Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialist

Salary

$61,805.39 - $113,140.43 Annually

Location

Public Health -- AC Service Center, 7190 Colorado Blvd., Commerce City, CO

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

07610

Department

Public Health Department

Division

Environmental Health

Opening Date

08/20/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 4:30 PM Mountain

Our Mission

To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.

EEO

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Position classification

Onsite -- Job duties and expectations require employee to be regularly scheduled onsite.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Environmental Health Specialist I (EHS I):

The Environmental Health Specialist I is an entry-level position. Training is provided for inspections of various facilities, handling complaints, and other functions, as required. The Environmental Health Specialist I performs basic to intermediate inspections and investigations as required by laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Colorado and Adams County Health Department. This role documents violations and recommends the initiation of enforcement action to supervisor.

Environmental Health Specialist II (EHS II):

The Environmental Health Specialist II is a mid-level position that performs basic to intermediate level inspections and investigations as required by laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Colorado and Adams County Health Department. This role documents violations and recommends the initiation of enforcement action to supervisor. In addition to the responsibilities noted above, this position requires the Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) to participate on an EH special team such as the Food Team or Vector Team.

Environmental Health Specialist III (EHS III):

The Environmental Health Specialist III is a mid-level position that performs basic to intermediate level inspections and investigations as required by laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Colorado and Adams County Health Department. This role documents violations and recommends the initiation of enforcement action to supervisor. In addition to the responsibilities noted above, this position requires the Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) to participate on an EH special team such as the Food Team or Vector Team.

Environmental Health Specialist IV (EHS IV):

The Environmental Health Specialist IV is a senior-level position and demonstrates mastery in performing inspections and investigations pursuant to all environmental health programs. This role maintains responsibility for the implementation of all programs in an assigned geographical area. This senior-level position works independently or may assume limited supervision and extensive training responsibilities in the administration of environmental health programs. Incumbents must be Registered Environmental Health Specialists with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), possess detailed knowledge in the general EH programs, and provide training and mentoring to lower-level staff. In addition to the requirements noted above for the EHS III position, they must work with their respective supervisor on the development and execution of special projects as necessary.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $61,805.39 - $89,732.06 annually.

The hiring team has selected to consider a range of experience. Hiring and salary determination will be based on experience and qualifications. The full earning potential for each level is below:

• EHS I: $61,805.39 - $89,617.82
• EHS II: $69,444.54 - $100,694.58
• EHS III: $73,611.21 - $106,736.26
• EHS IV: $78,027.88 - $113,140.43

Examples of Duties for Success

Environmental Health Specialist I & II:

• Investigates environmental health conditions. Initiates issuance of orders and instructions to maintain compliance with environmental health requirements of laws, rules, and regulations.
• Performs a variety of field tests to determine proper and safe operation of equipment and facilities.
• Attends scheduled inspections of industrial, commercial, public, or private facilities to assure continued compliance with environmental standards. Notifies owners or operators of unsafe, inadequate or non-complying conditions; maintains records of contacts made and conditions encountered.
• Uses excellent verbal communication skills to explain findings of investigations, field tests and laboratory analysis to owners and managers of establishments and occupants of premises subject to environmental health requirements.
• Employs listening skills to hear others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives.
• Proficiently and accurately inputs data into computer systems associated with environmental health programs.
• Reviews and recommends approval of plans and specification for routine situations. Issues permits as appropriate.
• Effectively uses analytic skills to define problems and applies ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences. Develops and adapts approaches to problems that takes cultural differences into account.
• Attends formal training programs devoted to public health topics as directed and approved.
• Actively participates in community outreach activities to promote understand and support of environmental health programs.

Environmental Health Specialist II:

In addition to the duties above, the Environmental Health Specialist II is responsible for the following:

• Must participate on an EH special team such as the Food Team or Vector Team.

Environmental Health Specialist III:

In addition to the duties above, the Environmental Health Specialist III is responsible for the following:

• Participates as part of an environmental health special team.
• Assigned as the lead of a program, or manage a grant, or responsible for a special project that is equivalent to the work of leading a program.
• May conduct any of the following: plan reviews, enforcement, retail food establishment inspections, mobile food inspections, child care and school inspections, pool and spa inspections, Onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) inspections, complaint investigations associated with retail food, child care and schools, water or OWTS or a combination of the following; and/or other duties as necessary.

