Environmental Health Specialist I

Title: Environmental Health Specialist I

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $45,739 - $68,520

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CRATER-GREENSVILLE/EMPORIA

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Salary: EHS I Hiring Range $45,739 - $48,980
             EHS II Hiring Range $47,569 - $68,520.25


The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts.

Crater Health District, part of the Virginia Department of Health, is looking for passionate individuals to join our team in fostering healthy and resilient communities. Applications are now being accepted for the position of Environmental Health Specialist I/II for the onsite and food programs. Position location is available in the Greensville/Emporia Health Department, Surry Health Department and Sussex Health Department. Travel is required throughout the county/region and, at times, the district, to conduct business. A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Mileage reimbursement will be reimbursed at the standard mileage rate.

To qualify for the EHS I position, the applicant must be able to perform environmental health duties at the entry level as a trainee. Employees are typically new hires in formal and on-the-job training in one or more areas such as food sanitation, on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, and migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. EHS I employees receive close supervision and guidance. The selected individual Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program or VDH Shellfish program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 30 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) or National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) State Standardized Inspector. EHS I employees are then moved to the EHS II position upon successful completion.

To qualify for the EHS II position, the applicant must perform environmental health duties independently at the journey level in areas such as on-site soils evaluation, private well inspection, rabies abatement, communicable disease investigation, migrant labor camp inspection, and investigation of general environmental complaints. Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food or National Shellfish Sanitation Program State Standardized Inspector to qualify as EHS Senior.

A hiring incentive such as a sign on bonus may be considered for qualified candidates.

Crater Health District comprises the Cities of Hopewell, Emporia and Petersburg, as well as the Counties of Sussex, Greensville, Surry, Prince George, and Dinwiddie.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for the EHS I position, the applicant must meet all below-mentioned minimum qualifications:
• Experience communicating effectively with the public, as well as other internal/external partners and staff; Proficient in basic computer software.
• Experience providing services in professional, courteous manner, present educational programs to adults; uses a customer-service oriented approach to assignments and works effectively as a team member
• Time management skills in order to meet workload demands; Experience influencing behavior of foodservice employees/management
• Working knowledge of biology, chemistry and/or mathematics as related to environmental health. Ability to interpret and apply scientific technical and legal documents
• Must be able to complete training in the VDH Soils program, VDH Food program and be able to obtain credentials in one of the following within 20 months: VDH Standardized in Food, DPOR Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator (COSE), DPOR Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE)
• A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency

To qualify for the EHS II position, the applicant must meet the above-mentioned minimum qualifications for an EHS I in addition to the below listed minimum qualifications for an EHS II:
• Basic knowledge of biology, epidemiology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics
• Experience interpreting complex federal, state and local environmental health policies, regulations, and laws
• Skill in communication, both oral and written; ability to deal with the public and resolve conflict in a regulatory setting
• Experience preparing thorough documentation and reports of regulatory activities
• Skill as an educator/trainer of environmental health principles
• Experience interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations governing environmental health programs
• Experience analyzing information and making recommendations; to receive, understand and perform tasks as instructed by supervisor; to perform physically demanding tasks
• Must be DPOR licensed master alternative onsite soil evaluator or master conventional onsite soil evaluator, VDH standardized in food to qualify as an EHS II

Additional Considerations

Additional Considerations for EHS I:
• Experience in environmental health, such as experience gained as an Environmental Health Associate

 

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Xavier Callistro

Phone: (804) 691-3688

Email: xavier.callistro1@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 30 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 13 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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