Environmental Protection Specialist, Retail Food DEHS - (EPS I)

The purpose is to primarily serve as an environmental protection specialist within the retail food program and provide support to the other regulatory programs in the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability. In this capacity, conduct regulatory inspections, prepare inspection reports, compliance advisories, and orders issuing civil enforcement actions that might include civil penalties. In addition to direct facility inspection oversight, this position will be providing compliance assistance, guidance and training to the regulated community and local public health agencies.

Residency Requirement:

Five (5) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to this position such as retail food experience which include regulatory compliance, conducting field inspections, enforcement related activities related to environmental protection, and/or retail food facility oversight/food safety compliance. 

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assigned to this position such as a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, physical or health science, environmental health, science education

AND 

One (1) year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to this position such as conducting inspections of retail food facilities, assisted living residences, child care centers, dairy farms and pasteurization plants, manufactured food production, investigations into child lead poisoning, and sustainability and green business initiatives.

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment background check

• Ability and willingness to travel independently or with a group throughout the state of Colorado up to 50% throughout the year. Some overnight travel may be required. Requires the use and operation of state fleet vehicles. *conditions apply. 

• Must be willing to work occasional evening, night, weekend, or holidays depending upon circumstances.

• Must be able and willing to work in adverse weather conditions.

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and walk on uneven and/or slick surfaces such as mud, ice, or snow.

Preferred and Essential Competencies:

• Relevant years of experience in retail food, assisted living residences, child care facilities, schools, manufactured foods, cottage foods, dairy farms and pasteurization facilities, child lead poisoning investigations, and green business initiatives that animal or crop production, regulatory compliance of agricultural businesses, etc. contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Keen attention to detail, with an ability to analyze facts and data, to reach a defensible decision.

• Self motivated, with the ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team.

• Ability to observe, electronically record, and interpret information.

• Ability to perform the physical demands of this active position.

• Advanced Interpersonal and conflict management skills e.g. displays understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy and concern.

• Develops and maintains effective relationships, deals skillfully with people who are difficult, hostile or distressed, effectively manages and resolves conflicts, confrontations and disagreements in a positive and constructive way.

• Ability to use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate errors and support decision-making.

• Displays a strong desire to learn and improve by actively soliciting, receiving, and implementing constructive feedback from supervisors and peers.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

A completed State of Colorado application includes:

• Unofficial transcripts if using education to substitute for experience.

• DD214 if claiming veterans status 

• Cover letter stating how you meet the minimum requirements and preferred qualifications of this position

The Selection Process:
All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager. E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.  Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at daniel.mckenna@state.co.usor call 303-692-2060, option 5.