Environmental Health Associate

Title: Environmental Health Associate State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III Hiring Range: 16.26 - 20.00 Pay Band: 3 Agency: Virginia Department of Health Location: PIEDMONT-PRINCE EDWARD Agency Website:https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/piedmontRecruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The Piedmont Health District proudly serves 7 counties and the local health departments within, including Prince Edward, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Buckingham, and Cumberland.

The position advertised is home-based in Prince Edward County but may require travel throughout the 7 counties in the district. A valid state drivers license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Mileage will be reimbursed per the standard mileage rate.

As an EH paraprofessional, you will perform EH support work of moderate difficulty requiring some independent judgment and knowledge of EH laws and regulations. Responsibilities include multiple tasks which collectively dominate the positions work, such as:

1. Drafts schematic drawings for water well and septic system construction permits; takes field notes or EH Specialist/EHS field notes and information from plat and application; develops schematic for the permit package using CAD software.
2. Completes various permit/certificate packages for EHS review and signature.
3. Explains permit or certification requirements to others.
4. Performs on-site monitoring of completed wells in uncomplicated situations; determines compliance of well location within permitted area and compliance with well construction techniques; reporting results to EHS.
5. Monitors sites and collects soil and water samples in support of the sewage, swimming pool, and marina programs.
6. Performs routine investigations of animal bites; monitors confined animals to observe conditions; removes animal heads for rabies examination and packages for transport.
7. Transports rabies, soils, and food specimens/samples.
8. Performs other routine environmental investigations of low technical complexity in response to public health complaints, such as verifying excessive grass height, observing open trash, confirming the ongoing presence of standing water, etc.

Conditions of Employment Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:

• Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
• Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc.
• Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
• Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year.
• Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1500 hours during the period of May 1 - April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
• Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
• Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited to State Employees Only.
• If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee.

Health-Care Personnel Requirements VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following:

• Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
• A one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered.
• Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years.
• The current years seasonal influenza vaccination.

Minimum Qualifications

• Skills in composition of reports, data entry, and effective communication.
• Proficient in basic computer software programs.
• Ability to conduct inspections and investigations in all areas of environmental health to work outdoors and perform moderately strenuous physical labor during all seasons.
• Skills in problem solving (essential).
• Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• A valid State Drivers License is required to operate a state vehicle or, if operating a personal vehicle, while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in environmental health support.

Special Instructions

• You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
• VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
• Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date.
• Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
• Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS/IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check, and E-Verify.
• Other financial credit, driving background checks, or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
• It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists; sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
• VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
• If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
• As a V3 Virginia Values Veterans employer, VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply.

Supplemental Questions You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

• Name: Hope Bates
• Phone: 434-392-3984
• Email: Hope.Bates@vdh.virginia.gov

Alternative Hiring Process In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI).

Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at [AHP Letter] or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022 - February 29, 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.