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Environmental Health Specialist I or II

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Environmental Health Specialist I or II

Salary

$5,186.61 - $8,046.13 Monthly

Location

Bend, OR

Job Type

Regular, full time, full benefits

Job Number

2025-00147

Department

Health Services

Opening Date

10/15/2025

Closing Date

10/29/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community-based settings.

This position is part of Public Health service area, which works to keep people healthy and safe by striving to improve and protect the health of people in Deschutes County. This work includes: disease prevention, surveillance and control; food and consumer safety; assuring clean and safe drinking water; ensuring access to essential health services; providing education about healthy lifestyles; implementing strategies to reduce and prevent high-risk behaviors among youth; and responding to pandemics and emerging threats, outbreaks and other events.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:

This position will perform a variety of technical functions including inspection of licensed facilities and investigation of basic environmental issues and complaints regarding water resources, land use, soils, food safety, air quality, public facilities, and solid waste disposal to protect the health and safety of County residents.

Key Responsibilities:

+ Conducting foodservice inspections in restaurants, mobile food units, and caterers.

+ Conducting Public Health Plan Reviews for new or remodeled foodservice operations.

+ Conducting inspections of childcare businesses, school lunch programs, and other licensed facilities.

+ Assist the public with complaints involving foodborne illness and hazards such as lead, radon, mold, and blue-green algae blooms.

What You Will Bring:

Knowledge of or experience with:

+ County, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances governing environmental health and safety programs, including Oregon Health Authority, Food, Pool, and Lodging, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality statutes, regulations, and standards.

+ Methods and techniques of inspecting a variety of plans, buildings, and technical documents.

+ Records management and customer service principles, protocols, and standards.

+ Standard and specialized computer software applications.

Skill in:

+ Investigating complaints, inspecting environmental hazards, and researching technical environmental quality issues.

+ Understanding and applying health and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, County standards, policies and procedures.

+ Checking details, estimates, plans, and specifications of projects.

+ Compiling and reviewing technical data, and developing technical reports.

+ Explaining health and safety inspection regulations, policies, and procedures.

+ Providing effective customer service, resolving conflicts, and dealing tactfully with clients.

+ Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.

+ Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clickingHERE. (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/deschutes/classspecs)

Compensation

Environmental Health Specialist I

$5,186.61 to $6,950.54 per month for a 172.67 hour work month.

Environmental Health Specialist II

$6,004.15 to $8,046.13 per month for a 172.67 hour work month.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:

Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please clickHERE (https://www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/human\_resources/page/682/2025\_deschutes\_county\_benefits\_guide\_-\_final.pdf) for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Public Health, or related field;

+ AND one (1) year of experience in business computers and customer service;

+ OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.

Placement in classifications is dependent upon education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, when necessary, to meet the needs of the department.

This position requires registration with the OHA’s Health Licensing Office as an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) or an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee (EHST). Registration as an EHS is required within 2 years of hire.

Physical Requirements:

Work is primarily performed in a field setting which may require protective equipment to protect against potential environmental hazards or involve working in uncomfortable conditions for extended periods of time. Ability to walk in rough terrain, stoop, bend, crawl, kneel, reach, stand, lift, grasp, talk, hear, see and to work in sometimes adverse weather conditions. Must have sufficient hand manipulative skills to operate small measuring and testing devices.

Deschutes County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and represents the diverse voices and needs of our communities. All are encouraged to apply - we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.

If you are a veteran and would like to apply for Veterans' Preference, please click HERE (https://www.deschutes.org/hr/page/veterans-preference-information-and-instructions) for information.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.

Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive health care package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following 1 month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

+ Life Insurance for employee and dependents

+ Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

+ Long-term Disability Insurance

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Retirement Program through Oregon PERS

+ Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

+ 125 Flexible Spending Program

+ 457 Deferred Compensation Program

+ Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visitwww.deschutes.org/hrand click on Employee Benefits.

01

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Public Health, or related field; AND one (1) year of experience in business computers and customer service; OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job. Do you meet the requirements as listed above?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications as listed above. Be specific with regard to education and years of experience.

03

This position requires registration with the OHA's Health Licensing Office as an environmental health specialist or be registered as an environmental health specialist trainee with the ability to become certified within two years of hire date. Please check the box that indicates your current status. (Questions regarding registration requirements should be directed to the OHA's Health Licensing Office at 503-378-8667)

+ I am currently registered with the OHA's Health Licensing Office as an environmental health specialist.

+ I am currently registered as an environmental health specialist trainee and have the ability to become certified within two years of hire date.

+ I have the ability to obtain registration with the OHA's Health Licensing Office as an environmental health specialist by hire date.

+ I am eligible for reciprocity as an Oregon Registered Environmental Health Specialist per the OHA's Health Licensing Office requirements.

+ I do not possess or have the ability to obtain registration with the OHA Health Licensing Office as an environmental health specialist by hire date.

04

Preference will be given for bilingual in English and Spanish. Do you speak and/or write in English and Spanish?

+ No.

+ Yes, I speak English and some Spanish.

+ Yes, I speak English and Spanish fluently.

+ Yes, I speak and write in English and Spanish.

05

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, when necessary, to meet the needs of the department. Can you meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

06

Successful candidates must have the ambulatory ability to drive throughout Deschutes County and to provide face-to-face services in a variety of settings in the community, including hospitals, jails, clinics, client homes, etc. Applicants must also be willing and able to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions. Can you meet these requirements?

+ Yes

+ No

07

Are you able to meet the requirements of the position with or without accommodation?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

Deschutes County Human Resources

Address

1300 NW Wall Street Suite 201Bend, Oregon, 97703

Phone

(541) 388-6553

Website

https://www.deschutes.org/jobs

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