Careers

Public Health Sanitarian

Rensselaer County

Posted 11/2/2026

Responsibilities

Typical Work Activities

Performs routine and follow-up inspections of sanitary conditions of camps, hotels and other premises including semi-public or individual water supplies and sewage disposal devices, refuse disposal, air pollution, public health nuisance complaints and general sanitation;

Performs routine and follow-up inspections of swimming pools and beaches to determine compliance with local and state Sanitary Code requirements;

Performs routine and follow-up inspections of restaurants and public eating places, including activities pertaining to food handling and storage, food service, dishwashing and disinfecting of dishes and utensils;

Performs routine and follow-up inspections of public health nuisances, rodent and pest harborages and related matters and advises local officials of corrective measures;

Collects drinking water samples for chlorine content, pH, hardness, alkalinity testing and organic, inorganic and bacterial contamination testing;

Inspects sites and advises homeowners on design of home sewage systems depending on varying soil conditions;

Advises homeowners on bat and rodent control, including bat and rodent exclusion methods;

Collects and delivers suspected diseased animals to State laboratories for analysis as needed;

Aids homeowners, local officials and commercial operators on proper sanitary operation of wells, pumps and water sources protection;

Maintains records and completes inspection reports related to the work.

Performs routine and follow-up investigations on physician-initiated disease-related referrals related to lead exposure, gathering samples for testing and facilitate, coordinate and monitor corrective actions;

Complies information and data which is entered into computed data bases;

Assists other personnel in obtaining information and administering programs, answers telephones, faxes information and correspondence, photocopies, attends meetings, assists with training of students from local schools, colleges and hospital programs on public health practices;

Travels to and from office to visit regulated and unregulated facilities.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

Working knowledge of basic principles and practices related to proper environmental public health inspection techniques;

Working knowledge of applicable provisions of the State Sanitary Code related to environmental public health inspections;

Working knowledge of general principles of microbiology, chemistry and general science;

Skill in health inspection techniques;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public;

Ability to understand and interpret written material;

Ability to solve arithmetic problems related to environmental public health inspections;

Ability to prepare accurate reports.

This is a competitive class professional position involving responsibility and working experience on a level above that of the Technician class/title. An incumbent must demonstrate applied expertise in more complex situations reflected in the various aspects of Public Health Environmental Health Law and how Public Health Law is formed and applied to Environmental Health. A Public Health Sanitarian supports Senior level Sanitarians, the Public Health Engineer and the Environmental Health Director in performing their duties.

A Public Health Sanitarian does related work as required.

Minimum Qualification

Open-Competitive: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered 4-year College or University with a minimum of 30 credit hours in Natural Sciences of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences. Additionally, an incumbent must complete a public health training course approved by the New York State Department of Health within 2 years on an appointment; or

Promotional: Be a Public Health Technician with 60 months (Five Years) of verified, applicable service approved by the Public Health Director

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

Working knowledge of the State Sanitary Code, working knowledge of public health inspection techniques, working knowledge of biology, chemistry and general science, ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with coworkers and the general public, ability to prepare accurate reports, strong math skills, and physical condition commensurate with the position’s field duties