Public Health Sanitarian (2 Positions)

Responsibilities

Work Location: (Primary) 225 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905 – Will visit locations throughout Broome County

Job Summary: This position exists in the Health Department and involves performing professional activities in the education, inspection, investigation, and enforcement of permitted and non-permitted entities. An employee in this class applies the principles of the natural and social sciences for the detection, evaluation, control, and management of those factors in the environment which influence the public’s health. The position is responsible for planning, supervising, and carrying out one or more environmental health programs. The work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level Sanitarian or Engineer. This position differs from that of Public Health Technician in the greater complexity of the work involved and level of program responsibility. Supervision may be exercised over a small staff of Public Health Technicians. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities:

• Inspects food service establishments, lead paint hazards, mobile home parks, public water supplies, residential sewage disposal systems, bathing beaches and swimming pools, children’s camps, campgrounds, and temporary residences to determine compliance with the New York State Sanitary Code;
• May supervise a staff of Public Health Technicians by making work assignments and reviewing results for technical accuracy;
• Assesses complaint calls, recommends solutions, appropriate referrals or schedules Public Health Technicians to investigate;
• May collect water, food and other samples for laboratory examination to determine organic or inorganic and bacterial contamination;
• Prepares reports and case histories on inspections, investigations and program status, as well as arranges for enforcement action, office conferences and legal hearings with senior staff;
• Participates in enforcement proceedings including testifying at hearings;
• Reviews plans for individual sewage disposal systems, food services, pools and temporary residences to determine compliance with standards and policies;
• May collect, preserve and ship rabies specimens to the State Laboratory for analysis;
• May investigate communicable disease outbreaks, landfill sites, radiological emergencies and petroleum and chemical spills;
• Responsible for specific program management including timely permit issuance, timely and complete inspection, and preparation of program activity reports;
• Provides education to regulated facilities, individuals and groups on public health issues related to disease, injury and chronic conditions;
• May respond to spills, pipe ruptures and accidents in the release of materials that may produce environmental hazards.
• Performs Emergency Preparedness duties prior, during and after a natural or manmade disaster;
• Plans and coordinates the training of Public Health Technicians regarding interview and inspection techniques;
• Plans and coordinates training of facility operators, including operators of residential sewage disposal systems, food services, pools, beaches, and temporary residences and tobacco retailers and businesses in code requirements and proper facility operations;
• Assesses and evaluates program performance productivity and effectiveness of field staff supervised;
• Provides technical assistance to staff supervised; Increases the environmental status of residents in the target area by improving housing conditions and sanitation in the neighborhood by reporting rodent infestations, poor garbage storage or lead paint hazards.

Required Skills & Essential Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of environmental health practices;
• Good knowledge of laws pertaining to the inspection of solid waste facilities, water supply and sewage disposal systems, food service establishments, temporary housing and other regulated facilities;
• Working knowledge of the natural sciences; Working knowledge of mathematics;
• Ability to prepare and make concise reports;
• Ability to explain legal provisions and environmental health practices;
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of people;
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;
• Ability to train others in environmental health inspection work;
• Courtesy;
• Tact;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualification

1. A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree which must have included at least 30 semester credit hours in the natural sciences, of which not more than twelve credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and have satisfactorily completed a public health training course approved by the State Health Department within two years of OR
2. B) Five (5) years of experience as a Public Health Technician deemed satisfactory by the local commissioner of health or public health director and have satisfactorily completed a public health training course approved by the State Health Department.

*Per Section 11.111 of the New York State Department of Health Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYSDOHCRR).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of the appropriate level Motor Vehicle Operator’s License or otherwise demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Salary: $23.60/hr

To Apply

To submit an application, resume and cover letter, please visit https://www.gobroomecounty.com/jobs/public-health-sanitarian