Environmental Health Specialist II/III

Job Description

About the Opportunity

THE POSITION

This recruitment is being conducted to fill part-time and full-time vacancies for the Department of Environmental Resources. This recruitment will establish an eligible list for vacancies throughout Stanislaus County. Positions may be filled at the Environmental Health Specialist II, or Environmental Health Specialist III level, depending on the qualifications of the applicant(s) selected. Under general supervision, incumbent conducts inspections and samplings of dairy farms in Stanislaus County to determine compliance with the following provisions: California Food and Agricultural Code, California Code of Regulations, and the current edition of the United States Public Health Service Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). They also perform other related duties as assigned. Incumbents of this position are expected to possess a valid Environmental Health Registration issued by the California Department of Public Health and a valid Registered Dairy Inspector certificate issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture at the time of hire.

To learn more about the Department of Environmental Resources, click here .

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: Friday November 20, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of December 7, 2026

Questions? We're Here to Help!

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, the recruitment process, or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team at DER-HR@envres.org.

Typical Tasks

• Make inspections to determine compliance with State and local laws and regulations governing sanitation in food handling establishments, sewage disposal systems, substandard housing, land use and recreational health, water supply, public nuisances, and vector and rodent control. When necessary, recommend change and give instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations;
• Recommend changes and gives instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations;
• Advise food handlers on the correct method of sanitation protection in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• Investigate complaints, such as reports on food poisoning and public or private sanitation-related nuisances;
• Make sanitation surveys, when required, of communities and confers with local officials on sanitation problems;
• Investigate fly and other insect nuisances or infestations, make abatement recommendations, and instruct communities in control methods for carriers of all vectors-transmitted diseases;
• Inspect public and private recreational facilities;
• Make housing inspections to determine health and safety compliance with State and local housing laws and ordinances;
• Review plans for new subdivisions and food establishments, and recommend suitable water and sewage installations;
• Perform onsite evaluations of sewage disposal systems, including terrain, water table and soil suitability;
• Prepare correspondence and reports as required;
• Initiate legal actions as a result of non-compliance, by issuing a notice to appear in court, filing a criminal complaint or scheduling an administrative office hearing; and
• Represent the Department in public and private meetings, and speaks to public groups regarding the Department and related topics.
• Conducts inspections of dairies, dairy farms, retail outlets and distributors to determine compliance with State and local laws and regulations, governing the sanitation of facilities and compliance with product standards;
• When necessary, recommend changes and give instruction for correction of deficiencies and violations;
• Observe and report on the general health of dairy animals;
• Instruct personnel in the proper cleaning and sanitation methods, repair and dismantling and assembling of equipment and containers;
• Instruct dairy personnel concerning requirements of milk regulations and methods of maintaining a safe milk supply;
• Consult with and advise managing dairy personnel concerning general sanitation, repair and replacement of buildings and proper maintenance;
• Collect milk and by-product samples for analysis, and conduct appropriate tests;
• Interpret laboratory reports and discuss deficiencies with personnel;
• Gather evidence of violation of laws pertaining to milk and dairy products and may assist in preparing court cases;
• Take samples of water and sewage for laboratory tests;
• Inspect for rodent and insect infestation, and instruct in the control methods; and
• Maintain inspection records and prepare reports as required.
• Other related duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

SKILLS/ABILITIES
Environmental Health Specialist II

• Effectively instruct individuals and groups on the principles and reasons for a safe and healthy environment;
• Understand and interpret laws, rules and regulations;
• Read and understand construction plans and blueprints involving numerous mathematical computations;
• Speak effectively before groups;
• Write and verbally communicate instructions for correction of deficiencies and violations in a clear and concise manner;
• Plan, organize and carry out complex environmental health studies and reports;
• Oversee investigations;
• Respond effectively to complaints from the public; and
• Detect unsanitary conditions and public health hazards and secure their correction through education, voluntary compliance or legal enforcement.

Environmental Health Specialist III
Demonstrated ability with all Level II requirements plus :

• Work with a high degree of independence, exercising a broad scope of judgment and latitude;
• Perform unusual and difficult research and analytical work;
• Handle difficult environmental investigations and take enforcement actions; and
• Handle difficult public contact situations and negotiate compliance points effectively.

KNOWLEDGE
Environmental Health Specialist II

• Principles and practices of environmental sanitation, including water supply, sewage, industrial waste and refuse handling and disposal, housing and recreational sanitation, air pollution, vector control, food handling and processing, and solid waste management;
• Provisions of the Health and Safety Code;
• General principles and practices of public health;
• Sanitation provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, Administrative Code and related legal provisions;
• Methods and procedures used in inspecting, investigating and correcting unsanitary conditions;
• Principles and practices of environmental sanitation and sanitary science, and principles and practices of public health;
• Penal Code relating to public nuisances;
• Basic water works construction features, such as sewage disposal systems, swimming pools, and wells, sufficient to evaluate plans; and
• Environmental impact of building plans.

Environmental Health Specialist III
Demonstrated knowledge of all Level II requirements plus:

• The various laws and regulations relating to environmental health and solid waste management;
• Specific principles and practices of public environmental health and solid waste management;
• Complex environmental sampling techniques and standards;
• Quality assurance and quality control techniques as they relate to investigations; and
• Biological agents and their effect on public health.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary.

Closing Date/Time: 11/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific