TYIRA S. HARRIS
Richmond,VA
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Health Specialist Sr.
Virginia Department of Health
01.2022 - Current
- Conducts comprehensive health and sanitary inspections across food services, migrant labor camps, daycare centers, and tourist accommodations to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Inspects licensed dining and food service facilities to ensure strict adherence to local, state, and federal health regulations.
- Inspects public and permitted aquatic facilities to verify water safety, enforce regulatory compliance, and mitigate health risks.
- Investigates public health complaints regarding sewage, water quality, and food-borne illnesses, taking direct enforcement actions to protect community health.
- Investigates animal bites and coordinates rabies exposure follow-ups and prevention.
- Assesses and signs off on engineering and layout plans for food services, public pools, and tourist venues prior to health permit issuance.
- Navigates complex environmental regulations and policies to verify compliance and protect community health.
- Serves as the primary technical point of contact for Environmental Health inquiries, driving investigations into environmental compliance and public health concerns.
- Identified and documented health code violations during inspections of temporary festival food booths.
- Responds to emergency fire calls at permitted health establishments.
Environmental Health Associate
Virginia Department of Health
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Applied independent judgment and a thorough understanding of environmental health laws, regulations, and departmental policies to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Collaborated with senior environmental health professionals to independently manage diverse, moderately complex workloads, ensuring timely project completion.
- Evaluated building permit applications against Chesterfield County Ordinances to verify strict compliance prior to official release.
- Compiled and prepared comprehensive permit and certification packages for Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) review and final sign-off.
- Educated stakeholders, contractors, and the public on permit and certification requirements, enhancing understanding and compliance with regulations.
- Utilized the Accela software platform to streamline the processing, tracking, and approval of building permits.
- Conducted on-site compliance monitoring for completed wells, verifying location boundaries and construction techniques before reporting findings to the EHS.
- Investigated public health complaints regarding environmental nuisances, documenting violations and contributing to effective resolution and public health safety.
- Investigated reported animal bites, monitored quarantined animals, and safely prepared and packaged biological specimens for rabies laboratory examination.
- Managed the secure chain of custody and transport of critical rabies, soil, and food samples for laboratory analysis.
- Synthesized data from well plats, applications, and field observations to draft precise schematic drawings for water, well, and septic system construction permits.
- Served as a primary point of contact for consultants, businesses, and citizens to resolve inquiries regarding building permits and rabies protocols.
- Leveraged the Environmental Health Database (EHD) to accurately process, track, and manage rabies surveillance reports.
Community Health Worker
22nd Century Contractor - Virginia Department of Health
06.2021 - 07.2021
- Designed and delivered educational training programs on Narcan administration.
- Managed distribution of harm reduction and hygiene supplies, including Narcan and condoms, enhancing community health resources.
- Connected residents to essential services addressing social determinants of health, ensuring access to food assistance, clothing, diapers, housing support, utility help, and transportation.
- Provided culturally appropriate health education and led wellness or safety sessions (such as monthly car seat safety classes under VDH's Low Income Safety Seat Distribution and Education Program).
- Forged strategic partnerships between local communities, healthcare systems, and state health departments.
- Led community development initiatives by organizing and coordinating local events and programs to foster community engagement and support.
- Assessed and fulfilled individualized resource needs for clients.
Education Support Specialist 1 (Environmental Health)
22nd Century Contractor - Virginia Department of Health
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Cultivated community trust during critical public health campaigns, successfully balancing rigorous Executive Order enforcement with supportive business communications.
- Converted technical regulations—including state Executive Orders and VDH guidelines—into clear enforcement strategies.
- Upheld regulatory integrity through the strict, systematic application of organizational policies and enforcement procedures.
- Demonstrated strong cultural competency in diverse communities, managing sensitive scenarios tactfully and consulting leadership on high-stakes issues.
- Designed and spearheaded quality control procedures across vaccination clinical operations.
- Provided logistics and scheduling support for large-scale public health operations at vaccination clinics.
- Enhanced data accuracy through extraction of routine spreadsheet reports and updating outcome metrics within the REDCap platform.
- Ensured equitable access to information by integrating the Propio Language Line to assist non-English speaking business owners.
- Authored high-quality compliance letters, refining template materials to ensure clear, professional, and grammatically flawless communications.
Education Support Specialist 1 (Lead)
22nd Century Contractor- Virginia Department of Health
04.2020 - 01.2021
- Directed public outreach campaigns to enhance community engagement and raise awareness of lead safety.
- Educated the public on lead poisoning risks through door-to-door canvassing, direct mail, and in-person presentations.
- Cultivated and maintained strategic partnerships with community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration on lead safety initiatives.
- Served as a subject matter expert by promptly responding to public and stakeholder inquiries regarding lead safety.
- Managed risk and quality reporting for high-priority lead cases.
- Compiled and analyzed complex case data to inform strategies and improve lead safety interventions using platforms like VEDSS, Medtox, and LSRP.
- Developed comprehensive written service plans in collaboration with lead mitigation partners to resolve high-risk problem areas.
- Connected clients with critical external programs, healthcare services, and community resources.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams and supervisors to optimize workflow and case management strategies.
- Utilized interpretation services like the Propio Language Line to ensure seamless communication with diverse populations and overcome language barriers.
- Conducted detailed investigations and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases during emergency response operations (04/2020 – 07/2020).
Mental Health Skill Builder
Life Lessons Family Care
01.2018 - 04.2020
- Used psychoeducation and evidence-based techniques; such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles to help clients recognize early warning signs, challenge negative thought patterns, and practice emotional regulation.
- Provided hands-on, one-on-one coaching to help clients manage everyday routines such as personal hygiene, cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, and household cleaning.
