Health and Environmental Investigator I/II at King County, WA
King County, WA · Seattle, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Junior
- Office in Seattle
About the Department
Are you enthusiastic about solid waste, environmental health, and community engagement? Do you enjoy working in dynamic, meaningful roles that make a difference in people’s lives? The Environmental Health Services Division – Solid Waste team is currently seeking to fill multiple career service positions for Health & Environmental Investigator (HEI) Level I and Level II. Placement into HEI Level I or Level II depends upon the qualifications of successful candidates prior to the hire date (described further in the Qualifications section below).
Come join our team as a HEI I/II and help protect public health while supporting King County businesses, residents, and communities. As a Solid Waste Generalist, you’ll focus on solid waste facilities, waste compliance, and illegal dumping, while also gaining experience in rodent investigations, biomedical waste, waste screening, pet-related programs, and more. In this role, you’ll provide regulatory oversight, conduct inspections, and provide support to residents, businesses, and community partners, helping them comply with regulations and protect public health. Your work will directly contribute to the programs’ Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) goals while helping us create fair, effective, and inclusive programs that protect public health and serve all communities.
Background
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION
Through the work of 190+ dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division’s mission is to identify and sustain environmental conditions that promote healthy people and healthy communities. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve. We strive for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective, and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents.
Our Solid Waste Team is at the heart of this work. We provide regulatory oversight, technical guidance, and community outreach across programs including solid waste facilities, illegal dumping, rodents, biomedical waste, waste screening, pet businesses, and more. Team members work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to support residents, businesses, and partner agencies, helping to protect public health, ensure compliance, and advance Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) in everything we do — making a tangible difference in our communities every day.
To learn more, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs.
This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.
Salary Information (Depends on Qualifications)
- $38.3776 - $ 48.6456 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator I
- $45.3083 - $ 57.4309 Hourly: Health and Environmental Investigator II
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Work Schedule
Typical work schedule for these positions is Monday through Friday. Occasional evenings, weekend, fieldwork, and work at an office location is required. This is a Non-Exempt position and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.
Work Location
The Solid Waste Team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is at the Chinook Building located at 401 5th Ave, Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98104.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Position Duties
- Provide culturally competent education and technical guidance to businesses, facilities, the media, and the public, helping communities understand and comply with environmental health regulations.
- Interpret, explain, and apply complex regulations across solid waste facilities, illegal dumping and rodents, pet-related businesses, biomedical waste, and other environmental health programs.
- Conduct inspections, plan reviews, and investigations to ensure compliance with local and state regulations, identifying risks and promoting safe practices.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to resolve complex compliance issues and develop coordinated solutions.
- Implement progressive enforcement actions when necessary, including notices, orders, civil penalties, and property liens.
- Collect, analyze, and maintain accurate data and records, contributing to reports, outreach efforts, and community education initiatives.
- Conduct technical research, shadow senior staff, and support process improvements to enhance program effectiveness and professional growth.
- Integrate Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) principles into all work and support the Environmental Health Division’s strategic goals.
Minimum Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):
- Eligibility to take the REHS/RS exam within 1 year of employment, including a Bachelor’s degree (see Licensing/Certification Requirements).
- Prior education or experience in one or more environmental health/public health disciplines such as living environment, indoor air, food safety, on-site wastewater, solid waste management, facility and site evaluation, emergency preparedness, infection control and prevention, disease outbreak investigations, etc.
- Ability to communicate and provide information verbally and in writing to the public.
- Valid Washington State Driver License and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Knowledge of environmental protection programs, laws, regulations, policies and processes.
- Knowledge of environmental health, science and engineering principles.
- Ability to interpret and apply environmental health regulations.
- Skill and ability to provide customer service to broadly diverse populations.
- Knowledge of enforcement techniques and evidence gathering.
Ability to follow established protocols and procedures accurately.
Skill and ability to engage with the public and business owners tactfully and professionally.
Skill in verbal and written communications.
Ability to demonstrate strong writing skills to create investigation reports, technical reports, and written communications to the public.
Ability to maintain accurate field records (written and photographic) in computer programs and database systems such as Excel.
Skills in using effective conflict management strategies.
Ability to maintain attention to detail while handling time-sensitive tasks.
Ability to work independently and collaborate as a supportive and effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
Skill in using office software tools effectively for data collection, reporting, and case management.
The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):
- Familiarity with conducting and drafting environmental health inspections electronically.
- Knowledge of and coursework in environmental science, toxicology, characterization of business waste streams, environmental engineering, and landfill hydrogeology.
- Experience with environmental sample handling, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and safety procedures for working with hazardous materials.
- Background or interest in toxicology and strong research skills.
- Training or knowledge in trauma-informed communications, behavior change, and/or motivational interviewing.
- Fluency in one or more non-English languages most spoken in King County (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali).
- Experience with policy development, community engagement, or program improvement initiatives.
- Familiarity with Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) principles and applying them in environmental health work.
- Master’s degree in Environmental Health or a related field.
Licensing / Certification Requirements
- For HEI II: Registered Sanitarian (RS) certificate from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSBRS) is required at the time of hire. All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.
- For HEI I: Obtain Registered Sanitarian Certificate within 1 year of hire date from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSBRS).
- Valid Washington State driver's license by time of hire.
Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity.
- REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at: Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Register Sanitarian Credential (neha.org)
- REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at: www.wsbrs.org
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.
Other Qualifications
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Who May Apply
These career service opportunities are open to all qualified candidates.
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Resume (Outlining relevant experience)
- Cover Letter (Expressing interest in this position)
Please note: additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation and Pre-employment Physical, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Union Membership
This position is represented by the PROTEC17 labor union.
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at [email protected].
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