Environmental Health Specialist Trainee
Salary
$92,897.71 - $112,934.06 Annually
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
26/07-2610-O
Department
Department of Health Services (DHS)
Opening Date
07/20/2026
Closing Date
7/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
75
Position Information
Build a career in Environmental Health and join the Department of Health Services as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee!
Starting salary up to $54.11/hour ($112,934/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*
The Department of Health Services is currently recruiting to fill one full-time Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) position at either the Trainee, I, or II level. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level.
Please Note: The EHS Trainee positions require possession of a valid letter of eligibility issued by the State of California to start an EHS Trainee program. For more information on the requirements and process to obtain a letter of eligibility, please visit the CA Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program website.
About the Position
Were looking for a motivated individual to join our team as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee who wants to build their career in Environmental Health. This role is vital to protecting public health, serving the community, and supporting the functions of the Environmental Health Section. As an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee, you will:
Learn how to perform inspections and investigations across a wide range of programs, including but not limited to: Food Facilities, Recreational Facilities, Cannabis Facilities, Medical Waste Facilities, Water Systems, Beach monitoring, Solid Waste, Body Art, Childhood Lead Prevention, Storm Water, Organized Camps, Detention Facilities, and Disaster Preparedness
Ensure compliance with County and State health and safety regulations through routine inspections, complaint responses, documentation, enforcement actions, and public education
Learn how to prepare thorough inspection reports, interpret relevant health codes, and communicate findings and corrective actions to stakeholders
Interact regularly with the public, businesses, and regulatory partners, often providing guidance and support in diverse environments
As the ideal candidate for these positions, you will be dedicated to helping promote a healthy and safe environment, be an excellent communicator, and possess many of the following:
Knowledge of sanitation science, public health principles, and relevant environmental health laws and regulations
The ability to adapt to an evolving public health landscape and perform a broad range of functions to meet Departmental operational needs
The ability to identify potential issues, research these issues, prepare supporting documentation, and present these observations accurately and effectively
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and general computer skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, documentation, and presentations
The ability to think critically, research regulatory issues, and analyze field findings
A strong sense of empathy for the clients you will work with
The ability to build collaborative relationships with a diverse community, team members, and partner agencies
Work is primarily performed Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends to inspect temporary events or respond to complaints. Many inspections are outdoors and require working in varying environmental conditions, including beaches, waste sites, and food service facilities.
As an EHS Trainee, your employment would be limited to a maximum of 36 months. Within that period, you are expected to obtain a certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California. After you obtain your California REHS certificate and based upon your performance and mastery of the Trainee position, you would then be eligible for promotion to Environmental Health Specialist I, within three years from your appointment as an EHS Trainee. EHS Trainees serve a one-year probationary period.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing youre working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein. Normally, this would include:
Experience: There is no experience requirement.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in environmental health science, biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology or a related subject, as required by state law, to obtain registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
Special Qualifications: Possession of a certificate issued by the state of California indicating that the person is an approved Environmental Health Specialist Trainee by the time of appointment, and possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist as required by the State of Californias Health and Safety Code within thirty-six months of appointment.
License: Possession of a valid drivers license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.
The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: sanitation science, requirements and procedures and the methods and procedures used in inspecting, investigating and correcting unsanitary conditions; federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental health and safety; principles and practices of public health; principles of general chemistry, physics, microbiology and biology; methods of gathering and analyzing data.
Ability to: learn to plan, organize and carry out research, analyze, and evaluate data and make recommendations based on findings; learn to detect unsanitary conditions and public health hazards and secure correction through education, voluntary compliance, or legal enforcement; prepare comprehensive reports; communicate verbal and written ideas clearly and logically; establish and maintain effective relationships with other governmental officials and the general public.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicants application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, drivers license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.
Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: SZ
HR Technician: KK
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits:*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.
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How did you first learn about this opportunity?
02
Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.
03
This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions and your level of proficiency.
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Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a degree in environmental health science, biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, or related subject, as required by California state law to qualify for a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certificate?
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Do you possess a current evaluation letter from the State of California, Department of Public Health which states you are eligible to begin training in an approved environmental health program?
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Please describe your college-level coursework and/or training related to environmental health and science. Detail the courses and/or training programs you have successfully completed, including the name of the course/program, the number of credit hours, and any degrees earned.
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Please describe your relevant work, college internship, volunteer, or other experience related to environmental health or regulation and enforcement.
Required Question
Employer County of Sonoma (CA)
Address 575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B
Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone (707) 565-1701