Environmental Health Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $78,291.20 - $105,518.40 Annually
Location : Santa Ana
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 5112HP-0426-042 (O)
Department: Health Care Agency
Division/Service Area: Public Health Services
Opening Date: 04/24/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
CAREER DESCRIPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
The eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Environmental Health Specialist II positions. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
THE HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) services areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Environmental Health Division (EH) is comprised of various programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Environmental Health Specialist II (EHS II) is the journey level in the Environmental Health Specialist series and works independently with minimal technical direction.
Incumbents may be assigned to a specialized environmental health program, complex assignments, and unusual, sensitive, or difficult inspections and investigations. Incumbents may also provide technical assistance and training to other environmental health staff. Essential job duties and functions include, but are not limited to:

• Interact daily with food facility operators, pool operators, business owners, and members of the public to explain violations and regulatory expectations and provide education on laws and prevention strategies to ensure public health and safety
• Enforce public health laws and regulations which include conducting periodic inspections and investigations in restaurants, mobile food facilities, pools, and spas to ensure public health and safety.
  This involves:
  • entering kitchens, mechanical rooms, pool pump rooms, and other environments that may be noisy, wet, or physically restrictive
  • conducting inspections both indoors and outdoors in hot, cold, rainy, or humid weather conditions
  • carrying inspection equipment up to 30 pounds
  • identifying violations and determining corrective actions to ensure compliance
  • communicating and documenting findings in detailed inspection reports provided to the public
• Handle challenging and complex situations in a professional manner with facility operators to address non-compliance and enforce regulations, including delivering corrective action plans that may be met with resistance or confrontation

• Advance skills and knowledge of public health laws and regulations including enforcement of health codes, conducting food safety inspections and investigations, issuing permits, and all the EHS core competencies

IMPORTANT - REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) II applicants must attach a certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Applications submitted without this certificate will not be processed.
Information on how to obtain the certificate as a REHS can be found by visiting the
CORE COMPETENCIES
The Ideal candidate will also possess the following core competencies:
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Possesses sufficient skills and knowledge, such as food safety and environmental health concepts, to perform key components of the job
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of environmental health principles and practices, including understanding of environmental risk assessment, public health safety, and disease prevention to complete work accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner; pays attention to important details
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail to identify potential violations, ensure accuracy, and support through inspections and documentation
• Proficiency in navigating modern technologies, including word processing, and database systems with confidence and efficiency.

Adaptability/Flexibility

• Maintain composure in high-pressure situations and approaches challenges with solution-oriented mindset, effectively managing reactions, emotions, and decision-making in a professional and productive manner
• Ability to quickly adjust to changes in work processes and team dynamics, reassess situations, and develop effective strategies when faced with challenging or evolving circumstances
• Effectively establishes goals and priorities, follows through on commitments and deadlines, and adapts to shifting priorities with focus and composure, maintain productivity without becoming overwhelmed
• Demonstrates openness to learning and adaptability by actively seeking guidance, feedback, and direction from supervisors, and applying coaching to enhance performance

Critical Thinking/Judgement

• Uses common sense and exercises good judgement in decision-making; understands the limits of decision-making capabilities
• Identifies potential problems and analyzes relevant facts and possible solutions or alternatives before taking action; considers the impact of decision(s) on others
• Asks effective questions and gathers adequate information to make quality recommendations and credible decisions

Organization/Effectiveness

• Structures activities and assignments to maximize efficiency and results; commits to achieve goals
• Effectively plans and organizes a large volume of work; makes good use of time to accomplish assigned duties and projects within established timeframes
• Generates new ideas and champions initiatives to enhance effectiveness in a fast-paced and dynamic environment; collaborates with peers and supervisors to identify and implement improvements

Communication/Customer Service

• Engage with clients and stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner, utilizing effective business communication to support enforcement activities
• Actively listen to concerns, addresses and resolves issues, and helps prevent potential public health hazards and safety risks
• Collect information to produce clear, concise, and detailed written documents and reports
• Tailor communication to clearly convey complex and technical information in a manner that is easily understood by diverse stakeholders, including the public, public officials, community partners, agencies, and County leadership
• Build positive relationships with restaurant staff to educate, guide, and collaboratively resolve health and safety issues

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Required licenses, certifications, and registration must be maintained throughout employment in this class.
A valid California Class C Driver's License, which must be maintained throughout employment in this class, is required. Employees in this class will be required to use their own personal vehicle.
A valid certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for the Environmental Health Specialist II as well as the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants with the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.
Application Screening| (Refer/Non-Refer):
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Athena Corrales at 714.834.6713 or
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Employer
County of Orange
Address
400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701
Phone
714-834-2555
Website
Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
Click for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
01
The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Incomplete information will result in a lower rating. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the question. If you do not have experience, please write N/A.NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be scored.

• Yes
• No

02
Please note that you are required to attach a copy of a valid certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to your application to move forward in the recruitment process. Are you in possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the California Department of Public Health?

• Yes
• No

03
If you possess a valid certificate or registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) by the State of California, please provide your REHS License Number below. If you do dot have one, please write "N/A".***Please note that you must include a copy of your valid certification as a REHS with your application***
04
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to carry out essential functions.If you are selected, will you be able to present a valid California Driver's license (Class C or higher) by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

05
This position requires driving to multiple sites each day. Candidates who ...