Environmental Health Specialist Trainee - $1,500 Hiring Incentive

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

Pay Range:

$31.03 - $38.00 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

June 01, 2025

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

Join us at Multnomah County Health Department, where we are seeking individuals who embody leadership, achievement, and action in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. Our mission is at the heart of everything we do: to collaborate with communities, advance health equity, safeguard the most vulnerable, and foster health and wellness for all. Guided by our core values of Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity, and Integrity, we strive to create a workplace culture characterized by respect, trust, and understanding for the incredibly diverse populations we serve in our communities.

Multnomah County's Public Health Division is a vital resource for residents, working to promote physical and mental health, prevent disease and injury, and ensure access to essential health services. Some of our key functions and services include: preventing and controlling diseases, supporting maternal and child health, addressing mental health and substance use, ensuring environmental health, and promoting health equity.

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 Trainee will perform a variety of inspection duties toward the promotion and maintenance of environmental health laws in licensed facilities, including food service operations, swimming pools and spa pools, tourist accommodations and schools.

As the Environmental Health Specialist Trainee, you will:

• Assist in the inspection of food, tourist, housing, school, institutional care and day care facilities, and public swimming and spa pools for compliance with state sanitation laws and regulations.
• Conduct health hazard surveys and assist in conducting public water system surveys; follow up on alerts.
• Assist in the investigation of communicable disease outbreaks implicating food or water or other environmental causes in public facilities or in a community; recommend necessary control measures.
• Assist in the review of building and mechanical plans and specifications of proposed or existing facilities for compliance with public health laws.
• Assist in the review of food trucks / food pod plans and specifications of proposed or existing facilities for compliance with public health laws.

$1,500 Hiring Incentive: Newlyhired Regular Status Environmental Health Specialist Trainees will receive a one-time New Hire Recruitment and Retention Incentive payment of $1,500. The incentive will be prorated based on the position's FTE status.

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:

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree and at least 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent semester hours, in science courses relating to environmental sanitation from an accredited college or university as outlined by ORS 700.035; OR
• Have at least 15 quarter hours, or the equivalent semester hours, in science courses relating to environmental sanitation from an accredited college or university and at least five years of experience in environmental sanitation or related activities, as determined by the board, under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person possessing equal qualifications, as determined by the board, as outlined by ORS 700.035.

Training, Licenses, and Certifications:

• Must meet Environmental Health Specialist Trainee requirements as outlined by ORS 700.035
• Possession of Driver’s License at time of hire

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.

• Up to one (1) year of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position
• Possession of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee in the State of Oregon
• 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 Trainee positions. The $1500 Hiring Incentive is only applied to Regular Status 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.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Rebecca Richko

Email:

rebecca.richko@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 9971646

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.

Job Profile:

6354 - Environmental Health Specialist Trainee