Environmental Health Manager

This position functions as a member of the leadership team of Public Health which is comprised of the Public Health Director, Operations Manager, and eight Division Managers. The Environmental Public Health Program Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, and directing staff and operations to effectively implement local and state mandated programs. The incumbent is responsible for enforcing the federal, state, and county environmental health laws, regulations and codes. Evaluates programs and oversees the coordination of community planning and the development of plans and systems between County, local municipalities, state and federal agencies. The incumbent provides a broad view and understanding of the field of environmental health as it relates to public health concepts and practices. In the event of an emergency, the incumbent will serve as a member of the Incident Command Team.

• Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($8,553.86/mo. - $9,163.11/mo.) dependent qualifications.
• Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 10 total steps (top step $11,376.44/mo.). The Environment Health Manager is range 31 of the General (Non-Union) salary schedule.

Directs the activities of Environmental Health Division programs, including Food and Living Environment, Water, On Site Septic Program, and Solid Waste and Toxics.

Develops, administers, and enforces Environmental Public Health programs, including solid and hazardous waste, food safety, on-site sewage systems (liquid waste), drinking water, water recreation, vector, and other environmental public health programs as they emerge.

Participates in the department’s leadership team, creating and supporting a transformational culture that supports growth and development through vision, inspiration, and enthusiasm. Serves to enhance the motivation, morale, and job performance of staff and the Public Health Department as a whole. Guides and leads through empowerment to grow and develop staff and programs to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Stimulates staff to take greater ownership in the department beyond their workgroup by aligning their work with the objectives and goals of the department and division. Leads through encouragement, support and recognition.

Manages and directs the daily operations of Environmental Health supporting a population health service model to achieve outcomes through assessment, policy development and assurance. Seeks opportunities for collective impact across systems to achieve outcomes by coordinating work with community partners.

Sets strategic priorities for division in alignment with priorities of Public Health and the Population Health Trust. Develops recommendations for programs that enhance support of department’s strategic plan and role of assurance. Implements strategic short- and long-range plans, programs, goals, and objectives for assigned areas. Reviews and updates planning recommendations.

Prioritizes environmental public health programs within mandated and local priority, budgetary restraints and staff availability. Utilizes a data driven approach to planning and decision making. Reviews and assesses data to assess performance of County funded programs and their alignment with identified outcomes and make recommendations about programs and projects.

Makes recommendations for local program, policy and procedure changes, and assures that appropriate policies and procedures are created and updated. Develops and implements quality standards for each program. Interprets and applies policies, procedures, and regulations equitably.

Facilitates and coordinates cooperative planning in conjunction with other divisions, departments, systems, providers, community groups, boards, and entities to address community needs and gaps. Identifies trends and problems hindering progress. Develops and implements recommendations for problem resolution with staff and higher-level management.

Responsible for contract development and management, fiscal compliance, data collection and management, grant application and administration, and report writing. Conducts or directs Request for Proposal (RFP) processes as needed, negotiates contracts and subcontracts. Conducts on-site monitoring of contract compliance both legally and programmatically and conducts on-going program evaluation as needed. Independently determines and establishes terms for corrective actions and enforces sanctions as necessary.

Directly supervises program coordinators and division staff. Directs, mentors and coaches assigned staff, and assigns work consistent with assigned job classification. Manages and supervises within union contract guidelines, and county personnel policies and procedures. Coaches program coordinators and staff regarding methods to be used to enhance program management to achieve designated outcomes that align with needs identified by data and community assessment.

Analyzes and problem solves staffing and programmatic issues, identifying and implementing necessary actions for change. Provides support and guidance; analyzes and evaluates issues and proposals; identifies knowledge and performance gaps, and counsels, trains and coaches staff to meet performance goals and quality standards.

Under the direction of the Public Health Director, recruits, trains, disciplines and conducts performance evaluations of program staff. Provides training and support and evaluates the performance of staff to guide the development of employees and performance. Reconciles personnel issues, makes recommendations regarding employment actions, initiates documents, and implements disciplinary actions as approved.

Assures coordination with other County departments, including Planning & Development Services, Public Works, Prosecuting Attorney and Board of Health.

Oversees and supports efforts to organize, coordinate, and facilitate efforts of citizen board members, consumer advocates, community agencies, and state agencies to suggest and implement program enhancements for services to County residents.

Develops and monitors budgets and program expenditures as needed.

Represents Skagit County Public Health in community, interagency and State meetings and partnerships.

