PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST I/TRAINEE

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for participating in a wide variety of activities, including but not limited to investigations, personal interviews and reviews of available records and data for prevention and control purposes across the Department’s programs. Investigations may involve frequent contact with persons who may have been exposed to infection or are at risk or are suffering from disease or developmental delay. Incumbents must also establish working relationships with providers, community-based organizations, and educational institutions. Incumbents may also be responsible for project management and interpretation and evaluation of data under the general supervision of others. Does related work as required.

Public Health Specialists enforce the provisions of New York State’s Public Health Law (PHL) and other State and federal laws, rules, and regulations relating to community environmental health, sanitation, and safety. Incumbents conduct on-site inspections and surveys to evaluate environmental health conditions and/or regulatory and code compliance to improve the health, safety, and well-being of individuals and the public. Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level. Public Health Specialist I will function in a lead capacity and will be assigned more difficult projects and cases. They will assist in the supervision and training of Public Health Specialist Trainees.

Typical Work Activities (*Illustrative)
• Participates in the inspection and management of environmental health programs such as childhood lead poisoning, public water supplies, realty subdivisions, food service establishments, temporary residences, mobile home parks, campgrounds, swimming pools, bathing beaches, migrant farmworker housing, children’s camps, tobacco enforcement, Legionella control, and nuisance complaints.
• Conducts environmental health studies for compliance with standards of operation and sanitary procedures.
• Responds to emergencies and emerging public health issues.
• Communicates health assessments to the public and other government agencies and recommends measures to protect public health.
• Advises and consults with subordinates regarding enforcement of the Public Health Law and Sanitary Code provisions.
• Works with local building inspectors, law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel and other officials in the identification and elimination of unsanitary housing conditions
• Trains Public Health Specialist Trainees and other personnel as required.
• Prepares complaints and investigations to file when legal action is necessary and testifies at scheduled enforcement proceedings.
• Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail, and database software in performing work assignments.
• May perform other incidental tasks, as needed.
*Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

Additional Information
• Excellent benefits, NYS Retirement and Compensation Plan
• PH Specialist I is being filled on a provisional basis pending the results of a civil service exam to be given at a later date
• Public Health Specialist Trainee is covered under NYS HELPs. Program, and no exam is required

Minimum Qualification

PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST TRAINEE: Either…
A) Possession of a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences; OR
B) Possession of a bachelor’s degree which included thirty (30) credit hours in the *natural and applied **sciences, of which at least 18 credits are in the natural sciences.

PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST I: Either…
A. Possession of a Master’s Degree which included 30 credit hours in *natural and applied** sciences of which at least 18 credits are in the natural sciences, and one (1) year of experience conducting inspections to determine compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health laws, regulations, or established public health standards, and/or experience monitoring public health environmental hazards and developing methods to control or eliminate such hazards or spread of disease; OR
B. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree including at least 30 credit hours in *natural and applied** sciences of which at least 18 credits are in the natural sciences, and two (2) years of experience conducting inspections to determine compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health laws, regulations, or established public health standards, and/or experience monitoring public health environmental hazards and developing methods to control or eliminate such hazards or spread of disease;
NOTE: Appointees that qualify must satisfactorily complete a public health training course approved by the State Health Department within two years of appointment.

Special Requirement

Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s license or otherwise demonstrated ability to meet the transportation needs of the job.

Salary: PH Specialist I: $72,030 - $81,208* / Trainee: $61,465 - $70,636* (*Based on years of service employed with Saratoga County)

To Apply

Apply here: https://saratoga-portal.mycivilservice.com/

Qualified candidates may alternatively submit an application and resume, by mail or in person to the Personnel Officer – Civil Service Division, 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Resume may not be substituted for application

Fax submissions will not be accepted