Supervising Environmental Health Specialist
Salary
$87,256.00 - $106,454.40 Annually
Location
Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type
Full-time permanent
Job Number
2025-135
Department
Health - Administration
Division
Environmental Health
Opening Date
05/12/2026
Closing Date
5/27/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The County of Kings is seeking qualified applicants for Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, who want to bring their expertise to a leadership role that directly protects public health and shapes the future of environmental safety in Kings County. As a Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, you will lead a team of dedicated professionals while taking on some of the Countys most complex and impactful environmental health challenges. This role offers the opportunity to guide critical programs, from food safety and hazardous materials to land use, water quality, and emergency response, while serving as a trusted technical expert for both internal teams and the community. If you are a seasoned Environmental Health Specialist who thrives on mentorship, problem-solving, and ensuring the well-being of the public through high-quality environmental oversight, this is a meaningful next step in your career.
MANAGEMENT LEVEL II BENEFITS
This position includes Management Group II benefits, which features CalPERS retirement (plan and tier placement determined at benefits selection) and full paid PPO health premiums, dental, vision, and chiropractic insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Employees are also eligible for Deferred Compensation Plan, with the County contributing one dollar for every three dollars contributed by the employee, up to $3,500 per year. Vacation accrual ranges from 12 to 20 days per year, based on years of service, and the County Executive Officer may authorize an adjusted accrual rate for employees hired from other public agencies to reflect prior service. In addition, this position includes 80 hours of management leave (pro-rated upon hire date), which may be cashed out at the employees option. Employees receive 11.5 scheduled paid holidays per year, plus an additional 3.5 days when the County participates in holiday closures, and 10 to 12 days of accrued sick leave per year with unlimited accrual. Other benefits include $40,000 term life insurance and access to the onsite Health Center Monday through Friday for employees and eligible dependents, without the need to use sick or other leave for personal appointments. Longevity pay is available after 10 and 20 years of service.
For more information about the Public Health Department, click here.
To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click here.
DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
Experience:
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:
Certifications:
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, holidays and weekends, work on-call and overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside the County. Ability to become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus.
SELECTION PROCESS: EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
VETERANS PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Veterans Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Last Day to Apply: May 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
First Interview: Week of June 8, 2026
Second Interview: Week of June 15, 2026
Please click here to view the current Salary Resolution.
Management Group I = Appointed and elected officials in salary bands.
Management Group II = Middle management (all other management not in Group I or III).
Confidential Management Group III = All Executive Secretary positions, Deputy Clerk to B.O.S. I/II, Human Resources Assistant I/II, Human Resources Technician I/II, Payroll Technician I/II, Risk Technician I/II, Secretary, Secretary to the County Counsel, Secretary to the District Attorney, Secretary to the Sheriff.
VACATION
Service HoursHours (days) Earned (based on hours)Rate (based on hours)0 - 10,40096 (12 days).04615410,401 - 20,800120 (15 days).05769320,801 - 31,200140 (17.5 days).06730831,201 +160 (20 days).076924
Hours (days) Earned (based on hours)Maximum Vacation Accumulation Limits96 (12 days)192 hours120 (15 days)240 hours140 (17.5 days)280 hours160 (20 days)320 hours
Once the appropriate accumulation limit has been reached, the employee shall cease to earn additional vacation until the employees accumulated vacation balance falls below the limits listed above.
a) All management attorneys in the District Attorneys Office, Child Support, Administration-Minors Advocate, and County Counsel will be granted 80 hours additional management leave in the first full pay period of each fiscal year (or prorated upon hire date). Which will not carry over and may be cashed out in full. Effective July 1, 2025, the amount of management vacation time will increase from 80 to 100 hours each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date).
b) Management employees in Group III will be granted 40 hours of vacation time in the first full pay period of each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date). All other terms described above apply. Effective July 1, 2025, the amount of management vacation time will increase from 40 to 50 hours each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date).
