Environmental Health Program Supervisor (Open & Promotional)

Salary : $11,989.47 - $14,984.67 Monthly
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: J007P
Department: Environmental Health Services
Division: Environmental Health Services
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 02

Description
The Environmental Health Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Program Supervisor. Program Supervisors, under direction, supervise, direct, organize, manage, evaluate, audit, and provide accountability for one or more Environmental Health programs in the consumer protection (food, water, housing, vector control, land use, pools, solid waste, infectious waste, and cross connections) or hazardous materials/hazardous waste areas.

Currently, there are two regular vacancies in the Environmental Health Services Division's Consumer Protection Food/Pool Programs and Waste Programs. These positions are located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the county to perform the duties of the job.
The position in the Consumer Protection Food/Pool Program supervises staff that inspect food sold in markets, restaurants, schools, mobile catering facilities, and special events; educate the public and businesses about proper sanitation and food handling; follow-up on complaints and reports of food-borne illness; provide information on food establishment compliance; inspect public recreational water areas such as swimming pools/spas for health and safety compliance; and verify that businesses selling tobacco products have the appropriate permits.

The position in the Waste Programs supervises staff that inspect solid waste operations such as landfills, transfer stations, Post-Closure Landfill Development projects, medical waste generators, body art facilities and practitioners, and massage establishments. This position also supervises household hazardous waste collection operations for residents and small businesses and implements the County 's Safe Medicine Disposal Ordinance.

The ideal candidate is:

• Enthusiastic for and dedicated to public service.
• Experienced in working for a regulatory agency with a working knowledge of California Retail Food Code (California Health and Safety Code Division 104, Part 7), FDA Standards, California Swimming Pool Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 22 Division 4).
• Experienced in working for a Local Enforcement Agency with working knowledge of solid waste regulatory requirements (California Code of Regulations, Title 14 and 27), the Safe Body Art Act (California Health and Safety Code Division 104, Part 15, Chapter 17), the Medical Waste Management Act (California Health and Safety Code, Division 104, Part 14), and County Code for massage establishments, safe medicine disposal and body art. Experienced in directing hazardous waste operations, ensuring compliance with State requirements and incorporating safety practices.
• At least three years of experience related to performing inspections, investigations, and research for an environmental health program in a regulatory agency.
• Experience in leading and motivating a team.
• Approachable and politically astute with a supervisory style that quickly fosters trust, loyalty, respect and commitment from employees.
• An experienced REHS with a thorough understanding of the full range of issues, practices and regulations related to consumer protection.
• An innovative leader who has collaborated with other agencies with positive outcomes that benefited public health and public education.
• Technologically savvy and knowledgeable of electronic field inspection systems and other computer-based technologies utilized by regulatory agencies.
• Highly focused and organized, capable of establishing and implementing program budgets.
• An excellent problem-solver with superior oral and written communication skills.
• A productive team member, willing and able to coordinate closely with other program supervisors to ensure a standard and efficient implementation of programs.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage, audit, and standardize activities in assigned program area.
• Within a team concept, organize and supervise the activities of professional staff.
• Participate in the hiring of assigned staff, recommending selection for management approval.
• Evaluate employee performance, counsel employees, and effectively recommend initial disciplinary actions and other personnel decisions.
• Assist in training and orientation of new personnel.
• Evaluate program needs and recommend budget changes and allocations.
• Keep current on developments in field of expertise through participation in professional organizations, attending training programs, and reviewing current legislation.
• Develop/maintain program guides for assigned program area.
• Maintain liaison with federal, state and local officials regarding standards and regulations; serve as advisor to agencies, commissions and other groups on environmental health issues and problems.
• Make presentations to city, county, and special district councils/boards, citizen groups, business owners and others on environmental health issues and programs.
• Interpret and enforce state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and codes in areas of environmental health pertaining to assigned program area.
• Evaluate workload of personnel and effectiveness of program in assigned area and prepare reports with recommendations for program modifications.
• Review proposed legislation; prepare and review administrative and technical reports and studies reports and studies.
• Confer with management on significant program issues, needs, conflicts, problems and accomplishments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• The environmental health provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, and the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health Services pertaining to environmental health standards and local ordinances.
• Public health/environmental health inspection and investigation principles, practices, and administrative procedures.
• The principles and techniques of program management.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, organize and supervise the work of others.
• Manage programs in a team environment.
• Train others in the principles and techniques of enforcement work.
• Define difficult problem areas, analyze complex data and make valid recommendations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Speak effectively and make public presentations.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence.

Experience and Education:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Four years increasingly responsible experience as an Environmental Health Specialist or Hazardous Materials Specialist, which includes two years experience in a regulatory agency.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a California certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist within two years from date of hire.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California driver license or equivalent.

Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button aboveIf you are not on the County's website, please go tohttps://jobs.smcgov.org/to apply.Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026, by 11:59 PM PSTApplication Screening: Week of November 2, 2026Civil Service Panel Interviews: Week of November 9 or 16, 2026

Talent Acquisition Contact: Debbie Kong (10012026) (Environmental Health Program Supervisor - J007)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide detailed information about your background and experience related to this position.

This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process.

Answer the questions completely, paying attention to the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language as well as neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• I have read and understand this important information. Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

This position requires a valid Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) certificate issued by the State of California within two years from date of hire. Please indicate which is applicable.

• I possess a California certificate as a REHS
• I will acquire a California certificate as a REHS within two years from date of hire

03

Describe the education and/or experience that have prepared you for this supervisory position. Include examples of relevant environmental health programs you have developed, implemented and/or managed, and identify where you gained this experience.
04

Describe your experience supervising or providing direction to inspectors and field staff. Be specific about the number of staff you supervised, their positions and responsibilities. Additionally, from your work experience, provide an example of a personnel-related challenge you successfully addressed in this role. In your response include the issue, your role, the actions you took to address it, and how the matter was resolved.
05

Tell us about a time when your leadership was particularly important in guiding technical staff through a challenge or change. What was the challenge or change, how did you build trust and support your staff, and what was the outcome?
Required Question