Title: Environmental Health Associate
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III
Hiring Range: $16.26 - $20.00
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: PIEDMONT-PRINCE EDWARD
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/piedmont/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The Piedmont Health District proudly serves 7 counties and the local health departments within, including Prince Edward, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Buckingham and Cumberland. The position advertised is home-based in Prince Edward County but may require travel throughout the 7 counties in the district. A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Mileage will be reimbursed per the standard mileage rate.
As an EH paraprofessional, performs EH support work of moderate difficulty, requiring some independent judgment and knowledge of EH laws and regulations. Responsibilities include multiple tasks which collectively dominate the position's work such as:
(1) Drafts schematic drawings for water, well and septic system construction permits; takes field notes or EH Specialist (EHS) field notes and information from plat and application; develops schematic for the permit package using CAD software.
(2) Completes various permit/certificate packages for EHS review and signature.
(3) Explains permit or certification requirements to others.
(4) Performs on-site monitoring of completed wells in uncomplicated situations; determines compliance of well location within permitted area and compliance with well constructions techniques; reporting results to EHS.
(5) Monitors sites and collects soil and water samples in support of the sewage, swimming pool and marina programs.
(6) Performs routine investigations of animal bites, monitors confined animals to observe conditions, removes animal heads for rabies examination and packages for transport.
(7) Transports rabies, soils and food specimens/samples.
(8) Performs other routine environmental investigations of low technical complexity in response to public health complaints such as verifying excessive grass height, observing open trash, confirming the ongoing presence of standing water, etc.
Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:
Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc.
Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 – April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited to State Employees Only.
If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee.
Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.
Minimum Qualifications
• Skills in composition of reports, data entry and effective communication
• Proficient in basic computer software programs
• Ability to conduct inspections and investigations in all areas of environmental health, to work outdoors and perform moderately strenuous physical labor during all seasons
• Skills in problem solving essential
• Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency
Additional Considerations
• Experience in environmental health support
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Hope Bates
Phone: (434) 392-3984
Email: Hope.Bates@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
