Job Summary

The Department of Environmental Health and Quality announces an excellent career opportunity

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TRAINEE-FOOD AND HOUSING DIVISION

Interviews will start the week of April 13, 2026.

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AT STEP 1, $63,814.40ANNUALLY.

County employees are subject to the County Promotion Rule for Step Placement in Accordance with Compensation Ordinance 1.3.5.

Future Salary Increases:

** June 2026 – 5.40% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 1.90% Market Adjustment)

** June 2027 – 4.90% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 1.90% Market Adjustment)

This position requires the evaluation letter from CDPH, which takes a minimum of six weeks to obtain. If you are interested in applying, BEGIN THE PROCESS NOW!

About the Job:

Environmental Health Specialist Trainees protect the environment, public health, and safety of San Diego County residents through permit, inspection, consultation, planning, investigation and enforcement activities in a wide variety of program areas. Environmental Health Specialist Trainees receive on-the-job training to perform basic inspections and investigations for compliance with environmental laws and regulations. For additional information on this job class, please click Environmental Health Specialist Trainee.

Food and Housing Division (FHD) is responsible for protecting the public from disease, health threats, safety hazards, and nuisances as they relate to food, housing, public swimming pools, and body art facilities.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ**
Positions in the Food and Housing Division require an evaluation letter (Letter of Eligibility) from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The process for obtaining the evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health is outlined on this CDPH web page. (Download PDF reader) You will be required to submit your transcripts to CPS HR Consulting for evaluation and submit the CDPH application form to the California Department of Public Health, per the application instructions on the CDPH web page. (Download PDF reader) For additional information on this program, click here to be taken to the California Department of Public Health's Registered Environment Health Specialist information page.

If you do not qualify to be certified as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) but qualify as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee (EHS Trainee), you will be sent the evaluation letter from the California Department of Public Health which states that the applicant is eligible to begin training in an approved environmental health program. This is the letter required for this position.

The above process takes a minimum of 6 weeks. If you are interested in this position, BEGIN THIS PROCESS NOW!

Hiring Process and Timeline:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

I. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
II. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following
successful background investigation results.
III. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful
completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency with at least 30 semester units of core science coursework and laboratories as specified by California Department of Public Health.

A current evaluation letter from the State of California, Department of Public Health which states that the applicant is eligible to begin training in an approved environmental health program. This letter is required at time of application.

NOTE: Applicants must attach a copy of their official or unofficial college or university complete transcripts, or foreign studies equivalency certification.

If applicants previously applied for Environmental Health Specialist Trainee for the County of San Diego and attached an evaluation letter which is still considered valid, and college or university transcripts to their master profile, then they may by-pass this requirement. If applicants previously applied and did not possess the evaluation letter but have since obtained it, it must be attached to the current application.

Blind Applicant Screening:
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.

Condition of Employment:
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation:
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provide is accurate and qualifying.

Accommodation:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran’s Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov (Download PDF reader)) (Download PDF reader).
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.

County of San Diego

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