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Job Description
Summary
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community-based settings.
This position is part of Public Health service area, which works to keep people healthy and safe by striving to improve and protect the health of people in Deschutes County. This work includes: disease prevention, surveillance and control; food and consumer safety; assuring clean and safe drinking water; ensuring access to essential health services; providing education about healthy lifestyles; implementing strategies to reduce and prevent high-risk behaviors among youth; and responding to pandemics and emerging threats, outbreaks and other events.
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB:
This position will perform a variety of technical functions including inspection of licensed facilities and investigation of basic environmental issues and complaints regarding water resources, land use, soils, food safety, air quality, public facilities, and solid waste disposal to protect the health and safety of County residents.
Key Responsibilities:- Conducting foodservice inspections in restaurants, mobile food units, and caterers.
- Conducting Public Health Plan Reviews for new or remodeled foodservice operations.
- Conducting inspections of childcare businesses, school lunch programs, and other licensed facilities.
- Assist the public with complaints involving foodborne illness and hazards such as lead, radon, mold, and blue-green algae blooms.
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:- County, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances governing environmental health and safety programs, including Oregon Health Authority, Food, Pool, and Lodging, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality statutes, regulations, and standards.
- Methods and techniques of inspecting a variety of plans, buildings, and technical documents.
- Records management and customer service principles, protocols, and standards.
- Standard and specialized computer software applications.
Skill in:- Investigating complaints, inspecting environmental hazards, and researching technical environmental quality issues.
- Understanding and applying health and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, County standards, policies and procedures.
- Checking details, estimates, plans, and specifications of projects.
- Compiling and reviewing technical data, and developing technical reports.
- Explaining health and safety inspection regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Providing effective customer service, resolving conflicts, and dealing tactfully with clients.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.
- Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.
Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.
Review the full job description by clicking HERE.
Compensation
Environmental Health Specialist I
$5,186.61 to $6,950.54 per month for a 172.67 hour work month.
Environmental Health Specialist II
$6,004.15 to $8,046.13 per month for a 172.67 hour work month.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Public Health, or related field;
- AND one (1) year of experience in business computers and customer service;
- OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.
Preferred Qualifications :- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Necessary Special Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, when necessary, to meet the needs of the department.
This position requires registration with the OHA’s Health Licensing Office as an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) or an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee (EHST). Registration as an EHS is required within 2 years of hire.
Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily performed in a field setting which may require protective equipment to protect against potential environmental hazards or involve working in uncomfortable conditions for extended periods of time. Ability to walk in rough terrain, stoop, bend, crawl, kneel, reach, stand, lift, grasp, talk, hear, see and to work in sometimes adverse weather conditions. Must have sufficient hand manipulative skills to operate small measuring and testing devices.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.
Employer paid benefit offerings include:- Life Insurance for employee and dependents
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
- Time Management Leave
- 125 Flexible Spending Program
- 457 Deferred Compensation Program
- Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
Closing Date/Time: 10/29/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Deschutes County
Show moreDeschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. The County has 1,200 employees and a $587 million annual budget. The County assesses property, records public documents, conducts elections, collects taxes, and provides a variety of key community services, including public safety, public and behavioral health, building inspection, planning and zoning, road maintenance and construction, solid waste and the operation of a large Fair & Expo Center. Indirect services that support county operations include finance, human resources, property and facilities management, internal auditing, information technology, legal counsel, and public information.
For the past decade, Central Oregon has been recognized as one of the best places to live. Deschutes County is conveniently located within a three-hour drive to Portland, Oregon, and within one hour of the Cascade Mountain Range. With an average elevation of 3,600 feet, the area enjoys a dry, high desert climate with cool nights and sunny days. Annual precipitation averages 11.7 inches.
The countywide population is over 200,000, spread over 3,054 square miles. Deschutes County is the fastest growing county on the West Coast and one of the most diverse economies in Oregon. Tourism brings to Central Oregon over four million overnight visitors annually. The Mount Bachelor ski resort attracts tourists from across the nation. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists.
Other local features include a vibrant visual and performing arts community, an outstanding restaurant scene, an extensive and respected health care network, and a high quality educational system.
The cities of Bend, (the county seat), Redmond, La Pine, and Sisters are the four municipalities in Deschutes County. Roberts Field Redmond Municipal Airport connects Deschutes County to other major western U.S. cities. In addition to excellent public and private K-12 schools, Bend is home to Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and Oregon State University’s Cascade Campus.
To hear from staff about working at Deschutes County Behavioral Health, please click HERE.
Make the work you do matter. We hope you’ll consider joining our team.
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