Job Description

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

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: [email protected] 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.