
Title: Environmental Health Tech Specialist
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $66,093.00 - $74,063.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: LORD FAIRFAX-EH
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The successful candidate will have limited duties reviewing and approving/denying private sector construction permit, certification letter and subdivision review applications at the Fred/Win EH office. The position will also be responsible for providing advanced technical assistance to district onsite staff and mentoring new onsite staff across the district. The position will ensure consistency regarding application processing guidelines, data entry in EHD, reviewing AOSS Operator reports and enforcement of the regulations across the health district. The position will conduct Level II reviews with onsite staff individually on a quarterly basis. The position will provide hands on field training opportunities for onsite staff as a group semi-annually or as often as possible. The position will train onsite staff to conduct inspections of onsite sewage systems to the extent the agency is required to do so.
Serves as environmental health technical leader, mentor and subject matter expert as an advanced practitioner for the agency in one or more EH programs such as food safety, onsite soils evaluation, and grade A milk. Performs complex environmental health functions, provides consultation and training to staff, assists in conducting training and may provide formal input into performance evaluations of staff. Must complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications: VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer, VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO), VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist.
Minimum Qualifications
• Considerable knowledge of environmental health principles and practices related to the assigned program(s)
• Knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology as related to communicable disease
• Skill in evaluating the operation of assigned program area(s) and applying laws, regulations, and policies
• Skilled in proper use of instruments and equipment required for testing related to the assigned program area(s)
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations and policies governing environmental health
• Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to train and mentor program staff
• Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications:
o VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer
o VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO)
o VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist
Additional Considerations
• Ability to explain and interpret detailed and complex rules and regulations
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to train and mentor program staff
• Must be able to complete training within 24 months and obtain one of the following certifications:
• VDH Certified Milk Sanitation Officer
• VDH Certified Food Safety District Standardization Officer (DSO)
• VDH Certified Onsite Sewage System Technical Specialist
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.
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. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the 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!
Contact Information
Name: Karla Fillmore
Phone: 540-722-3470
Email: KARLA.FILLMORE@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.