Assistant Division Director of Environmental Health

About the role

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. As a local Department of Health, FCHD promotes population health, protects public health and the environment, and ensures that Fairfax residents have access to health services and information. This position provides programmatic development, implementation, planning, and evaluation for the Environmental Health Division to assure successful achievement of the Division’s objectives and to support the agency strategic plan. A focus on health equity and population health is at the core of the Environmental Division.

Under general direction of the Division Director of Environmental Health (EH), the Assistant Director participates in policy development for agency-wide environmental health efforts which focus on building a stronger, more integrated local public health system responsive to community needs. Leads in developing, monitoring, and updating the division's goals and priorities in alignment with agency-wide and countywide strategic plans. Assists in the development and management of the division's finance expenditures, budget, and contractual services; oversees grant processes and memorandum of agreements for EH programs and services.

Responsibilities

• Oversees development, implementation, and planning for division operations ensuring that County, State, and Federal requirements are met.
• Provides direction, guidance, and direct supervision to direct reports and overall leadership to the division; leads change management and project management initiatives.
• Participates as a member of the Environmental Health management team to assist in planning and coordinating department environmental health service programs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of standards, policies, and procedures for the Division of Environmental Health.
• Assures that staff are in compliance with appropriate licensure and practice requirements.
• Directs training and orientation of supervisory, professional, and paraprofessional personnel.
• Assists the Division Director in establishing goals, objectives, and priorities for the division; develops and evaluates performance measurements and benchmarks.
• Monitors progress and analyzes the effectiveness of Environmental Health programs in meeting the division and agency objectives and as they relate to community needs.
• Provides leadership to assure the development, data collection, reporting, and analysis of performance measures for the division.
• Conducts surveys and studies for special projects relating to Environmental Health needs and program proposals in Fairfax County.
• Assists in developing and managing division finance expenditures, justifies budget and contractual services; oversees grant processes and memorandum of agreement for Environmental Health programs and services.
• Coordinates, collaborates, and communicates with local, regional, state, and federal governmental partners and community organizations on planning initiatives and programmatic issues, as appropriate.
• Communicates with the public and the media on programmatic and community issues under the direction of the Division Director.
• Assists in the review and preparation of legislative proposals; prepares board items and makes presentations to Board of Supervisors, business and community organizations, and other county departments, as appropriate.
• Participates in proposing, developing, and/or preparation of ordinances relating to environmental health; reviews and/or proposes legislation and/or code amendments as needed.
• Advises staff on difficult or unusual problems; responds to inquiries or requests for information for Environmental Health services.
• Makes inspections and recommendations in emergency situations; makes recommendations to division director in controversial high-risk situations.
• In the absence of the Division Director, serves as the division’s point-of-contact in contacts with the state, county, community, and other human service organizations, as appropriate.
• Answers complaints and advises on sanitary hazards.
• Oversees the division’s data collection and reporting; conducts statistical analysis and performs quality assurance work as it relates to regulated facilities, permits, and revenue collection.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on environmental health practices, code, and ordinance regulations.
• Models leadership behavior, fosters ethical practices, and professional code of conduct; provides leadership guidance to program supervisors and ensures sound management of division operations and programs.
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing workforce development.

Requirements

• 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 coursework in the physical or biological sciences.
• Six years of experience in the Environmental Health field, at or above a level equivalent to Environmental Health Specialist II, including at least three years of experience supervising environmental health investigative work.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (required within 60 days of appointment).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (required within 60 days of appointment).
• Possession of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential from the National Environmental Health Association (required within twelve (12) months of appointment).

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health or a Bachelor’s degree with at least thirty (30) semester hours of coursework in the physical or biological sciences.
• Seven or more years of extensive experience and knowledge working in a regulatory environment interpreting and/or enforcing codes or regulations.
• Seven or more years of experience supervising staff with a demonstrated ability to manage operational components of EH programs that require field-based staff.
• Seven or more years of experience in the field of environmental health and inspection programs and services.
• Senior-level managerial or senior-level administrative experience overseeing environmental health-related programs in a public agency.
• Experience with and working knowledge of data collection, statistical analysis, and quality assurance.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and expert-level written and oral communications with demonstrated ability to develop written products for a diverse range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to manage multiple priorities, time-sensitive projects, and deliverables with excellent attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across all staffing levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Experience and proficiency in informatics and computer skills.
• Possession of any of the following certifications or completed trainings: Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian issued by the National Environmental Health Association, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Pesticide Applicator Certificate, Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certificate, Certified Food Manager (CFM) ANSI Certificate, Virginia Fire Marshal Academy Civilian Entry Examination, Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator License (Virginia), or Professional Engineer License (Virginia).

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of Environmental Health, public health, and community health planning.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of Environmental Health, communicable diseases, and epidemiology.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and County Environmental Health laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of current literature and new developments in Environmental Health and administration.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of administration, management, supervision, and consultation.
• Knowledge of demography, statistics, and research methodology.
• Knowledge of available community resources for referral.
• Knowledge of the legislative and political process.
• Ability to identify Environmental Health needs in the community.
• Ability to function effectively as an interdisciplinary management team leader or member.
• Ability to plan and evaluate a comprehensive Environmental Health program.
• Ability to develop, analyze, and review methods and systems for Environmental Health services delivery.
• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions.
• Ability to develop and effectively coordinate and implement division strategic goals and strategies.
• Ability to write comprehensive reports.
• Ability to provide effective leadership; develop others through coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to effectively manage, train, and motivate employees.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, coworkers, associates, elected or appointed officials, public and private sector organizations, and the community.

Schedule

May work evening hours and on weekends during emergencies and program events and activities; days and hours may change during emergencies.

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 50 lbs. 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.
• Frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing.
• Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment and computer.