This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-offs are 5:00 pm on:

Environmental Specialist is a single class with two levels: Environmental Specialist (Level II) and Environmental Specialist (Level I). The level at which initial appointments are made and when advancements occur are at the discretion of the appointing authority. Incumbents may advance from Level I to Level II, if they have: (1) met the minimum and special qualifications, and (2) have demonstrated the ability to perform the responsibilities required at the higher performance level. Under supervision, the Environmental Specialist (Level I/II) performs scientific and professional level office and field work to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Knowledge Of

• Basic principles of environmental compliance assurance
• Basic principles of environmental sciences
• Mathematical compilation and analysis
• Principles of chemistry and chemical reactions
• Effects of waste material on water quality and land quality and the interactions of waste with the environment
• Environmental practices with special reference to their general effect on public health and the quality of the environment
• Laws, codes, regulations, and policies affecting the department’s operations and programs
• Applicable tools, equipment and materials
• Principles and procedures of interviewing and fact-finding
• Principles, practices and techniques of customer service

• Read English at a level necessary to examine, interpret, and apply scientific, legal, technical, and complex guidelines, documents, records and reports
• Speak English at a level necessary to communicate clearly and effectively
• Write English at a level necessary to produce concise, accurate and impartial reports, narratives, summaries and recommendations
• Communicate, verbally and in writing, scientific and technical terminology into terms understandable to the general public
• Locate, research, interpret, and apply environmental laws and regulations
• Work independently within established guidelines, prioritize and coordinate activities, and meet critical deadlines
• Perform work assignments related to environmental inspections, compliance, monitoring, regulation, and research
• Work cooperatively with others; build and maintain constructive relationships with those encountered during course of work; respond effectively and tactfully to hostility, confusion or concerns expressed by others
• Collect, process, evaluate, and summarize scientific and technical data and ideas to make effective decisions and develop appropriate solutions
• Develop, prepare, and present studies and reports to governmental boards, civic organizations and other groups
• Effectively represent the department in contacts and relationships with the public, local business community and other government agencies
• Use sound judgment and personal initiative to accomplish assignments
• Use appropriate interpersonal style and approach to ensure team cohesiveness and cooperation

Minimum Qualifications:
Level I
Either: 1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with major in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field.

Or: 2. Written proof of acceptance of education required by the State of California Environmental Health Services.

Incumbents assigned to positions requiring State Certification must achieve certification/registration within the period prescribed by State Law or be subject to dismissal under applicable Civil Service Rules.

Note: Applicants interested in Environmental Health positions are required to provide the acceptance letter mentioned above.

Level II
Either: 1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with major in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field.
And:
One year of professional experience in environmental regulation, analysis, or environmental research performing duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist (Level I) class in Sacramento County service.

Or: 2. Possession of valid certification as Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) by the State of California.

Or: 3. Possession of valid certification as Registered Dairy Inspector by State of California.

Or: 4. Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field.

Note: Applicants interested in Environmental Health positions are required to provide documentation of the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).

Note: Up to one year of the required education may be substituted by full-time or equivalent part time experience similar to that described. 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month = 3 semester units or 4.5 quarter units.

Note: The word “experience” referenced in the minimum qualifications means full-time paid experience unless the job announcement states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Documentation Required With Application: Copies of transcripts or diploma identifying completion of required coursework MUST be submitted with the application.

Note: Failure to submit proof of educational requirements will result in disqualification from the examination.
Special Requirements:
License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher is required prior to appointment to this class. Failure to maintain a valid License may constitute cause for termination from this class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Special Skills:
Some positions may require the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language, in addition to English, or knowledge of a specific culture, such as Black Culture, Mexican/Spanish Culture, or Asian Culture.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stoop and kneel to conduct inspections, take water and other environmental samples, and inspect equipment
• Climb fences, stairs, and ladders
• Walk rough terrain and muddy fields
• Work in an underground environment
• Climb in and out of swimming pools under construction
• Wear protective clothing
• Normal hearing
• Normal verbal communication ability
• Visually distinguish between colors
• Calibrate and use technical and monitoring instruments
• Read gauges and meters
• see in dimly lit areas

Minimum Qualifications – To be accepted into the testing process, the information submitted on the application must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the required minimum qualifications by the cut-off date. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications by the final filing date will advance to the next testing phase – the Training & Experience Evaluation Exam.

