Environmental Health Specialist I - Health Department

Location: Tucson, AZ

Job Description Summary

Department - Health

Job Description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5726 - Environmental Health Specialist I

Salary Grade: 8

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $23.98 - $28.19 Per Hour

Pay Range: $23.98 - $32.39 Per Hour

Range Explanation:

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The first review of applications will be on 10/09/2026.

Are you passionate about protecting public health and ensuring safe, healthy environments for your community? We are seeking a dedicated Environmental Health Specialist I to join our team and play a critical role in safeguarding residents and visitors through inspections, investigations, education, and regulatory compliance activities. In this position, you will conduct environmental health inspections and investigations at a variety of regulated facilities, including restaurants, food trucks, schools, hotels, childcare centers, recreational facilities, and housing establishments. You will work directly with business owners, community members, and government agencies to promote compliance with public health laws, prevent foodborne and waterborne illnesses, and address environmental health concerns. The ideal candidate is passionate about protecting public health and improving community well-being through education, collaboration, and service. They are eager to learn, receptive to guidance and professional development, and committed to applying environmental health regulations fairly and effectively. Candidates who possess or are eligible to obtain Arizona Registered Sanitarian credentials or equivalent qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until all positions are filled.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Investigates, inspects and advises recreational, housing and food agencies and establishments, e.g., restaurants, food mobiles, home/day care centers, hotels, motels, massage studios, ice manufacturing plants, bed and breakfast facilities, schools, trailer parks, and warehouses, within assigned area of jurisdiction on health related matters;
• Investigates vector-related complaints and recommends appropriate treatment of infested areas;
• Interprets, promotes, and enforces public health/food safety federal, state laws and regulations and local ordinances;
• Applies the intent of statutes, regulations and ordinances as they pertain to food establishments and agencies requiring licensing;
• Identifies the need for permit applications, operational plans and supporting documentation submittal for regulated facilities and activities to ensure compliance with applicable environmental health regulations;
• Recommends permit suspension, permit revocation and other enforcement tactics for non-compliance to supervisor for consideration;
• Responds to requests to abate environmental health hazards on public and private property;
• Maintains manual and computer-based records;
• Coordinates and communicates with local, county, state and federal agencies regarding environmental health investigations, compliance activities and public health initiatives;
• Prepares, presents, and submits routine, recurring and special reports regarding environmental health matters;
• Prepares educational manuals and handouts, facilitates workshops, pool and food certifications and other on-site educational programs;
• Participates in developing new programs and revising existing programs;
• Assists in performing epidemiological investigation of foodborne, waterborne, and vector-borne disease outbreaks;
• Assists in the collection of samples of food, water and sewage for laboratory analysis and interpreting results;
• Leads response, mitigation, and participation in public health and environmental health emergency response efforts related to drought, extreme heat, illness outbreaks, wildfires, sewage spills, flooding, and other community health hazards.

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful completion of 30 semester credit hours at an accredited college or university in subjects relevant to the role of sanitarian, including 22 semester hours in the natural sciences*, as approved by the Arizona Sanitarians Council.

(A transcript of courses completed including grades must be attached to the application materials.)

* The Sanitarian’s Council has defined “natural science” as a branch of science that deals with the physical world, including life, physical, and health sciences. The Sanitarians’ Council makes all final determinations as to whether individual courses meet the definition. For the purposes of this section, "sanitarian" means a person who by education or experience in the physical, biological and sanitary sciences is qualified to carry out educational, investigational and technical duties in the field of environmental health.

OR:

Three years of work experience as a sanitarian assistant, sanitarian aide, environmental health technician, or any other job title with similar duties in either a recognized public health agency or private industry in a position directly related to environmental health.

OR:

Three years of full-time military duty in the field of environmental health.

OR:

Valid registration in the State of Arizona as a registered sanitarian or current Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) credentials.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Registered Sanitarian in the State of Arizona or qualify for reciprocity by being registered in another state with a passing score at or above the qualification required by Arizona.
• College Degree.
• Environmental health work or intern experience.
• Bilingual (English, Spanish, Chinese, or other language).

Licenses and Certificates: All positions require possession of a valid registration in the State of Arizona as a professional sanitarian within eighteen months from the date of appointment. Some positions may require an Arizona Pest Control Operator certification at the time of appointment or prior to completion of initial/promotional probation. All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application. Failure to obtain / maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination. Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Item: Eligibility for professional Sanitarian registration is determined by the Sanitarian Council. Determinations as to whether your educational coursework qualifies you for registration is solely the discretion of the Arizona Sanitarian Council. The Council has the ultimate decision making ability as to whether a course will count as natural science credits. Pima County HR makes employment offers based on their understanding of the required coursework. If courses are not approved by the Sanitarian Council, the applicant/employee will have 18 months from date of hire to successfully complete both the coursework and the exam. Failure to become registered as a professional Sanitarian within the required period will result in termination of employment. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Work Requirements: The proper wearing of individual safety and protective clothing and equipment is required. Other physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Action Activity - bending, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone; Vision - operate a moto vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: All positions will be exposed to outdoor extreme climate conditions and indoor commercial environments that are sometimes extremely hot, cold, wet, and unsanitary. Other working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.