Environmental Health Specialist

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range $34.80 - $42.71 Hourly Department Health Department Job Type Regular Represented Exemption Status United States of America (Non-Exempt) Closing Date January 25, 2026 The Opportunity

THIS WORK MATTERS!

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are inspired by the mission:
We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and prompt health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values:
Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities.

Environmental Health Services (EHS) programs serve to protect the public from environmental health related issues: food, water, vector borne diseases and environmental health threats and disasters. The nature of the work is complex due to the numerous environmental health concerns and regulations and the high profile of the activities conducted. The EHS unit analyzes local environmental health issues from a public health perspective, regulates specified businesses enforces state and local environmental health laws and rules.

Environmental Health Specialist plays a crucial role in protecting public health by ensuring compliance with state sanitary codes in various settings. This dynamic position offers a blend of fieldwork, community interaction, and administrative tasks.

Responsibilities include:

Inspections

• Conduct comprehensive on-site inspections of food service establishments (restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, etc.), evaluating food handling practices, temperature control, equipment sanitation, employee hygiene, and overall facility cleanliness.
• Inspect tourist accommodations including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, RV parks, and campgrounds to ensure compliance with regulations related to water quality, sanitation, waste disposal, and pest control.
• Evaluate public and private swimming pools and spa pools for proper water chemistry, filtration systems, safety equipment, and overall hygiene.
• Inspect other facilities as needed, such as schools, daycare centers, and temporary food vendors.
• Document findings thoroughly and accurately, using photographs and detailed reports to support your assessments.

Enforcement

• Issue citations and warnings for violations of state sanitary codes.
• Work with business owners and operators to develop and implement corrective action plans to address identified deficiencies.
• When necessary, initiate legal action to ensure compliance and protect public health.
• Respond to and investigate complaints from the public regarding potential health hazards.

Community Education

• Develop and deliver engaging food handler training courses, covering topics such as safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, temperature control, and preventing cross-contamination.
• Provide educational materials and resources to the public on various environmental health topics, including food safety, water quality, and disease prevention.
• Conduct outreach to businesses and community organizations to promote awareness of public health regulations and best practices.

Routine Telework At this time, this position is eligible for “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home) most of the time. As with all telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. The designation of Routine Telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is Lloyd Corporate Plaza - Environmental Health, 847 NE 19th Ave, Suite 350, Portland, OR 97232. Salary/Pay Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role.

However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range. Benefits Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings;

health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. Diversity and Inclusion At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee you will create a work…