Environmental Health Entry Level Jobs in California

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2026-013
Department: Health - Administration
Division: Environmental Health
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Kings County Department of Public Health is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of:
Environmental Health Specialist I/II:
Level I: $55,723.20 - $67,995.20 Annually
Level II: $61,568.00 - $75,150.40 Annually
We are seeking Environmental Health Specialists I/II to help protect community health across a wide range of environmental programs. You'll conduct inspections, enforce health and safety regulations, respond to environmental concerns, and provide hands-on guidance in areas like consumer protection, hazardous materials, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and land use. Whether you're building your skills or working independently as a registered specialist, you'll make a real impact in keeping our community safe and compliant.
We encourage you to apply today to join a dedicated team serving our community!
To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click here to watch a short video.
You can click here to watch a brief video showcasing the exceptional benefits available to our employees.
DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Performs regulation and enforcement of environmental health safety laws, rules, and regulations; interprets the more specialized environmental health regulations, rules, and policies related to environmental health program areas.
• Inspects retail food establishments, public swimming pools and spas, water systems and medical waste facilities for compliance with applicable health codes; visually inspects for conformance with applicable codes and regulations; collects required food and water samples; follows up on complaints; writes and issues violation notices.
• Conducts housing, detention facilities, and school inspections and issues corrective action and violation notices.
• Provides educational information to property and business owners, employees, and the public on environmental health regulations and safety; instructs food service workers on the proper handling of food.
• Performs plan review and approval of food facilities, body art facilities, commercial swimming pool facilities, septic systems, and water wells.
• Compiles data for and prepares comprehensive reports related to inspections, investigations, and studies completed.
• Provides general information to the regulated community and public regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations; receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns, and complaints from the public regarding division activities and programs.
• Confers with officials of other public agencies and persons with private business.
• Participates in community education and public information efforts.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to citations and violations; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.

Experience:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: None required.

• Environmental Health Specialist II: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Environmental Health Specialist I with Kings County.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Environmental Health Specialist I:Possession of a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the California Department of Health Services.

• Environmental Health Specialist II: Possession of a valid California Department of Health Services certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist to be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators.
SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. The selection process may include the following:
(1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or
(2) Written examination(pass/fail) and/or
(3) Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.
Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Final Date to Apply: August 14, 2026
SME Review: Week of August 17, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of September 1, 2026
Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California.
Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 62
Safety - 2.7% at 57
If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 55
Safety - 3% at 55
The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.
Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable
Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure.
Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.
Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.
Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.
Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher level job with the County. This program is subject to annual funding.
Flexible Benefits Program: Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums).
Specialty Pays: See for information.
Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
01
The application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed fully. The following supplemental questions are used to help determine qualifications and eligibility to continue in the recruitment process. All education and experience used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on the education and work history portion of your application. Incomplete applications or supplemental questionnaires cannot be revised after submission and may be grounds for rejection. Responses such as "see resume" or "see application" or brief general statements will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may be rejected. By clicking "I Accept" below, I certify that I understand and will follow the application instructions.

• I Accept

02
Do you possess equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science? NOTE: Education must be included on your application.

• Yes
• No

03
Provide the following information regarding your education. Your response MUST include the following information:1) College or University attended;2) Major or area of study;3) Degree(s) received; and4) Specific listing of all science semester units you possess (List each class and the number of earned semester units for consideration).Note: The hiring department may require transcripts at the time of the department interview. Type "N/A" if you do not possess the required education.
04
Are you registered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as an Environmental Health Specialist or do you possess a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the CDPH? Note: Applicants must attach proof of registration or letter of acceptance to their application to be considered. For information on how to add attachments to your application, click

• Yes, I am registered by the CDPH as an Environmental Health Specialist I and I understand I MUST attach proof of registration to my application.
• Yes, I have a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist II and I understand I MUST attach a copy of the letter to my application.
• No, I am not registered by the CDPH as an Environmental Health Specialist NOR do I possess a letter of acceptance as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee from the CDPH.

05
Describe your experience performing environmental health inspections of retail food facilities, public swimming pools and spas, water systems, medical waste facilities, housing, detention facilities, and/or schools. BE SPECIFIC. In your response, include the following:1.) Name of employer where you gained this experience2.) Dates of employment3.) Duties you performed related to this experience. Type "N/A" if you do not have any applicable experience in these areas.
06
Do you possess a valid California Driver's License (CADL)?

• Yes, I do possess a valid CADL.
• No, I do not possess a CADL but I am willing and ABLE to obtain one prior to appointment to this position.
• No, I do not possess a CADL and I am UNABLE t