
Note: The hiring department may require transcripts at the time of the department interview. Type N/A if you do not possess the required education. 04 Are you registered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as an Environmental Health Specialist or do you possess a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the CDPH?
Note: Applicants must attach proof of registration or letter of acceptance to their application to be considered. For information on how to add attachments to your application, click
- Yes, I am registered by the CDPH as an Environmental Health Specialist and I understand I MUST attach proof of registration to my application.
- Yes, I have a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee and I understand I MUST attach a copy of the letter to my application.
- No, I am not registered by the CDPH as an Environmental Health Specialist NOR do I possess a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the CDPH.
05 Do you possess a valid California Driver's License (CADL)? NOTE: Military Spouses, please attach copies of your supporting documentation. For information on how to add attachments to your application, click
- Yes, I possess a valid CADL.
- No, I do not possess a valid CADL, but I am WILLING AND ABLE to obtain one prior to appointment.
- No, I do not possess a CADL, but I am a military spouse with a valid driver's license issued by the state of my active-duty spouse's legal residency. I understand that I will be required to submit documents to verify, including but not limited to my dependent ID, my spouse's current out-of-state driver's license, or any other document necessary to verify the information.
- No, I do not possess a valid CADL, and I am UNABLE to obtain one prior to appointment.
06 This position requires the ability to qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- I have read and understand the above statement.
07 This position requires the ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary.
- I have read the above statement and am WILLING AND ABLE to meet this requirement.
- I have read the above statement and am UNABLE to meet this requirement.
08 This position requires the ability to travel within and outside the County.
- I have read the above statement and am WILLING AND ABLE to meet this requirement.
- I have read the above statement and am UNABLE to meet this requirement.
09 This position requires the ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators.
- I have read the above statement and am WILLING AND ABLE to meet this requirement.
- I have read the above statement and am UNABLE to meet this requirement.
10 I understand that only a complete and accurate application will be considered. I have included all current and at least 15 years previous work history and education. I also understand that my application must show all the relevant education and experience that I possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. Additionally, I understand that the supplemental questions are considered part of my official application. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, or discharge from employment. By clicking I Accept below, I certify that I understand and have followed the application instructions.
Required Question