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Environmental Health Specialist I – Water Quality Program. Full-time, on-site. Department of Environmental Health, County of Thurston, WA.

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Requisition #: 889. Salary Range: $5,147.00 – $6,847.00 Monthly. Application Closes: September 25, 2026.

Position Description

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist I for our Environmental Health Division. 

In your role as an Environmental Health Specialist I, you will primarily be responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental health regulations to protect public health and community resources. You will investigate complaints and potential violations involving concerns such as failing septic systems, improper animal waste management, and other environmental health issues, working with property owners and occupants to identify and correct violations and achieve compliance. You will also support our countywide stream and lake monitoring program by collecting and managing high-quality water quality data in accordance with our quality assurance project plan and helping communicate results to the public. 

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Enforce the PHSS Sanitary Code in relation to water quality concerns
  • Interpret laws and policies, assist with program development, draft policies, and make recommendations for consideration by department management and the Thurston County Board of Health
  • Investigate, sample, evaluate, and act upon public complaints of conditions involving pollution, disease, illness, or contamination
  • Conduct sanitary surveys and dye tests on onsite sewage systems
  • Document inspection results and prepare documentation needed for enforcement action for failing septic systems and other nonpoint pollution sources
  • Work with property owners and residents to correct conditions on their site that contribute to or have the potential to contribute to pollution
  • Conduct environmental studies by gathering, evaluating, and reporting on data 
  • Manage and analyze data
  • Maintain rigorous quality assurance/quality control standards
  • Offer technical support and education to the public
  • Conduct water quality monitoring in lakes, streams, groundwater, and marine waters
  • Write technical reports
  • Spend long hours on foot and walking over rough terrain and up hills, in addition to lifting objects and material weighing up to 25 pounds
  • Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations. This includes emergency preparedness training and exercises, relevant to the work expectations of duties during emergencies.

To view the full job classification, click here: Environmental Health Specialist I

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Environment – Primarily a field position Thurston County, WA 
  • Schedule – Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
  • Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
  • Customer Interactions – Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

  • Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
  • Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
  • Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
  • Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
  • Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
  • Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants:We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, bacteriology or related field.
  • One year of professional environmental health work experience requiring extensive public contact. Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
  • Current Washington State driver’s license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

DESIRED SKILLS: 

Respect and Organizational Culture

  • Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
  • Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
  • Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

  • Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
  • Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
  • Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
  • Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

  • Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
  • Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
  • Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
  • Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
  • Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

 OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569.  This position is:

  • Represented by a union
  • Eligible for benefits
  • Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Grant funded

 Items required for consideration:

  • Application
  • Resume
  • Letter of interest
  • Possess a current Washington State Driver License or have an appropriate accommodation

PLEASE NOTE: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date: Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR); Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

 THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.

Emergency Services Coordinator. Early career position. Full-time, on-site and in the field when needed. Deschutes County Health Services, Bend, OR.

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Requisition #: 1140393. Salary Range: $76,326.85 – $102,238.66 Annually. Application Closes: not posted.

Summary

FLSA:   Non-exempt
Grade:  S080

Under general supervision, coordinates emergency management initiatives and projects within Deschutes County to include planning, organizing, equipping, training and exercising. Scope of work includes all phases of disaster (prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery). Collaborates with stakeholders to build emergency management capacity and capability.  Distinguishing Characteristics and Essential Functions

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a stand-alone classification. May train and mentor staff, as well as provide lead direction to volunteers, interns, and Incident Management Team members when activated. May serve in a leadership role by providing subject matter expertise and oversight during emergencies and disasters in the absence of the Emergency Services Manager. In the event of a declared emergency or planned exercise, must be able to work a 24 hour-a-day/7 day-a-week work schedule.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. It is not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the assigned department. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

