Environmental Health Specialist II

Salary : $66,784.22 - $116,872.50 Annually
Location : HEALTH DEPARTMENT KELLY SQUARE, 10777 MAIN ST, FAIRFAX (FJ56), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01644
Department: Health Department
Opening Date: 10/24/2026
Closing Date: 11/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public

This position works within the Division of Environmental Health and provides administrative assistance and an advanced level of expertise and technical training. Under limited supervision of an Environmental Health Supervisor or Environmental Health Specialist III, conducts inspections, complaint investigations, and surveys to determine compliance with state and local codes and regulations related to campgrounds, food facilities, hotels and motels, massage establishments, on site wastewater treatment systems, religiously exempt childcare facilities, special events, summer camps, swimming pools, tattoo shops, and water wells. Conducts surveillance of disease carrying insects and ticks. Participates in environmental program education and related community outreach activities. Documents inspections and investigation findings; records coded entries in designated database. Attends training courses, educational conferences, and seminars to enhance job proficiency. Attends regular staff meetings as scheduled. Performs other duties as assigned.

Note: Health Department positions are designated as emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. As a public health emergency responder, this position may be reassigned to provide support based on the emergency response service needs. The temporary reassignment may require employees to function in a role outside of the typical job duties. The emergency response may also require employees to work alternative work schedules to include weekend and evenings.

• Click to watch a video on Working for Fairfax County Government.
• Click to watch a video on benefits offered by Fairfax County Government.

Illustrative Duties

• Gathers and records information on complaints, inspections, emergency calls and requests for investigation/evaluations;
• Extracts, inspects, tests and analyzes samples;
• Designs and conducts surveys and studies in assigned specialty area;
• Initiates and follows up on correction of unsanitary/hazardous conditions;
• Enforces County, State and Federal laws, codes and regulations when violations are observed;
• Performs technical analyses and assists in the evaluation of plans and specifications for air pollution control devices, housing construction, property development;
• Issues permits for construction of on-site sewage disposal systems, private water supplies, and operation of public establishments;
• Prepares drafts of official correspondence;
• Provides information and assistance to the public (including property owners, business operators, developers/real estate agents, engineering professionals), other County agencies, and other jurisdictions;
• Prepares summons requests, subpoenas, and case histories;
• Testifies at court hearings.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental health or a bachelor's degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences; plus, one year of experience in environmental health investigations.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver's license.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR certification (Required within 60 days).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (Required within 60 days).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: On call 24-hrs/day for rabies emergency on-call and emergencies.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three or more years of experience and knowledge working in a regulatory environment interpreting and/or enforcing codes or regulations.
• Three or more years of experience in the field of environmental health and inspection programs.
• Experience and working knowledge of personal computers including laptops, word processing and database management programs.
• Experience conducting field compliance inspections and/or complaint investigations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; and the ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision making.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Possession of one or more of the following: Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator License, Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator License, Alternative Onsite System Operator License, Certified Pool Operator Certification, or Commercial Pesticide Certified Applicator License.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb or crawl, stretch, reach overhead, exerting up to 10 lbs. of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; lift or carry up to 25 lbs., unaided; or up to 50lbs. with or without assistance, occasionally. Constant movements (motions) of the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers to grasp, handle or feel. Ability to move safely through narrow passages or traverse over uneven terrain; wear personal protective equipment, as required. Visual acuity is required to read data from paper and on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer; and use of touchscreen electronics. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Ability to drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver's license; travel to various locations throughout the county. Generally, works in an office environment but primarily required to perform job duties outside of a typical office setting to conduct inspections or investigations (e.g. restaurants, pools, other facilities etc.), including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and night-time hours. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Environmental health
• Biology
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

Have you taken at least 30 semester hours of course work in the physical or biological sciences?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in environmental health investigations?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

08

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in environmental health inspection programs?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

09

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in a regulatory environment interpreting and/or enforcing codes or regulations?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

Do you possess one or more of the following licenses below? Check all that apply.

• Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator License
• Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator License
• Alternative Onsite System Operator License
• Certified Pool Operator Certification
• Commercial Pesticide Certified Applicator License
• None of the above

11

Do you have experience conducting field compliance inspections and/or complaint investigations?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have working knowledge and experience with personal computers including laptops, word processing and database management programs?

• Yes
• No

13

Will you be available to respond for duty in the event a public health emergency is declared?

• Yes
• No

Required Question