The Environmental Health Services Division is seeking to fill several Career Service, Term Limited Temporary (TLT),Special Duty Assignment (SDA), and/or Short-Term Temporary (STT) positions. We are seeking a skilled, enthusiastic and dedicated Health & Environmental Investigator to provide outreach, technical assistance and/or regulatory oversight in one of the following Programs:

• Food & Facilities – To conduct inspections, provide educational services and respond to complaints/illnesses at retail food establishments, recreational facilities and schools,  
• On-site Sewage System OSS Operation & Maintenance - to investigate OSS failures and monitor OSS maintenance, 
• Solid Waste, Rodent and Zoonotic Diseases - to provide regulatory oversight and outreach for solid waste handling facilities, illegal dumping and rodent investigations, waste characterization, and/or pet business inspections, 
• Hazardous Waste Management - to provide technical assistance and outreach about residential and/or commercial hazardous waste management,
• Health Engagement Action and Resource Team (HEART) - to conduct on-site and phone consultations on environmental health topics for COVID-19 mitigation methods at sites that serve people living or formerly living homeless, or 
• Environmental Health Covid-19 Recovery - to provide technical consultations and educational site visits to help small businesses, schools, childcares, and faith organizations improve their indoor air quality and ventilation.

• Food & Facilities: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/food-safety.aspx
• On-site Sewage System OSS Operation & Maintenance: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/piping/onsite-sewage-systems.aspx
• Solid Waste, Rodent and Zoonotic Diseases: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/toxins-air-quality/solid-waste.aspx
• Hazardous Waste Management https://kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/ 
• Health Engagement Action and Resource Team (HEART) – HEART is part of the Health Care for the Homeless program https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/homeless-health/healthcare-for-the-homeless.aspx 
• Environmental Health Covid19 Recovery https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/ventilation.aspx 

• Provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and/or regulatory compliance services. Assist with development of sector-specific educational materials, guidance, and/or trainings.
• Interpret and convey complex regulations or technical recommendations and provide clear written and oral guidance and direction to industries, public agencies, business owners, service providers, and general public. 
• Conduct on-site inspections or site visits and review reports to ensure compliance or alignment with current public health and environmental codes, regulations, and/or policies.
• Respond to public complaints and inquiries on environmental health matters.
• For regulatory positions, determine if regulatory violations have occurred, document violations, establish schedule for corrections, and follow up with technical assistance or enforcement to ensure that schedule is met.
• Build working relationships with key contacts in the community, sector professionals, partners, and stakeholders. Attend and contribute to internal and external stakeholder meetings, meetings with facilities, and public outreach events.
• Use computerized database management systems, write, and review reports, and maintain accurate records in a timely manner.
• Bring a trauma informed and compassionate approach to working with diverse customers, clients, and other King County residents.
• Incorporate an equity lens to the work by prioritizing services to marginalized communities, including low income, refugee, people of color and other communities at the greatest risk of harm from exposure to environmental risks.
• Must be able to follow all COVID-19 safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols when working in the field such as mask use, eye protection, and other PPE as required.

• Prior education or experience in one or more environmental health/public health disciplines such as living environment, indoor air, food safety, on-site wastewater, facility and site evaluation, emergency preparedness, infection control and prevention, disease outbreak investigations, etc.
• Knowledge of environmental health principles and federal, state, or local environmental health regulations, codes and/or policies.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate environmental health topics and provide quality customer service for a variety of audiences including English Language Learners (ELL) and non-English speakers.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct environmental health investigations using established regulations, codes, and practices and make sound, reasonable determinations in evaluating and securing correction of unsatisfactory conditions (if appropriate).
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, clients, and/or permittees.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately respond to conflict and navigate difficult situations when interacting with property owners, business owners or other constituents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated experience writing, analyzing, or reviewing reports.
• Ability to maintain accurate records (written and photographic) in computer database systems such as Excel, Envision Connect, JotForm or similar database program.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite products such as Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, etc.
• Ability to effectively work independently and as a collaborative member of a team.
• Current REHS/RS certification or eligibility to take the REHS/RS exam within one year of employment (see additional information in Licensing/Certification Requirements).

• Specific training in Environmental Health, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Microbiology, Epidemiology, Food Science or other related field.
• Knowledge of environmental and food sampling techniques; sample handling procedures; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and safety procedures for working around and with hazardous materials. 
• Ability to identify and address community members’ individual and systemic barriers to compliance or participation.
• Training or knowledge of trauma informed communications, behavior change, and/or motivational interviewing. 
• Fluent in one or more non-English languages most spoken in King County (Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Arabic, and/or Ukrainian) 

• For HEI II: Registered Sanitarian (RS) certificate from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSBRS) is required at the time of hire.  (All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.) 
• HEI I: obtain Registered Sanitarian Certificate within 1 year of hire date from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSBRS). See REHS/RS eligibility requirements at https://www.neha.org/node/1209 or http://www.wsbrs.org/getreg.html.
• Valid Washington State driver's license by time of hire.

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination, or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

• 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. 
• Responses to supplemental questions.

• 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.

• 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.

• These positions may require the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety of weather conditions.
• Most of these positions will require the incumbent to drive for field work.
• Exposure to individuals from the public who are upset, angry, agitated, and sometimes hostile, requiring the use of conflict management and de-escalation skills.
• These positions may require the incumbent to occasionally travel by ferry.