  • Assists in preparing, convening and facilitating emergency management meetings, trainings, exercises, tabletops, simulated, functional and full-scale exercises for internal County operations and/or localized exercise events with outside stakeholders and collaborators.
  • Plans, organizes, monitors and controls performance of assigned projects in conformance with objectives, plans, schedules and budgets/grants. 
  • Maintains the emergency management facilities as necessary. 
  • Maintains critical databases and rosters to ensure that key personnel can direct and control operations during emergency situations.
  • Operate in, and in some cases, manage an Emergency Operations Center.  Ability to apply principles and practices of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
  • Support and sustain effective working relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust and collaboration, build consensus and facilitate communication throughout the community, to include partners representing local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Perform training needs assessments, identify resources and deliver training opportunities to local employees, volunteers, and the public in accordance with the county training/exercise program for personal safety and preparedness.
  • Attends and participates in local, state and federal seminars and related training programs.
  • Assists in the development, submission, implementation, reporting, and closeout of emergency plans, and grant applications.
  • Serves as a resource for questions from the public.
  • Assists with purchasing, coordinating, testing, inventorying, maintaining and training of County Emergency Management emergency response equipment or resources; to include but not limited to EOC/ECC facilities equipment, outreach and marketing materials, response trailers, command vehicles, various communications equipment, alert and warning technology, and social media.
  • Create, maintain and utilize end-user GIS applications.
  • Conducts thorough research and produces accurate, in depth reports and emergency plans based on factual, historical, and technical information. Maintains plans as applicable, and within any mandated update cycles.
  • Interprets and maintains up-to-date data and knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to emergency management.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned topics, which may include natural and man-made disasters, Emergency Operations Center operations, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), mutual aid, public information, alert and warning and other related issues.
  • Assists with the coordination and activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during actual disasters and/or planned events. May serve in a leadership or supervisory position on the Incident Management Team and/or in the absence of the Emergency Services Manager.
  • Assists in preparing after-action reports required at the conclusion of exercises and actual emergencies. Coordinates any applicable after-action areas of improvement. 
  • Assists in coordinating the provision of federal disaster relief programs. Gathers supporting data and applies for disaster assistance.
  • Delivers community-based presentations to small and large groups virtually and in-person.
  • Assists in the supervision of Emergency Services volunteers and interns.
  • Performs other duties as business needs necessitate.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

  • County organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
  • Customer service standards and protocols. 
  • Principles and practices of emergency management and community planning with a working knowledge of the functions and procedures of public safety agencies. 
  • Basic procurement procedures and contract administration.

Skill in:

  • Assisting with planning, organizing, coordinating emergency preparedness, public assistance, response and recovery programs and activities; 
  • Various software programs, database management, alert and warning systems, GIS, mapping software, etc.
  • preparing training programs and materials; 
  • assisting with negotiating and monitoring contractual agreements; 
  • preparing and maintain accurate, clear and concise records and reports; 
  • exercising sound judgement in appraising situations and in making critical decisions regarding complex issues
  • Coordinating and leading the work of volunteers and interns. 
  • Conduct research, analyze data and compile information from a variety of sources in dynamic and time-sensitive situations.
  • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing. 
  • Promoting and enforcing safe work practices.
  • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.

Ability to: 

  • Demonstrate courteous behavior when interacting with visitors and County staff.
  • Promote County goals and priorities, and comply with all policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field; AND two (2) years of relevant experience developing, implementing, and administering projects and programmatic assignments; OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.   Work Environment
  • Work is typically performed in a standard office environment and/or emergency operations center. In disaster situations or training environments, the physical demands may involve working out in the field with environmental exposures. 

Other Necessary Requirements

Licenses and/or Certifications 

  • Driving is an essential function of this position. Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Oregon Driver’s License within 30 days of hire date.
  • Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100 through 400, IS 700 and IS 800, and the FEMA Professional Development Series (PDS) within 12 months from date of hire.
  • Depending on area of assignment, additional certifications and/or licenses may be required.

COMPENSATION

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees. 

When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include: 

  • Life Insurance for employee and dependents
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Long-term Disability Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
  • Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

  • 125 Flexible Spending Program
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Program
  • Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County’s generous benefit offerings, please visit our Benefits page and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.