Environmental Health Specialist IV:

In addition to the duties above, the Environmental Health Specialist III is responsible for the following:

• Extensive knowledge of Environmental Health (EH) principles, practices, and objectives.
• Knowledge of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) equipment standards related to NSF commercial equipment acceptance and installation.
• Extensive knowledge of all EH programs administered by Adams County Health Department (ACHD).
• Thorough scope and application of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Act as a lead worker to and provide expert advice and training to all other specialists.
• May conduct any of the following: plan reviews, enforcement, retail food establishment inspections, mobile food inspections, child care and school inspections, pool and spa inspections, Onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) inspections, complaint investigations associated with retail food, child care and schools, water or OWTS or a combination of the following; and/or other duties as necessary.

All Levels:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Duties - Environmental Health Specialist I - IV:

• Responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents and events. Participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response, as required. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee.

Qualifications for Success

All Levels:

• Ability to apply the principles, techniques, and practices consistently and appropriately as related to environmental health in a community public health program
• Ability to keep records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate with the general public in establishing and maintaining reasonable standards of environmental health in the interest of public health. Negotiate and resolve conflict with members of the general public.
• Demonstrate ability to exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgement.
• Outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communications; ability to adapt a style to fit audiences of varying technical levels, and at various levels within an organization, in groups and individual settings.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

• Environmental Health Specialist I: No previous experience is required and training is provided for inspections of various facilities, handling complaints, and other functions as required.

• Environmental Health Specialist II:

• Two years of experience required.

• Working experience performing relevant duties at another public health agency may be considered

• Environmental Health Specialist III:

• Four years of experience is required

• Working experience performing relevant duties at another public health agency may be considered

• Environmental Health Specialist IV:

• Six years of experience is required

• Working experience performing relevant duties at another public health agency may be considered

Education & Training:

• Environmental Health Specialist I:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, with thirty semester hours of academic work in the physical, biological, chemical, or sanitary sciences is required.

• Environmental Health Specialist II:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, with thirty semester hours of academic work in the physical, biological, chemical, or sanitary sciences is required.

• A masters degree is preferred and may substitute for one year of practical Environmental Health experience, as approved by the EH Manager and EH Director.

• Environmental Health Specialist III:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, with thirty semester hours of academic work in the physical, biological, chemical, or sanitary sciences is required.

• A masters degree is preferred and may substitute for one year of practical Environmental Health experience, as approved by the EH Manager and EH Director.

• Environmental Health Specialist IV:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, with thirty semester hours of academic work in the physical, biological, chemical, or sanitary sciences is required.

• A masters degree is preferred and may substitute for one year of practical Environmental Health experience, as approved by the EH Manager and EH Director.

License or Certificate:

• All Levels: A valid Colorado Drivers License is required or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Environmental Health Specialist III & IV: Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) credential through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

Background Check - All Levels: Must pass a criminal background check.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements - All Levels:

• Work is primarily conducted indoors with occasional time spent in an outside environment.
• Incumbent will experience routine exposure to hazards of a typical office environment and occasional exposures to disease, toxic compounds, pesticides, gases, and fumes.
• Requires work in industrial and construction areas, occasionally experiences exposures to machinery, working at heights and underground, and excessive noise.
• May be required to work outside regular hours to attend meetings or events.
• Requires ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions and ability to walk and navigate on all types of terrain.
• Requires ability to negotiate restricted pedestrian pathways. (e.g., assembly line, building maintenance areas, and construction sites) obstructed by equipment. necessary to the particular operation.
• Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to large groups of people in an educational presentation.
• Requires ability to lift and carry sampling equipment occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate computer equipment and test equipment.
• Requires color vision to distinguish titration/chemical reaction to color changes.
• Requires correctable vision to observe sampling activities and conduct investigations of health situations.
• Requires reliable transportation and access to drive an automobile in all types of weather conditions.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office complies with Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act ("JAFA"). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant's age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.

02

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental health, with thirty semester hours of academic work in the physical, biological, chemical, or sanitary sciences is required for this role. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03

A valid Colorado Drivers License or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire is required. Do you or can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires reliable transportation and access to drive an automobile to conduct inspections of retail food establishments, and reimburses mileage at the current IRS rate; do you have reliable access to transportation that you are willing to utilize for county business?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you worked as an Environmental Health Specialist at any other Health Department in the past? If yes, please briefly explain your work history in public health.

06

Please attach your official or unofficial college transcripts for consideration. Have you attached your transcripts?

• Yes
• No

07

Please include a resume for consideration. Have you submitted your resume?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Adams County

Address 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite C4000B

Brighton, Colorado, 80601-8213

Website http://www.adamscountyco.gov/careers