ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER

The salary for this position is: $7,586 - $9,979 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for an Environmental Health Program Manager for the Water Quality, Onsite Septic Operations & Maintenance Solid/Hazardous Waste, and Lake Management District programs within our Environmental Health Division. 

As an Environmental Health Program Manager for these programs, you will oversee initiatives aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment through effective surface and ground water quality management, septic system operation & maintenance, and solid / hazardous waste management. This role involves developing and implementing programs to monitor surface and ground water, ensure compliance with regulations and educate the community on best practices. You collaborate with various stakeholders, analyze data to identify trends, and provide technical support, all while promoting sustainable practices to protect vital water resources.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning water quality and septic systems, solid and hazardous waste, etc., staying informed about any changes to ensure that all operations comply with health and safety standards.
• Analyze collected data to identify trends, issues, and areas for improvement.
• Assessment, formulation or update of program and departmental policies.
• Develop program workplans that are harmonized with program strategic plans that include program goals, objectives, strategies to accomplish them, and ongoing performance review.
• Mentor, coach, support and evaluate the performance of line supervisors to ensure that effective teamwork is maintained to achieve program objectives. 
• Prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders, including Thurston County departments, outside government agencies, the public, and decision makers. 
• Work with Thurston County departments, local government agencies, environmental organizations, and community groups to promote sustainable water management practices.
• Budget planning, preparation, and review.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans for water quality incidents, such as sewage spills, onsite sewage system failures, and other contamination events or system failures.
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations.

To view the full job classification, click here: Class Specifications | Environmental Health Program Manager | Class Spec Details

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment - Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):  Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Bacteriology, Zoology Engineering, or a related natural or physical science. 
• Five (5) years of experience in professional environmental work including experience in budget preparation and program planning and implementation.  A minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience of environmental professional staff is also required.
• Must be recognized by the Washington State Sanitarian Registration Board as a Registered Sanitarian within eighteen (18) months of the date of hire.

DESIRED SKILLS: 

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Expertise in water quality standards, study design, data analysis and understanding of natural and anthropogenic impacts on water resources.
• Knowledge of state and local on-site sewage system and solid/hazardous waste regulations, standards, and technology
• Knowledge of permit and data systems
• A broad knowledge of environmental public health programs
• Expertise in education, outreach, and social marketing/communication
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies and regulations pertaining to ground and surface water resources
• Ability to create innovative programs and projects in response to community needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or service.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with elected officials, staff, and the community.
• Ability to quickly assess problems and act to positively resolve conflicts and coordinate efforts to the satisfaction of consultants, contractors, and the public.
• Experience with public speaking about environmental health issues.

Respect and Organizational Culture

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

• Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Leadership:

• Supervise, motivate, and develop employees and team to become more productive and effective in achieving desired goals and career growth while encouraging employee critical reflection; able to give direction without conflict
• Show fairness and impartiality in interactions; is interested in employee welfare, elicits staff input where feasible; respond to staff suggestions and complaints in a sincere, sensitive, and timely manner

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the PHSS hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569

This position is:

• Not represented by a union
• Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits
• Grant funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Proof of licenses/certifications
• Please Note: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.