$48.35 - $61.28 Hour
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed
Every Weekends
No weekends
None
Others
Morning shift
Day shift
Evening shift
Night shift
Others
Medical dental and vision coverage King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
Generous vacation and paid sick leave
Paid parental leave family and medical leaves and volunteer leave
Flexible Spending Account
Wellness programs
Onsite gyms and activity centers
Employee giving program
Employee assistance programs
Flexible schedules and telecommuting options depending on position
Training and career development programs
The Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division, Food & Facilities Section is seeking a skilled, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to fill the position of Plans Examiner, Food Program (Health & Environmental Investigator III). Health & Environmental Investigator III positions are key members of the Section leadership team that work collaboratively with businesses, trade associations, other agencies and Public Health colleagues. Key responsibilities include: reviewing and approving plans for new and remodeled food service establishments and schools; training field investigators in plan review related duties; supporting field staff with plan review related information; staying up to date on new and emerging plan review processes; and implementing plan review quality assurance and quality controls.
The Food & Facilities Section contributes to healthy, diverse communities by permitting, educating, and inspecting over 1,800 water recreation facilities, 12,500 permanent food businesses, 40 farmers markets, 3,000 temporary food businesses, and issues over 50,000 food worker cards annually.
The successful candidate will have a passion for environmental public health and creating heathier lives for all people in King County, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be effective collaborating with architects, designers, agency partners and colleagues. The successful applicant will work with a collaborative team of plans examiners and colleagues across the Food & Facilities Section.
Background
Through the work of 165+ 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.
The Food & Facilities Section contributes to healthy, diverse communities by permitting, educating, and inspecting over 1,800 water recreation facilities, 12,500 permanent food businesses, 40 farmers markets, 3,000 temporary food businesses, and issues over 50,000 food worker cards annually.
To learn more, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs
Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional career service, term limited temporary (TLT), short-term temporary (STT), or special duty assignment (SDA) vacancies over the next 6 months.
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
This full-time position is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime. The normal workweek is Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Alternative work schedules are available subject to supervisor and manager review and approval.
Work Location
The work associated with this position will be performed predominately through a hybrid work schedule of onsite (either the Chinook Building or Eastgate Public Health Center) and remote work. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. The Environmental Health Division reserves the right to place staff at worksite locations or transfer staff to new worksite locations that best support the efficient delivery of services.
Teleworking:
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.
Job Duties
Review and approve plans for new and remodeled food service establishments and schools and perform pre-operational inspections.
Train, coach, mentor and provide technical assistance to new and current staff. Contribute to a collaborative and empowered work team and environment.
Provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance decision-making to architects, designers, food industry and facility representatives and the general public.
Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of program and quality assurance initiatives. Assist in the development, evaluation, and use of performance dashboards to support data-driven decisions.
Stay up-to-date on new and proposed food policies, practices and processes to enable the program to be responsive to the changing food and environmental health climate. Identify community needs and characteristics to prioritize and improve plan review services.
Research and draft program policies, procedures, correspondence, and technical reports.
Provide backup and support to other seniors and supervisors.
Implement program activities and priorities in alignment with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance, the King County Strategic Plan, and the Environmental Health Division Strategic Plan.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):
A Bachelor’s degree meeting the minimum requirements for obtaining a valid certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).
Knowledge of, and experience applying, the Washington State Retail Food Code, the King County Food Code or food codes in other state or local jurisdictions.
Demonstrated cultural competence working with diverse populations. Demonstrated ability applying principles of equity and social justice while providing government services.
Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and enable teams and co-workers through instruction, encouragement, and constructive feedback.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and provide presentations to a wide range and size of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public, program staff and other agencies; and to participate effectively on committees and work groups to collaboratively discuss and resolve issues and develop recommendations for long term program planning and evaluation.
Demonstrated knowledge of environmental health statutes, rules and regulations for food establishments and schools.
Demonstrated ability to research and draft program policies, procedures, correspondence, and technical reports.
Demonstrated proficiency with computer systems, Microsoft Office software, databases and plan review or design software.
The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):
Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health or equivalent.
Certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).
Established effective working relationships with food program partner agencies (such as other local health jurisdictions, Washington State Department of Health, Food & Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control).
Bilingual in one of most common non-English languages in King County (such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, Russian, Hindi, Punjabi, Amharic, Somali).
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors and outdoors in office environments, food establishments, schools, water recreation facilities and other field locations in a variety physical and weather conditions that may include:
Walking on wet and greasy floors, uneven terrain, up and down stairs and working around heavy machinery, strong odors, dusts, animals, and various types of chemical products and wastes.
Carrying, using, and maintaining in the field portable computers, environmental sampling equipment, and educational and enforcement documents.
Interaction with individuals from the public who are upset, angry, agitated, and sometimes hostile, requiring the use of conflict management and de-escalation skills.
This position may require strength enough to lift, carry, push, or pull equipment and other objects weighing up to 40 pounds as well as refrigerator and freezer doors.
Performance of job duties requires driving on a regular basis and a valid Washington State Driver's license.
This position may require the incumbent to occasionally access or travel by ferry or boat.
Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Within six months of hire, Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS). Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity.
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at: www.neha.org/professional-development/credentials/rehsrs-credential
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at: www.wsbrs.org
Valid Washington State driver's license.
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.
Supplemental Information
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
This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Application Process
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.
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)
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, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment and Pre-employment Physical.
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 a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Union Membership
This position is represented by PROTEC17
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.
Communication
Leadership
Teamwork
Interpersonal
Learning/adaptability
Self-management
Computer
Problem solving
Strong work ethic
technology
Others
A Bachelor’s degree meeting the minimum requirements for obtaining a valid certificate as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or as a Registered Sanitarian (RS) from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS)
Knowledge of and experience applying the Washington State Retail Food Code the King County Food Code or food codes in other state or local jurisdictions
Demonstrated cultural competence working with diverse populations
Demonstrated ability applying principles of equity and social justice while providing government services
Demonstrated ability to lead motivate and enable teams and co-workers through instruction encouragement and constructive feedback
Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and provide presentations to a wide range and size of audiences
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public program staff and other agencies; and to participate effectively on committees and work groups to collaboratively discuss and resolve issues and develop recommendations for long term program planning and evaluation
Demonstrated knowledge of environmental health statutes rules and regulations for food establishments and schools
Demonstrated ability to research and draft program policies procedures correspondence and technical reports
Demonstrated proficiency with computer systems Microsoft Office software databases and plan review or design software
Service industry
9
In-person