Hospital Environmental Health and Safety Investigator (HSC 4) – DOH7898

This recruitment is for two full-time permanent Health Services Consultant 4 (HSC 4) Hospital Environmental Health and Safety Investigator positions in the Office of Health Systems Oversight. 

This recruitment has been reposted to invite additional applicants to apply and will remain open continuously.  Those who applied prior need not reapply. Applicant review will be ongoing. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or to close the recruitment at any time.  

Are you ready to make a significant impact on public health in Washington State?  Do you have a passion for improving patient safety and ensuring health care facilities are meeting state and federal standards? Join our Hospital Systems Investigation Team as a Health Services Consultant 4!

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled individual to fill this role. This is an incredible opportunity to work serving the community as an agency expert in health care facility inspections and complaint investigations and as a crucial agency-wide expert on high-visibility and high-sensitivity issues.  

Make a difference 

As the Hospital Environmental Health and Safety Investigator, our Health Services Consultants support the agency’s mission to work with others to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State by providing professional and technical expertise in conducting environmental health and safety inspections and other non-clinical compliance inspections and investigations in state and federally regulated hospitals. In addition, Health Services Consultants may also provide technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders and customers regarding compliance and related issues and explain the results of an inspection and investigation in various settings, including testifying in legal proceedings.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Conducting on-site and off-site inspections and investigations in multiple geographic areas within Washington State determining compliance with state and federal health and safety standards in assigned health care facilities including but not limited to: Acute Aare Hospitals (HAC), Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), and Psychiatric Hospitals (HPSY).  
• In conjunction with state and federal rules and regulations, creating written reports and giving verbal explanations of investigation findings.
• Providing education and technical assistance on compliance with state and federal health and safety regulations of assigned facilities.
• Coordinating with other state agencies, federal agencies, environmental and public health programs, and organizations such as DOH Office of Drinking Water and Wastewater Management, local health departments, and community organizations as appropriate to integrate and promote consistency and clarity of information for patient safety.

Join a great team and lead us into the future

The Health System Quality Assurance division helps prevent injuries, develop health systems, and improve patient safety by working closely with communities and local health partners. Our over 500 employees regulate and support more than 463,000 health professionals in 83 health professions and 11,000 health groups and programs. Our work centers on patient safety, access to care, healthy and thriving communities, transparency, partner-informed decisions, health equity, and a healthy culture for our employees. 

Work setting

If reporting to a duty station is needed, the position will report to Tumwater. This position is a hybrid - telework (mobile work) position. Travel throughout the state of Washington is required. When approved, the incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance of work activities, including telework and reporting to the Tumwater duty station, as needed. 

Join Our Team in Beautiful Tumwater, Washington! As our newest team member, you’ll get to experience the charm of this vibrant location while contributing to our mission. 

Work that matters

Public health promotes and protects the health of all people in the state of Washington, in the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. We understand that our efforts to achieve more equitable health outcomes for the communities we serve begin with our ability to operationalize and institutionalize equity throughout our internal policies, systems, and practices. 

About DOH 

Join the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to safeguarding public health. As a frontline defender of our communities, DOH collaborates with partners around the clock to impact the lives of every Washingtonian and visitor. We’re not just an organization; we’re a catalyst for change, guided by our core values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement. Our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington’s health is in motion, and we invite you to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of the state by joining us in this exciting journey. Your work at DOH truly matters.

Why DOH  

We are dedicated to your work-life harmony and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, designed to support your lifestyle. To learn more about “Why DOH”, visit Work@Health.   

Our Ideal Candidate 

Has a driving passion for the work, brings humility to their job and interactions, and understands how their actions affect others. They see the needs and objectives of others and take them into account while achieving their objectives, and they adapt their approach and expectations accordingly. They demonstrate resilience and outward behaviors even when confronted with others who are not open or collaborative. 

Required Qualifications 

Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. 

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in environmental health, public health, or allied science AND four (4) or more years of experience in environmental health, which includes at least one year in an administrative, consultative, advisory, or supervisory capacity.

Desired Qualifications 

Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. 

Registered as Environmental Health Specialist or Registered Sanitarian. 

A Master's Degree in environmental health, public health, or allied science.

Prior experience leading or supervising the work of others.

Knowledge of principles, practices, organization, and objectives of environmental health; statutes, ordinances and resolutions pertaining to environmental health; state and federal laws and State Board of Health (SBOH) regulations relating to environmental health; bacteriology; vector control; and educational principles and techniques.

Application Process 

Intrigued? Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following: 

• A cover letter (without personal pictures) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position. 
• A current resume (without personal pictures). 
• Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section, which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led. 

Attachments: Do not attach any documents that include photos, letters of recommendation, or private information (transcripts, social security number, year of birth, etc.).    

Veterans: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year. 

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion  

We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.  

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. 

If you have questions, need accommodation in the application or selection process, or need information in an alternative format, contact Kristina.Cox@doh.wa.gov, (360) 485-5249. Deaf or hard of hearing contact Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1; individuals outside of Washington State contact Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6874.  

NEOGOV provides technical support at 1-855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). 

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions

With or without accommodation:

• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or adjust work-schedule to meet business needs and critical deadlines, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. 
• Frequent travel alone or with another person throughout Washington, which may include overnight stays, while performing the duties of the position. 
• Participate in emergency response exercises and emergency events/high-priority assignments as assigned.
• Due to the sensitive nature of work involving coordinated efforts with law enforcement and oversight of investigations, this position is subject to passing a criminal history background check prior to employment.

 
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