All management employees may, at their option, sell back an additional 8 hours of regular vacation each fiscal year, (see note) at their hourly rate of pay, to be contributed directly to the employees deferred compensation account.
Upon the recommendation of the Human Resources Director, the County Administrative Officer may authorize a vacation accrual rate for management positions hired from outside the county at an amount equivalent to what their accrual would be if their service time with other public agencies was earned in Kings County. Additionally, when this advanced accrual rate is authorized at the time of hire, the prior public service time will be used for calculating future adjustments to the accrual rate as if the time was earned with Kings County.
NOTE: (1) For purposes of payroll processing of vacation hour sell backs described above, the end of the fiscal year is defined as the last day of pay period 13 in any year. (2) Management leave is not available for use during pay period 14. (3) Provisions regarding vacation do not apply to elected officials.
NOTE: Provisions regarding vacation and management leave do not apply to elected officials.
HEALTH/DENTAL/OPTICAL PLAN PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION
Employees who elect to use a Health Plan offered by the County must continue to participate in the Dental and Optical plans and must remain in that plan until the open enrollment period of the plan. Employees electing to pretax their insurance will not be allowed to drop insurance coverage except at open enrollment unless the employee has a qualifying status change.
Effective May 27, 2024 (pay period 12-2024), the County contribution (per month based on 24 pay periods) to the health/dental/optical insurance premium will be as follows:
PPO Plan Health/Dental/Vision
Plan LevelCounty ShareSingle$746.55Two-Party$1,359.24Family$2,045.22
The County shall pay 100% of the health insurance premium (including the medical, dental and vision plans) for the health plan offered by the County for each management employee and their eligible family members, based on their enrollment in such health plan. Employees promoting into or demoting out of management classifications after open enrollment will be treated as a "status" change and may enter or leave the plan, or modify the number of dependents covered.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Effective January 1, 2014, for every three dollars contributed to the County contracted deferred compensation programs by management employees, the County shall contribute one dollar to the employees account, up to a maximum of twenty five hundred dollars $2,500 per calendar year. Effective January 1, 2025, the County maximum contribution will increase from $2,500 to $3,500 per calendar year.
RETIREMENT/PERS SERVICE CREDIT
The County contracts with the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) for this benefit and pays the employee contribution for members of the Board of Supervisors only. All management employees pay the total Miscellaneous or Safety PERS employee contribution depending on their classification and status within PERS (Classic or new member see below).
Miscellaneous Non-Safety Management
Safety Management
Elected Officials
Pursuant to State Law local elected officials have the option of declining participation in the Public Employees Retirement System. An amount equal to the Employees share of retirement may, if an elected officer declines participation in PERS, be applied toward the County Sponsored deferred compensation plan in lieu of the PERS contribution. The County match amount for this benefit shall not exceed the match provided to management employees described above.
TERM LIFE/ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Term life/accident insurance (with an option for portability when leaving County service in good standing) is provided for management employees as follows:
Management Group I: $50,000
Management Group II/III: $40,000
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance is provided to all management employees.
SICK LEAVE ACCRUAL
a. All regular full-time and regular part-time management employees hired prior to January 1, 1999, shall be entitled to point zero-four-six-one-five-four (.046154) hours of sick leave with pay for each hour of the actual hours of regular employment.
b. All regular full-time and regular part-time management employees hired January 1, 1999 or thereafter will accrue sick leave as follows:
Service hoursHours EarnedSick leave earned at the rate of (based on hours worked)0 - 10,40080 (10 days).03846210,401 - 20,80088 (11 days).04230820,801 +96 (12 days).046154
Note: Provisions regarding sick leave do not apply to elected officials.
