Environmental Specialist IV

About the role

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 7/23/2026, 8/6/2026 (final).

Responsibilities

• Arrange, direct, prioritize, review, and evaluate the unit’s processes and final products.
• Administer line personnel functions.
• Have first-line supervisory duties for a team of scientific, professional and technical staff.
• Have advanced practitioner responsibilities requiring a professional certification or registration designated by law (and described in Special Requirement).
• Have indirect supervisory responsibilities over the final outputs and products rather than direct supervision of staff or processes.
• Apply scientific expertise above the advanced journey level.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field.
• Two years of advanced-journey level professional experience in environmental regulation, analysis, environmental research, conducting a monitoring or surveillance program, and/or providing lead direction for a multi-disciplinary staff performing duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist III class in Sacramento County service.
• Four years of professional experience in environmental inspections, enforcement, regulation, analysis, and/or research performing journey level duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist (Level II) class in Sacramento County service.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Employees granted status in the class of Senior Environmental Health Specialist and possessing split off rights as granted by the Civil Service Commission and Board of Supervisors via SRA #90-85, may be appointed to Environmental Specialist IV positions, in accordance with County Personnel Policies and Procedures #C-7, without appearing on the certification list.
• Applicants interested in Environmental Health positions are required to provide documentation of the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).

Special Requirements

• Ability to stoop and kneel to conduct inspections, take water and other environmental samples, and inspect equipment.
• Climb fences, stairs, and ladders.
• Walk rough terrain and muddy fields.
• Work in an underground environment.
• Climb in and out of swimming pools under construction.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Normal hearing.
• Normal verbal communication ability.
• Visually distinguish between colors.
• Calibrate and use technical and monitoring instruments.
• Read gauges and meters.
• See in dimly lit areas.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stoop and kneel to conduct inspections, take water and other environmental samples, and inspect equipment; climb fences, stairs, and ladders; walk rough terrain and muddy fields; work in an underground environment; climb in and out of swimming pools under construction; wear protective clothing; normal hearing; normal verbal communication ability; visually distinguish between colors; calibrate and use technical and monitoring instruments; read gauges and meters; and see in dimly lit areas.

Employment Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field. And: Two years of advanced-journey level professional experience in environmental regulation, analysis, environmental research, conducting a monitoring or surveillance program, and/or providing lead direction for a multi-disciplinary staff performing duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist III class in Sacramento County service. Or: Four years of professional experience in environmental inspections, enforcement, regulation, analysis, and/or research performing journey level duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist (Level II) class in Sacramento County service.
• Note: Up to one year of the required education may be substituted by full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience similar to that described on the basis of 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month = 3 semester or 4.5 quarter units.
• Note: Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Note: Employees granted status in the class of Senior Environmental Health Specialist and possessing split off rights as granted by the Civil Service Commission and Board of Supervisors via SRA #90-85, may be appointed to Environmental Specialist IV positions, in accordance with County Personnel Policies and Procedures #C-7, without appearing on the certification list.
• Note: Applicants interested in Environmental Health positions are required to provide documentation of the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).
• Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.
• Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination.
• Note: For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements - Physical Requirements

• Ability to stoop and kneel to conduct inspections, take water and other environmental samples, and inspect equipment.
• Climb fences, stairs, and ladders.
• Walk rough terrain and muddy fields.
• Work in an underground environment.
• Climb in and out of swimming pools under construction.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Normal hearing.
• Normal verbal communication ability.
• Visually distinguish between colors.
• Calibrate and use technical and monitoring instruments.
• Read gauges and meters.
• See in dimly lit areas.

Work Schedule and Conditions

• Incumbents are subject to work in adverse weather conditions, emergency situations, and perform duties outside of normal working hours, as necessary.

Professional Certification/Registration Requirements

• Failure to maintain required certification/registration constitutes cause for suspension or termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rules.
• Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, require possession of a valid certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California.
• (Registration as a REHS is not required for appointment to Level I positions.)
• Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, require possession of a valid certification as a Registered Dairy Inspector, issued by the State of California.
• Some positions allocated to Environmental Specialist Level IV require possession of valid certification as a Registered Geologist, issued by the State of California.
• Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, may require possession of valid certifications, as deemed necessary by legislative mandate or appropriate regulatory authority in the State of California.

General License Requirements

• All classes in this series require possession of, or ability to obtain a valid California Driver’s License, Class C or higher, before the date of appointment.
• Failure to obtain and maintain a valid California Driver’s License constitutes cause for suspension or termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

Special Skills

• Some positions in the series may require the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language, in addition to English, or working knowledge of a specific culture, such as Black Culture, Mexican/Spanish Culture, or Asian Culture.