careers.wa.gov

There is one opening for a Public Health Advisor 3 within the Division of Environmental Health, Office of Shellfish and Water Protection.  This recruitment may be used to fill other Public Health Advisor vacancies as they occur statewide.  To learn more about the DOH visit http://www.doh.wa.gov , the Division of Environmental Health, visit http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/default.htm and the Office of Shellfish and Water Protection visit http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/default.htm. 

Agency Profile

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, 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.  DOH recognizes that employees are our most valuable resource.  We trust them to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions.  We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce.  To learn more about DOH, visit http://www.doh.wa.gov. 

Location

It is not surprising that Olympia, Washington was the end of the Oregon Trail and later became the state capital.  This small city of 50,000 residents is located on the southern tip of the beautiful Puget Sound and in the shadow of the majestic Mt. Rainier, the tallest peak in the Cascade Range.  People come here for skiing, boating, hiking, and to simply enjoy all the beauty offered in the Pacific Northwest.  For more information, check out www.visitolympia.com.

Primary Duties 

This position works in the Shellfish Program’s Growing Area Section, which determines if shellfish growing areas meet national sanitary requirements.  Leads shoreline surveys to identify and evaluate pollution sources to determine if those sources may expose the public to shellfish-borne illnesses.  Analyzes water quality data and shoreline survey information and develops sanitary survey reports.  Assists with the management of conditionally approved growing areas when needed and assuring that commercial harvesters are notified about closures in a timely manner.  Assist with the management of emergency closures of growing areas due to pollution events from floods, extreme rain events, and spills.  This position is the lead for the relay program, which reviews and processes applications to allow the natural purification of contaminated shellfish.  Duties include:

• Planning, prioritizing, organizing, directing, and completing nonpoint pollution source assessments around commercial and recreational shellfish growing areas.
• Developing technical reports outlining identified impacts to commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting areas.
• Interacting with tribes, government agencies, businesses and the public on technical issues.
• Assisting with the closure and reopening of shellfish areas that are periodically impacted by pollution sources.
• Evaluating applications to move shellfish from one growing area to another.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental or physical science, natural science, environmental planning, or other closely allied field.
• Four (4) or more years (full-time equivalency) professional experience in public health or environmental health, including two (2) or more years (full-time equivalency) of field experience evaluating nonpoint water pollution sources and one year (1) evaluating or designing on-site sewage systems.
• Intermediate-level experience using word process software (such as MS Word).
• Basic-level experience using spreadsheet software (such as MS Excel) and database software (such as MS Access).
• Experience using MS Outlook; and the Internet as a resource tool.
• Demonstrated work experience using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units, and mapping software.

The DOH is interested in applicants who have demonstrated experience with the following competencies:

• Identifies key information, selects and sorts data and writes clear, concise, and well-organized reports.
• Develops and maintains good relationship with co-workers and contribute to the development, cohesiveness, and productivity of the team. 
• Builds rapport and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Meets deadlines and make the best use of available time and resources.

Desired Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in public health, environmental health, natural or physical sciences or allied field.
• Six (6) or more years (full-time equivalency) of experience in public health or environmental health with four years experience (full-time equivalency) evaluating nonpoint water pollution sources and two (2) years evaluating or designing on-site sewage systems.
• Two (2) or more years (full-time equivalency) of experience working at a local health jurisdiction on on-site sewage system issues.
• Registered Sanitarian in Washington State or with the National Environmental Health Association.
• Proven ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, to complete work satisfactorily and on time.

Conditions of Employment  

• Willing and able to work in an office and field settings in all climatic conditions.
• Willing and able to use a computer for extended periods of time within the accepted ergonomic standards.
• Willing and able to travel to remote locations within the 14 shellfish producing counties in Western Washington with occasional overnight stays or a flexible schedule.
• Willing and able to spend long hours on foot and have the ability to walk over rough terrain and up hills. 
• Willing and able to occasionally travel aboard a small boat to remote locations, getting in and out of the boat, without assistance.
• Willing and able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.
   

SPECIAL NOTE – Temporary Layoffs:  This position may be required to take temporary layoffs on up to ten scheduled work days during the fiscal year July 2010 – June 2011 to comply with the Temporary Layoff Bill – ESSB 6503, which was signed into law on April 27, 2010.

Application Process

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

1. A current applicant profile, and 

2. Include three professional references (at least one supervisor, peer, and if you’ve supervised other staff, subordinate) in your applicant profile.

3. Responses to the Supplemental Questions. 

Note:  This position is covered by an “Agency Shop” provision.  Therefore as a condition of employment, the incumbent of this position must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are placed into pay status. 

The Washington State Department of Health is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Linda Riggle at (360) 236-4226, Linda.Riggle@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6388.

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process and Questionnaire in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration. 

NOTE:  Education and experience listed and/or detailed in the Supplemental Questions, must be verifiable on the application form submitted.

NOTE: Applicant review begins August 2, 2010.  The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time.