UNUSED SICK LEAVE PAYOFF/POST RETIREMENT HEALTH INSURANCE
This Article does not apply to employees who elect the PERS service credit.
a) Management employees hired January 1, 1999 or later, who have five (5) years of Kings County continuous service immediately prior to retirement, are age 50 or older, and retire in good standing at the time of their separation from Kings County employment will receive a percentage of the dollar value of accrued sick leave (at time of retirement) put into an account to be used toward Kings County health insurance premiums, at a rate not to exceed the family option per month until the employee, and/or spouse if covered, is eligible for Medicare or the money runs out, whichever occurs first. When an employee and/or spouse, if covered, reach Medicare eligibility the remaining money may be used for Medicare supplemental premiums until the money runs out. The retiree health benefit percentage shall be as follows:
Service HoursPercent of compensation (based on hours)
Retiree Health Benefit10,401 - 41,60040%41,601 and over50%
To qualify for the retiree health benefit the employee and any eligible dependents to be covered must be enrolled in the Countys existing health benefit plan at the time of the employees retirement from County service. Retiree health benefit payments may be used toward coverage for the employees dependents only as long as the dependent(s) is eligible for coverage under the plan, has not reached Medicare eligibility and, in the case of children, only to the age permitted under the plan contract as dependent children. If the employee dies after retirement (or while still employed in good standing) prior to Medicare eligibility and there is money remaining in the account, the employees covered dependent(s) may continue to use the account toward Kings County health insurance premiums or Medicare supplemental insurance premiums, if eligible as stated above. Any unused balance in account remains the property of the County.
b) Management employees hired prior to January 1, 1999 shall be allowed a one time irrevocable election to decide whether to receive the post retirement health insurance benefit or cash as follows:
Service HoursPercent of Compensation (based on hours)
CashORPercent of compensation (based on hours)
Retiree Health Benefit10,401 - 41,60025%40%41,601 and over30%50%
Taxes will be paid by the employee on the full cash distribution, or the portion of the deposit into the account that could have been taken in cash. Additionally, the cash benefit is taxable in the year the cash is received. Any unused balance in the account remains the property of the County.
To qualify for the retiree health benefit (non-cash) benefit the employees must have five (5) years of Kings County continuous service immediately prior to retirement, are age 50 or older, and retire in good standing at the time of separation from Kings County employment. A percentage of the dollar value of accrued sick leave (at time of retirement) will be put into an account to be used toward Kings County health insurance premiums. The employee and any eligible dependents to be covered must be enrolled in the Countys existing health benefit plan at the time of the employees retirement in good standing from County service. Employees electing to utilize the retiree health benefit option must submit their election in writing to the Department of Finance not later than 14 days after the effective date of retirement. If the employee elects the retiree health benefit option, the County will pay up to the family option per month toward the employees health insurance premium until the employee, and/or spouse if covered, is eligible for Medicare or the money runs out, whichever occurs first. Retiree health benefit payments may be used toward coverage for the employees dependents only as long as the dependent(s) is eligible for coverage under the plan; has not reached Medicare eligibility and, in the case of children, only to the age permitted under the plan contract as dependent children. When an employee and/or spouse, if covered, reach Medicare eligibility the remaining money may be used for Medicare supplemental premiums until the money runs out. If the retiree dies prior to Medicare eligibility and there is money remaining in the account, the employees dependent(s) may continue to use the account, if eligible as stated above. In the event of death of an eligible employee (while still employed in good standing), the qualifying eligible dependent(s) shall make a determination of either cash or the retiree health benefit option within 30 days of the death of the employee.
Employees who fail to elect the retiree health benefit will be cashed out, if eligible. If the employee elects the cash option, the employee will receive the benefit if the employee separates in good standing as a result of resignation, layoff, retirement or death.
ELECTED OFFICIALS - POST RETIREMENT HEALTH INSURANCE
Kings County elected Officials may be eligible for a Post Retirement Health Benefit upon retiring from the County. All the criteria shall apply as for management post retirement health insurance generally except that: An elected official is eligible for the post retirement health insurance benefit described below if that elected official: 1) serves at least five (5) consecutive years in office without break in service between the five years served and the date of departure from elected office; and 2) either simultaneously retires from PERS at the end of such service (or is at that time already retired from PERS). The benefit is calculated by multiplying the hourly rate at the time of eligibility, by the number of consecutive years in office, and then multiplying the result by one half of the annual sick leave benefit provided to management employees at the time of eligibility. The official may defer use of this benefit if otherwise covered on the County health plan at the time of eligibility so long as there is no break in coverage during the deferral period. Pursuant to existing practice the balance does not accrue interest. (NOTE: The change in the formula will go into effect at the start of each sitting electeds next consecutive term in office and at the time of filing candidacy papers for any new candidate who is subsequently elected.) Any previously earned benefit will be calculated and recorded by the Finance Department.
