Title: Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $51,401.00 - $60,255.00
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: DRINKING WATER-ABINGDON
Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is mandated to establish and enforce safe drinking water regulations. These functions are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. The Environmental Specialist Sr for Public Water Works position provides technical assistance to primarily groundwater waterworks. Core responsibilities include conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks, interpreting applicable federal and state regulations for waterworks owners and operators, offering guidance to help ensure compliance with health and safety standards, assisting waterworks in returning to compliance when violations occur, training operators on the operation and maintenance of waterworks, and providing the public with information on drinking water quality.
The Office of Drinking Water is recruiting an Environmental Specialist Sr – Public Water for the Abingdon Field Office, which works with public water systems in the 17 counties and four independent cities of Southwest Virginia. This is an excellent opportunity to work with exceptional public health professionals dedicated to ensuring people in Virginia are provided safe and reliable drinking water.
With four distinct seasons, Abingdon and Southwest Virginia offer access to hiking, biking, and boating. Historic Abingdon is home of Barter Theatre, the state theater of Virginia, and is a site on the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees from a consortium of public and private higher education institutions including Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Radford University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, East Tennessee State University, King University, and Emory & Henry University.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math
2. Knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water
3. Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings
4. Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities
5. Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance
6. Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents
7. Valid state driver's license
Additional Considerations
1. Experience in compliance and enforcement activities
2. Experience in the provision of drinking water
3. Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the VA DPOR
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.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter that describes how they meet the minimum qualifications 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: Jerard Jarrett
Phone: 804-517-5095
Email: Jerard.Jarrett@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.
