About the Position

The mission of the Office of Environmental Health & Safety is to improve the health of people in Washington State by reducing and preventing, where possible, human exposures to a variety of environmental hazards and disease pathogens associated with the disposal of wastewater, the food we eat, the schools our children attend, and the places we recreate and overnight.

This position reports to and works directly with the Shellfish Growing Area Manager to assure commercial shellfish harvesting areas are appropriately classified. The Shellfish Growing Area Supervisor is the principal planning consultant in the agency on shoreline surveys and shellfish restoration programs. This position supervises/manages the following:

This is a full-time permanent Environmental Planner 5 (EP 5) within the Division of Environmental Public Health – Office of Environmental Health & Safety.  This recruitment may be used to fill other EP 5 positions within the unit.

Learn more about EPH.

About DOH and our Employer of Choice Initiatives

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthy and safe.  Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To learn more about the agency, visit the DOH website and DOH Infographic (PDF) (Download PDF reader).

DOH is a great place to work and has implemented several “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• We are committed to diversity and inclusion. DOH fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce that is reflective of the customers we serve.  Watch the DOH “Diversity is Rising” video.

• We have an engaging Wellness@Health program which offers programs that support healthy behaviors and work/life balance. Our program provides wellness education, access to healthy food, physical activity classes, stress relief, and many other resources to support a healthy you.

• We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules, and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties.)

• We are making exciting steps towards modernizing our workplace by providing motivating and inspiring workspaces that promote creative thought, innovation, and collaboration among co-workers.  Take the DOH Workplace Modernization Virtual Tour.

• We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.  Eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers, or legal guardians can bring their infant (6 weeks to 6 months) when returning to work.  (Depending on job duties and work location.)  Watch KING 5’s Drew Mikkelsen report on the Infant at Work program.

What will you be doing? – Duties include:

• Leading a team of highly skilled and motivated Public Health Advisors.

• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, and evaluating work in the program areas of shoreline surveys, the restoration of sanitary conditions in shellfish growing areas, and conditionally approved area management.

• Serving as the subject matter expert for DOH in shoreline surveys, restoration of shellfish growing areas and conditional area management.

• Writing shoreline survey reports, sanitary survey reports and other technical reports that meet program requirements and effectively communicate detailed findings.

• Building partnerships with Tribes, local health jurisdictions, and other stakeholders.

• Recommending closures of shellfish growing areas around pollution sources and advises office on proper classification of shellfish growing areas.

• Providing technical assistance to other agencies, Tribes, the shellfish industry and other stakeholders that assist in supervised activities.

What we’re looking for

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  (NOTE:  Experience may have been gained concurrently.)

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Public Health, Environmental Health, Natural or Physical Science or an allied field.

• Four (4) or more or more years of professional experience in a public health or environmental health position.

• Two (2) or more years or more years of field experience evaluating nonpoint water pollution sources.

• One (1) or more years of experience evaluating or designing on-site sewage systems.

Preference may be given to candidate who have the following DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  (NOTE:  Experience may have been gained concurrently.)

• A Master’s degree in public health, environmental health, natural or physical science or closely allied field.

• Five (5) or more years experience in a public health or environmental health position.

• One (1) or more years of experience in the following:

o Working as a supervisor.
o Writing reports focused on shellfish sanitation.
o Working in/closely with a shellfish sanitation program.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions

With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:

• Work in an office or field environment.

• Work in a tobacco, drug, and alcohol free environment.

• Work Monday through Friday. Flexibility in work hours or work days is limited, but may be approved upon request.

• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines.

• Travel throughout the state (including rural areas) which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position.

• Travel aboard a small boat to remote locations and to get on and off the boat from the shoreline.

• Perform field activities, spending long hours on foot and walking over rough terrain and up hills.

• Work in a fast-paced/stressful environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

• Legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle.

• Move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce. Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Skyler Jones at (360) 236-4408, Skyler.Jones@doh.wa.gov , or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.

Application Process

Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the “Apply” button and submit the following:

1. A current detailed applicant profile; AND attach your detailed Letter of Interest that addresses the “Required and Desired Qualifications” (as listed above) and Resume to your profile.
2. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile.  Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised other staff) a subordinate.
3. Responses to the Supplemental Questions.

IMPORTANT:  DO NOT attach transcripts OR other documents that are not requested in the Application Process, or that are password protected.  These type of documents cause errors when downloading application materials and will not be forwarded to the hiring supervisor.  VETERANS, please feel free to attach a copy of your DD214.