If a balance remains at the time the elected, and/or his/her spouse or eligible dependent no longer participates in the County health insurance, this amount can be applied toward a Medicare Part B plan or Medicare supplement, or PERS Long Term Care plan. Participation in the County health insurance program is not required for the elected, and/or spouse or eligible dependent to direct all or part of the funds in this account to a Medicare Part B or PERS Long Term Care plan premium. In all other instances, any balance on account remains property of County.
P.O.S.T. EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY
Employees in the classifications of Assistant Chief DA Investigator, Undersheriff, Assistant Sheriff, Sheriffs Commander, and Chief District Attorney Investigator who possess a valid P.O.S.T. Management Certificate shall be entitled to receive compensation in the amount of $550.00 per month ($253.85 per pay period). Employees must submit certification to the appropriate department head prior to payment authorization. Employees receiving compensation for P.O.S.T. Management Certification shall not be entitled to compensation for other P.O.S.T. certification.
Employees in the above indicated classifications possessing valid, current P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certification shall be entitled to receive compensation in the amount of $500.00 per month ($230.76 per pay period). Eligible employees must submit appropriate certification to the department prior to payment authorization. Employees receiving compensation for P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certification shall not be entitled to compensation for other P.O.S.T. certification.
Employees in the above indicated classifications possessing valid, current P.O.S.T. Advanced Certification shall be entitled to receive compensation in the amount of $450.00 per month ($207.69 per pay period). Eligible employees must submit appropriate certification to the department head prior to payment authorization. Employees receiving compensation for P.O.S.T. Advanced Certification shall not be entitled to compensation for other P.O.S.T. certification.
Employees in the above indicated classifications possessing valid, current P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification shall be entitled to receive compensation in the amount of $400.00 per month ($184.61 per pay period). Eligible employees must submit appropriate certification to the department head prior to payment authorization. Employees receiving compensation for P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification shall not be entitled to compensation for other P.O.S.T. certification.
FIRE CERTIFICATION PAY
Employees in the classification of Assistant Fire Chief and Battalion Chief who obtain and maintain EMT-D qualification shall be entitled to additional compensation in the amount of $75.00 per month ($34.61 per pay period).
Employees in the above indicated classifications who obtain and maintain a Fire Officer certification shall be entitled to additional compensation in the amount of $175.00 per month ($80.76 per pay period). All Battalion Chiefs who obtain and maintain a Chief Officer certification shall be entitled to additional compensation in the amount of $237.00 monthly ($109.38 per pay period). Appropriate certification documentation must be received by the department prior to payment authorization. Employees receiving compensation for Chief Officer shall not be entitled to receive additional compensation for Fire Officer certification.
FIRE STIPEND
The intent for the Fire Stipend is to provide a method of compensation when the Assistant Fire Chief or Battalion Chiefs are assigned to work extra shifts outside their regular assigned working hours. Based on an estimate of anticipated vacation, training time and possible sick leave use for the three field Battalion Chiefs, it is necessary to provide additional field coverage for up to 52 shifts or partial shifts annually. The Fire Stipend applies to the Assistant Fire Chief and all assigned Battalion Chiefs in the Operations, Fire Prevention and Training Divisions.
The stipend rates are as followed:
Stipend Hours
$500 8 to less than 16 hours
$1,000 16 to less than 24 hours
$1,500 24 hours or more
While the Administrative Battalion Chief assigned to Fire Prevention/Training activity would also be eligible for the stipend if they cover for an Operation Battalion, this stipend will not apply for coverage of the Fire Prevention/ Training Battalion Chiefs absences.