Formula Rate (Training & Experience Evaluation) Exam – The evaluation of the candidate’s relevant experience, education and training, as shown in response to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questions, weighted 100%. A panel of subject matter experts will only evaluate the responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questions in this job announcement. All candidates successful in the testing process will be notified by mail of their score and ranking and placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the evaluation of the candidate’s responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questionnaire.

Note: Responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questionnaire must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date in order to be evaluated.

Note: The information provided should be consistent with the information in your standard County of Sacramento application and is subject to verification. Please refer to the Training & Experience Evaluation instructions (located in this job announcement) for guidance on how to respond to the supplemental questions.

How to Apply

As vacancies occur, a cut-off date will be established and posted in the County of Sacramento Employment Office. All applications/supplements received by 5:00 p.m. on the current posted cut-off date will be processed. Applications received after the current posted cut-off date will remain on file and processed after the next established cut-off date. Application packets may be submitted to our office on-line, in person or by mail. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the standard County of Sacramento application form and their responses to the supplemental questions on-line. However, any required additional documentation (such as copies of transcripts, etc.) must be submitted in person or by mail and clearly marked with the title of the job for which you are applying. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure his/her application, responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, and any other required document(s) are received by the current cut-off date. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Note: Resumes may be attached to your submitted application. However, a resume (electronic or hard copy) will not substitute for the experience information that is required on your application. Your application will be considered incomplete if the required information is not filled out in its entirety. A notation of “See Resume” will not substitute for the information requested on the application. To apply, please complete and submit a standard County of Sacramento application, responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, and any required document(s) by 5:00 p.m. on the application cut-off date to the:

County of Sacramento Employment Office
609 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone 916-874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service
Inter-Office Mail Code: 06-007
www.saccountyjobs.org

Note: The County of Sacramento Employment Office is not responsible for the untimely delivery of materials sent via U.S./specialized mail or County interoffice mail. For information regarding other County jobs, call (916) 874-5627. You will be provided with a recorded message, accessible 24 hours a day. Applications are available by calling (916) 874-5593 or www.saccountyjobs.org. For additional information related to the County of Sacramento’s employee benefits, appeal rights, application and testing process information, please read the “Sacramento County Employment Benefits You...” brochure, review the "Employee Benefits" section on our website, or review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).

For Applicants with Disabilities ONLY

Applicants with disabilities requesting an applicable ADA testing accommodation must complete and submit the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form filled out by applicant and their doctor to the Disability Compliance Office by the final filing date as listed in this job announcement. The Reasonable Accommodation Request Form can be obtained by clicking here or by contacting the Sacramento County Employment Office or Disability Compliance Office. Failure to submit this request by the final filing date may result in the County being unable to provide the requested accommodation in a timely manner for this administration of the examination. Sacramento County Disability Compliance Office 700 H Street, Room 5720 Sacramento, CA 95814

Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions
Please note that your response to the Supplemental Questionnaire is the exam for this job posting, and your responses to the questions will be scored against a pre-determined formula. Responses to the Supplemental Questions not received by the final filing date will not be rated.

Please complete the Supplemental Questionnaire attached to this job bulletin or if applying on-line, see the tab marked “Supplemental Questions”. This is an essential part of the testing process. When completing the Supplemental Questions, please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Please include 1) places of employment; 2) pertinent dates; 3) duties performed, etc. when responding to each question. If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely. A notation or reference to other materials such as resumes or the application will not be considered in scoring that part of the exam. Incomplete or missing responses to the Supplemental Questions will negatively affect your score.

If you are not submitting your application on-line, include the steps below when preparing your responses to the Supplemental Questions.