Director of Environmental Health Services

The Opportunity
The County of San Mateo seeks a seasoned environmental health executive to lead County-wide regulatory and public health protection programs. This role requires both technical depth and executive maturity — someone who brings deep environmental health science expertise while operating effectively in a complex political and public accountability environment.

The Director serves as the County’s chief environmental health authority, responsible for ensuring defensible regulatory enforcement, safeguarding public health, and maintaining the integrity of County environmental health operations. Success in this role demands strong judgment related to regulatory compliance, public health risk issues, along with the ability to guide the organization through evolving regulatory and community expectations. The role requires executive presence and persuasive communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear, board-ready presentations and translate technical information into accessible policy implications.

Stakeholder & Political Acumen
The Director must operate confidently within a public governance environment, maintaining productive relationships with:
The Board of Supervisors and legislative bodies. County departments and peer agencies. Regulatory partners at the State and regional levels. Community stakeholders and the media when necessary.

Political awareness, discretion, and credibility are essential. The Director must be comfortable navigating competing interests while maintaining compliance integrity and public health standards.

Executive Success Profile
The ideal candidate is a strong, visionary leader who leads with empathy and transparency. They build trust through honest communication, empower staff through autonomy and mentorship, and drive excellence through strategic, data-informed decision-making. They strengthen morale, foster a healthy and inclusive culture, and serve as a collaborative partner committed to continuous improvement and sustainable success. In short, this is a leader who connects with people, builds trust, inspires excellence, and delivers results while ensuring staff feel valued, supported, and respected.

Transparent & Clear Communicator
Communicates directly and transparently
Provides clear direction and expectations
Invites feedback and encourages dialogue
Demonstrates meaningful follow-through
They connect with staff at all levels and ensure transparency in decision-making, reinforcing trust and accountability.

Builder of Trust, Culture & Morale
Strengthening morale and promoting well-being
Modeling accountability and transparency
Valuing staff expertise and professionalism
Encouraging collaboration and team building
They foster psychological safety, empower staff, and extend trust— creating a workplace where individuals feel confident to contribute ideas and take initiative.

Emotionally Intelligent & Compassionate Leader
A good listener who practices active listening
Compassionate and culturally sensitive valuing diversity and equity
Fair, honest, and open to discussion
Committed to fostering psychological safety
They recognize that strong morale and meaningful engagement begin with cultivating mutual respect and trust. Staff feel seen, valued, and supported.

Strategic, Forward-Thinking & Innovative
Visionary and forward-thinking
Innovative and improvement-oriented
Process-driven and outcome-focused
Data-driven in decision-making
They provide clear direction while remaining adaptable and focused on measurable results and sustainable progress.

Knowledgeable & Credible
Possess meaningful field work experience
Knowledgeable of programs and operations
Strong problem-solving skills
Modeling accountability and strengthens organizational
accountability systems

Their lived understanding of the work builds trust and reinforces their ability to provide meaningful guidance.

About San Mateo County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 770,000 residents, San Mateo County is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors elected by district to serve alternating four-year terms.

The County provides for the health and welfare of all people within its borders and serves as the local government for the unincorporated areas. It has a budget of $5.8B and approximately 6,000 employees.

About San Mateo County Health
As a county health department, San Mateo County Health administers public health programs and provides clinical and supportive services to the community. Our mission is to help everyone in San Mateo County live longer and better lives.

County Health protects the public by regulating harms that could cause disease, informing advocacy to achieve healthier communities, and preventing the spread of disease. County Health is also a safety-net provider with a long history of innovation in health care delivery. We support those in need with comprehensive prevention and treatment programs and services.

We strive to protect and promote the health of everyone in San Mateo County by working to prevent diseases before they occur, treating mental and physical conditions, and monitoring the environment and the health of our community.

San Mateo County Health is comprised of the following divisions: Aging & Disability Services, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Correctional Health Services, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health Services, Family Health Services, Public Health, Policy & Planning, and San Mateo Medical Center hospital and clinics.

Apply online at jobs.smcgov.org
Deadline to Apply: April 6,2026, at 5:00 PM, PST