- Assisted clients in understanding their prescribed psychiatric and physical health medications, establishing systems to take them on schedule, and monitoring adherence and side effects.
- Helped clients create a proactive crisis plan, respond during acute behavioral health episodes, and coordinate with emergency response or crisis stabilization teams when necessary.
- Responded effectively to acute crisis situations, implementing de-escalation techniques and ensuring client safety.
- Guided clients in building appropriate social interactions, communicating effectively, resolving conflict, and developing a reliable personal support system.
- Facilitated client access to local resources by providing transportation and guidance on navigating housing support, food banks, medical/psychiatric care, legal aid, employment services, and public transit.
- Evaluated the client's physical health, nutrition status, and living environment to ensure safety and prevent deterioration that could lead to a crisis or hospitalization.
- Maintained detailed clinical progress notes, tracked goal achievement, and authored comprehensive diagnostic assessments in conjunction with the Clinical Director.
- Prepared and updated Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), pinpointing specific client needs, problem areas, and actionable service objectives.
- Oversaw specialized caseload with short-term, solution-focused clinical strategies and interventions to empower clients with substance use disorders (SUD) in reaching their recovery goals.
- Organized and led community outreach events to increase program engagement and awareness of available resources.
Mental Health Skill Builder
Harry Co, LLC
02.2017 - 03.2018
- Provided hands-on, one-on-one coaching to help clients manage everyday routines such as personal hygiene, cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, and household cleaning.
- Assisted clients in understanding their prescribed psychiatric and physical health medications, establishing systems to take them on schedule, and monitoring adherence and side effects.
- Used psychoeducation and evidence-based techniques; such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles to help clients recognize early warning signs, challenge negative thought patterns, and practice emotional regulation.
- Facilitated development of clients' social skills, enhancing their communication, conflict resolution, and personal support systems.
- Connected and transported clients and taught them how to navigate local resources, including housing support, food banks, medical/psychiatric care, legal aid, employment services, and public transit.
- Instructed clients on financial literacy, enabling them to budget effectively, manage bills, and utilize personal stipends or benefits.
- Evaluated the client's physical health, nutrition status, and living environment to ensure safety and prevent deterioration that could lead to a crisis or hospitalization.
- Developed proactive crisis plans and coordinated with emergency response teams during acute behavioral health episodes.
- Documented clinical progress, monitored goal achievement, and collaborated with Clinical Director on comprehensive diagnostic assessments.
- Prepared and updated Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), pinpointing specific client needs, problem areas, and actionable service objectives.
- Responded effectively to acute crisis situations, implementing de-escalation techniques and ensuring client safety.
- Planned, coordinated, and executed targeted community outreach events to enhance program engagement and resource awareness.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Technician
Rubicon, Inc
06.2010 - 12.2016
- Monitored client behavior and safety, utilizing individual-specific interventions to manage crises and maintain a secure environment.
- Provided empathetic support to culturally diverse clients, fostering trust and promoting engagement in their recovery across various ages and backgrounds.
- Facilitated therapeutic groups and supported clients in developing and achieving their substance use recovery goals.
- Ensured safe administration and distribution of medications, upholding state guidelines and health standards to support client health and recovery.
- Enforced strict adherence to local, state, and federal regulations through regular compliance inspections and evaluations of recovery residences.
- Oversaw diagnostic testing processes to ensure accuracy and compliance., overseeing the collection and documentation of urine screens and Alco-sensor tests.
- Directed daily facility operations to guarantee all scheduled treatment activities and clinical programming ran seamlessly.
- Built community linkages through coordination with external agencies, connecting clients to vital resources that enhanced their recovery journey.
- Equipped the recovery residence with targeted evaluations and actionable feedback to correct deficiencies.
Education
AS - Medical Assisting (Clinical)
AS - Human Services
Skills
- Highly motivated and adaptable professional with a proven track record of driving tasks to completion both independently and within collaborative team environments Combines strong administrative acumen—including regulatory compliance, records management, and event planning—with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills A resourceful problem solver and rapid learner dedicated to building strong professional relationships and delivering high-quality results
- Regulatory Compliance & Interpretation
- File & Records Maintenance
- Project & Event Planning
- Technical & Computer Proficiency
- Professional Writing & Speaking
- Active Listening & Social Perceptiveness
- Relationship & Rapport Building
- Creative Problem Solving
- Independent Workflow Management
- Rapid Skill Acquisition (Quick Learner)
- Regulatory enforcement
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Written communication
- Food safety compliance
- Public health investigations
- Permitting review
- Environmental regulations
- Environmental compliance
- Field inspections
- Hazardous complaints
- Case documentation
- Sanitation inspection
Certification
- SERV Safe Food Handler
- Certificate: Substance Abuse Counseling (CSAC-A eligible)
- Certificate: Direct Care Aide
- Certificate: Medication Aide
Timeline
Environmental Health Specialist Sr.
Virginia Department of Health
01.2022 - Current
Environmental Health Associate
Virginia Department of Health
07.2021 - 01.2022
Community Health Worker
22nd Century Contractor - Virginia Department of Health
06.2021 - 07.2021
Education Support Specialist 1 (Environmental Health)
22nd Century Contractor - Virginia Department of Health
01.2021 - 06.2021
Education Support Specialist 1 (Lead)
22nd Century Contractor- Virginia Department of Health
04.2020 - 01.2021
Mental Health Skill Builder
Life Lessons Family Care
01.2018 - 04.2020
Mental Health Skill Builder
Harry Co, LLC
02.2017 - 03.2018
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Technician
Rubicon, Inc
06.2010 - 12.2016