Environmental Health Specialist 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 (Columbus)

Salary : See Position Description

Location : Columbus, GA

Job Type : Full Time Salaried

Job Number : 2023-06381

Division / Section : District 7 County Position

Opening Date : 10 / 24 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Description

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Who we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can :

• Make a Professional Impact - Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility - Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team - Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity - Countless opportunities for continuous learning / development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture - Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work - Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As an Environmental Health Specialist within the Columbus Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

Job Responsibilities

This position will be based in Columbus, GA and will support the Department by utilizing your expertise to fulfill the following responsibilities :

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Environmental Health Specialist 1 - (Hire-in salary - $42,819.47)

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included the completion of 27 semester hours (OR 40 quarter hours) in laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.)

Environmental Health Specialist 2 - (Hire-in salary - $47,101.41)

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included the completion of 27 semester hours (OR 40 quarter hours) in laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.) AND One year of experience at the lower-level PH Environmental Health Specialist 1 (RCP120) OR position equivalent.

Environmental Health Specialist 3 - (Hire-in salary - $51,811.56) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included the completion of 27 semester hours (OR 40 quarter hours) in laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.) AND One year of experience at the lower-level PH Environmental Health Specialist 2 (RCP121) OR position equivalent AND completion of the Georgia Environmental Health Training class.

Environmental Health Specialist 4 - (Hire-in salary - $58,547.06)

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included the completion of 27 semester hours (or 40 quarter hours) in laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.) AND One year of experience at the lower-level PH Environmental Compliance Specialist 3 (RCP122) or position equivalent AND completion of the Georgia Environmental Health Training class.

Environmental Health Specialist 5 - (Hire-in salary - $66,158.17)

Master's degree in Environmental Health, Public Health or related field from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university which included the completion of 27 semester hours (or 40 quarter hours) in laboratory science (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.). AND current registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist or Sanitarian by the National Environmental Health Association or an equivalent recognized credentialing board AND One year of experience as a PH Environmental Compliance Specialist 4 (RCP123) or position equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS : Successful Completion of the DPH (Department of Public Health) new hire training courses titled : General EH (EPI, Emergency Preparedness, Lead, Chemical Hazards, Vector Control, IAQ); TA / Pools / Spas and Recreational Waters; Land Use; Food Service; Introduction to Soils; Level 2 Soils Training; Blood Borne Pathogens certifications course; First Aid / CPR; Current and valid certification as an Inspector Level 1 and / or additional Inspector certifications obtained : Drip Emitter, Mound / Area Fill, Commercial, Pump-ST, Pump-PS; Current Georgia Standardized Food Service Establishment Inspection Officer; Certified Safety Manager through one of the following 360training.com, Inc., National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, National Restaurant Association, or Prometric , Inc; Nationally recognized swimming pool operator course through one of the following : CPO, LAFT, CPT, or AFP; Current registration as a registered environmental health specialist or registered sanitarian by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), or recognized credentialing board of a state or country having equivalent standards of NEHA; Public Health Experience. Proof of completion is required along with a copy of college transcripts.

Additional Information

All West Central Health District 7 employees are deemed essential workers in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event including but not limited to : staffing a shelter, working at a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and / or working at a Point of Dispensing site (POD). If you are called on to participate, you are required to report to the designated site as a condition of employment, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

Benefits for Full-Time Eligible Employees :

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and / or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to : DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance.

Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees

Part-time employees receive the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and paid parental leave.

01

The answers you provide to the supplemental questions will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Your responses pertaining to specific work experience and education must be clearly shown in the areas for work history and education on your application. Your application must be completed in full before it is submitted. We do not accept additional information after your application has been received by the Personnel Department. Do you accept these conditions?

02

Serving our community during an Emergency Event is a condition of employment for Public Health workers. In the event of an emergency, you may be required to work extended hours, to include nights and weekends. Do you accept these conditions?

03

Have you previously worked for the State of Georgia and / or Georgia Department of Public Health? If yes, please list agency and the county of employment.

04

Are you a current employee of the Georgia Department of Public Health?

05

What is your highest level of education completed?

06

Are you currently Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or Recognized Credentialing of a state or county board having equivalent standards as NEHA?

07

Do you have experience in plan review, permitting and inspections in all Environmental Health Programs?

08

Do you have at least a minimum of 27 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, geology, physics, etc.) from an accredited college or university?

09

How many years of experience do you have in conducting Environmental Health activities (e.g., inspecting restaurants, swimming pools, tourist accommodations, etc.)?

10

Do you have any relatives working for West Central Health District's 16-County Health Departments? (Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor or Webster counties)

11

If yes to question above, please list name, relationship, and the county of employment.

Required Question