FIRE MANAGEMENT STRIKE TEAM PAY
Fire management positions (Battalion Chief and Assistant Fire Chief) will be compensated while on, or as relief to, strike team at the current rate required by the California Fire Assistance Agreement with Cal OES.
BATTALION CHIEF HOLIDAY-IN-LIEU
All Shift (56-Hour work week) Fire Battalion Chiefs shall receive Holiday-in-Lieu. Holidayin-Lieu time will be recorded and paid as 24 hours of Holiday-in-Lieu for each whole holiday and 12 hours for each half-day holiday. If a Shift Battalion Chief is required to work on a holiday, no other day off will be traded or exchanged for the schedule day.
All Administrative (40-hour work week - Fire Prevention/ Training) Battalion Chiefs shall receive eight (8) hours Holiday Pay and will receive an additional 16 hours of Holiday-in-Lieu for each whole holiday. On ½ day holidays, Administrative Battalion Chiefs will receive four (4) hours of Holiday Pay with no additional compensation of Holiday-in-lieu.
Please click here to view the current Salary Resolution for information on the following:
LONGEVITY PAY
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
BILINGUAL PAY
LEGAL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION PAY
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BOUNUS
HOLIDAY CLOSURE
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
01
The application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed fully. The following supplemental questions are used to help determine qualifications and eligibility to continue in the recruitment process. All education and experience used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on the education and work history portion of your application. Incomplete applications or supplemental questionnaires cannot be revised after submission and may be grounds for rejection. Responses such as "see resume" or "see application" or brief general statements will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may be rejected. By clicking "I Accept" below, I certify that I understand and will follow the application instructions.
02
This position requires the equivalent to a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, or a closely related field, including 30 semester units, or equivalent, of basic science.
03
Please list your education from an accredited college or university. Include the following information: 1) Name of college or university you attended; 2) Degree received; 3) Major and minor studied; 4) Number of units completed and indicate semester or quarter units. If you do not possess any units from an accredited college or university, type "N/A".
04
Please indicate your diverse experience in both consumer protection and hazardous materials/solid waste programs at a level equivalent to the classification of Senior Environmental Health Specialist with Kings County. For a full description of the Senior Environmental Health Specialist click here.
05
Do you possess a valid California Department of Public Health Services certificate of registration, to be maintained throughout employment? NOTE: Applicants must attach a copy of the required certificate prior to submitting application in order to be considered. For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click here.
06
Do you possess a valid California Drivers License (CADL)? NOTE: Military Spouses, please attach copies of your supporting documentation. For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click here.
07
Describe your experience conducting complex environmental health inspections or investigations. In your response, please include the following: 1) the situation, 2) what steps you took, and 3) the outcome. If you do not have experience in this area, please put N/A.
08
Describe your experience providing leadership or supervision within an environmental health program. In your response, please including the following: 1) How you have training, guided, and evaluated staff, 2) How many employees you supervised, and 3) what strategies you have used to improve team performance or service delivery.
09
This position requires the ability to: qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check; work irregular hours including evenings, holidays and weekends; work on-call and overtime as necessary; travel within and outside of the County; and become medically certified to use personal protective equipment including respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus.
10
Please provide any additional information relevant to your qualifications for this position that you believe should be considered when evaluating your application. Write "N/A" if you do not have any additional information to provide.
11
I understand that only a complete and accurate application will be considered. I have included all current and at least 15 years previous work history and education. I also understand that my application must show all the relevant education and experience that I possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. Additionally, I understand that the supplemental questions are considered part of my official application. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, or discharge from employment. By clicking "I Accept" below, I certify that I understand and have followed the application instructions.
Required Question
Employer Kings County
Address Kings County Government Center
1400 W. Lacey Blvd
Hanford, California, 93230
Phone (559) 852-2510