Responds to community concerns and complaints; assures program activities are in compliance with laws, policies, regulations, and goals. Identifies and addresses customer needs. Emphasizes public accountability and a positive public service approach with assigned staff.

Provides leadership and oversight to ensure the consistent delivery of exceptional customer service in support of Environmental Health (EH) and Public Health programs and services. Establishes and maintains high service standards across all customer access points, including phone, email, permit software, and front desk operations, ensuring timely, professional, and solution-oriented assistance. Serves as a visible representative of Environmental Health and Public Health in customer and collaborative meetings, at presentations, outreach efforts, and community events, fostering positive relationships and public trust. Coordinates and supports EH and Public Health functions with a customer-centered approach that advances program goals, regulatory compliance, and meaningful community engagement.

Participates in and supports emergency preparedness and response activities, including preparedness for the division, organization and community.

Oversees administrative hearings, Health Officer hearings and appeals to the Board of Health.

Develops and recommends modification of local regulations to be consistent with state and federal rules. Submits these proposals to the Board of Health for approval.

Represents the Department at state and local meetings concerning environmental public health issues.

Assists with investigation of any outbreak of disease related to environmental exposures (infectious or otherwise) or other unusual increases in illness.

SUPERVISORY:

Directly supervises Environmental Health Division staff.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description, but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Bachelor of Science in environmental health, bacteriology, preventive medicine, biology, or other physical science.
• Five years’ experience working in public health or similar agency, including at least two years’ management experience in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the skills, knowledge, and ability necessary to perform the work).
• Must be able to pass a standard County background check and have a driving record that would not impact ability to operate County vehicles.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Public health principles, including population-based health practices, understanding, and analyzing complex scientific and interpersonal issues.
• The field of assignment sufficient to perform completely and accurately the full scope of responsibility as illustrated by example in this position description.
• Transformational Leadership and Change.
• Available resources and community groups within Skagit County, as well as regionally and statewide.
• Management and supervisory principles and practices.
• Managing staff in a union environment.
• Basic principles, theories and practices of public administration, and organizational structure and development as applied to the public sector.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures related to the area of assignment.
• Principles of time management, planning, program, and process evaluation.
• Principles of grant writing, contract writing, contract monitoring, and reporting.
• Principles of strategic planning and outcome- based logic models.
• Data analysis and comprehension.
• Safety and security hazards, precautions, standards, policies, and procedures pertinent to the area of assignment.
• English grammar, spelling, report preparation and letter writing.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

• Manage staff, delegate tasks and authority, and coach to improve staff performance.
• Demonstrate the capacity to think and problem solve in an innovative manner.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with community entities, even under stressful and demanding circumstances.
• Act as a strong advocate for efficient and effective services.
• Facilitate meetings and to work cooperatively with public groups and contract agency personnel.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Successfully reconcile workplace conflicts.

• Utilize office equipment, including computer.
• Read, understand, and interpret technical literature.
• Speak effectively in public.
• Represent Skagit County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities.
• Ensure compliance with County policies and procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Comprehend, gather, process, and analyze detailed information effectively. Particularly in order to deal with grants and funding.
• Be attentive to detail, maintain a high degree of accuracy, recognize, resolve, and correct discrepancies in data or information.
• Assure that absolute confidentiality is maintained as required and sensitive information is handled appropriately.
• Apply good judgment and problem-solving techniques to make reasoned, timely and consistent decisions and resolve problems.
• Develop ways to identify, improve and promote efficient systems and processes.
• Develop relationships with staff, other departments, and individuals that encourage participation, teamwork, effective relationships, and use of resources.
• Plan, prioritize, coordinate, organize and schedule staffing and services.
• Prepare, research, administer and change plans, policies, and work programs, as necessary.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff members, other agencies, and the general public.
• Perform varied and complex assignments under general supervision and guidance.
• Understand, interpret, and execute complex oral and written instructions.
• Travel to various businesses and agencies in the County and out of County for department needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of information, including Personnel, budgets, and other related matters.
• Work with public in courteous manner.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment.

LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS:
Registration with the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians or the National Environmental Health Association.
Valid Washington state driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is primarily an office environment with occasional site visits to solid waste handling facilities, on-site sewage systems, drinking water systems or other infrastructure regulated by Environmental Public Health.
Good finger dexterity for using test kits and other field testing equipment. Extended periods standing and bending while performing field work. Lifting up to 50 pounds is required.

HAZARDS:
Those present in a normal office environment and public interaction. Fieldwork hazards may include driving, traversing on foot through brush and difficult terrain, and road traffic.

Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1380.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.