Public Health Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $29.48 - $39.74 Hourly
Location : Orange County
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5105HP-0326-042 (O)
Department: Health Care Agency
Division/Service Area: Public Health Services
Opening Date: 03/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
CAREER DESCRIPTION
Environmental Health Specialist Trainee (EHS Trainee)
(Assistant Environmental Health Specialist)
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 Assistant Environmental Health Specialist positions. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
THE 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 leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
Public Health Services (PHS) is a multi-dimensional department that includes Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Lab, Environmental Health, Community & Nursing Services, Clinical Services, and Health Promotion & Community Planning. Through assessment, policy development and assurance, PHS provides a wide range of services aimed at reducing death and disability by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Environmental Health Division (EH) is comprised of multiple 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 and communities with creating and maintaining 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 Assistant Environmental Health Specialist (AEHS) is the trainee level in the Environmental Health Specialist series.
Satisfactory performance at this trainee level involves completion of a comprehensive training academy and on-the-job training in a broad range of skills, techniques, and procedures. Essential job duties and functions include:

• Learn techniques and demonstrate knowledge of public health laws and regulations including enforcement of health codes, conducting food safety inspections and investigations, issuing permits, and all the core competencies required to take the California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam
• Interact daily with food facility operators, pool operators, business owners, and members of the public to explain violations, regulatory requirements, and provide education on laws and prevention strategies to ensure public health and safety
• Enforce public health laws and regulations, including driving to various locations to conduct inspections of restaurants, mobile food facilities, pools, and spas which involve:
  • 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

IMPORTANT - REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Assistant Environmental Health Specialist (AEHS) applicants must attach a valid Letter of Eligibility issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Applications submitted without this letter will not be processed.
Information on the REHS Program can be found by visiting the
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will also possess the following core competencies:
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Ability to learn, retain, and effectively apply specialized knowledge and techniques, such as food safety and environmental health principles, to successfully perform essential job functions
• Develop and apply a baseline understanding of environmental health principles and practices, including environmental risk assessment, public health safety, and disease prevention, to complete work accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner

• Detail- orientated to identify potential violations, ensure accuracy, and support thorough 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, follow 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

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 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

Critical Thinking/Judgement

• Effectively retain and apply training concepts and principles to perform daily job responsibilities
• Apply sound judgement and practical reasoning to make effective decisions, while recognizing the scope and limits of decision-making authority Identify potential issues, evaluate relevant facts, and consider alternative solutions before taking action, while assessing the impact of decisions on others
• Asks effective questions and gathers adequate information to make quality recommendations and credible decisions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for an Assistant Environmental Health Specialist 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 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.
Online Assessment|(Refer/Non-Refer)
Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in one or more job-related assessments. Applicants will be notified of their test date and access code, if applicable. Only the most qualified applicants will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process.
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
Email Notification
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 for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Athena Corrales at 714 834-6713 or acorrales@ochca.com
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
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
Please Note: You are required to attach a copy of the letter of eligibility to your application to move forward in the recruitment process. Information on the REHS Program can be found by visiting the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.Are you in possession of a Letter of Eligibility from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)?

• Yes, I have attached a legible photocopy of the letter from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) verifying eligibility to work as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee to my application.
• No

02
This position requires driving to multiple sites each day. Candidates who are selected for the position are required to use their personal vehicles for conducting inspections and County business and will be reimbursed through the mileage claim process. Do you have a reliable means of transportation that would enable you to conduct daily inspections and County business?

• Yes
• No

03
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) and by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

04
This is a public-facing, field-based position responsible for enforcing Health & Safety Code regulations and providing verbal public health and safety education. Selected candidates are required to work in the field and interact