Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Salary : $111,664.80 - $129,410.74 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-07-2157
Department: HHCS Health
Division: Environmental Health
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Registered Environmental Health Specialist! In this role, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations to make a positive impact for the Berkeley community. You will be responsible for conducting inspections of private and public properties, interpreting sanitary regulations, and investigating complaints for possible health regulation violations.

As a trusted member of the team, you'll work independently to plan inspections, prepare reports and presentations of your findings, and follow up with recommendations or citations. You will also collaborate with City and agency partners, and you may help provide instruction or project direction for new staff members.

Berkeley is one of just three cities in California with an independent local health jurisdiction. Part of our Health, Housing, and Community Services Department, the Environmental Health Division administers programs in Food Safety, Vector Control, Noise Control, Tobacco Licensing, Cannabis, Recreational Health, Water Quality, and Body Art.

See the full job description here:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in environmental health, sanitation or a related biological field. State certification in pesticide use and safety and vertebrate vector control is desirable.

Other requirements include:

• Registration by the State of California as an Environmental Health Specialist
• Valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received by Monday, August 17 at 5:00 PM Pacific and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but is not limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
  
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation
New employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Some High School
• High School or Equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher

02

Please indicate degree and major coursework.
03

Do you possess a certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered 'yes' to question above, please indicate the number and expiration date of your certification below. (If you answered 'no' to the questions above, please indicate "N/A" in your response.)
05

Please describe your experience with the FDA's Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards.
06

Please describe your experience within Vector Control, and specifically, Integrated Pest Management practices.
07

Please describe your experience with interpreting and enforcing environmental health regulations and guidelines. (If you do not possess this experience, please indicate "N/A" in your response.)
08

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question