DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is professional work involving the investigation and inspection of non‑engineering aspects of environmental control.  Incumbents apply principles of physical, biological and social sciences in the detection, evaluation, control and management of environmental factor influencing human health. Responsibilities include planning, supervising and implementing one or more environmental health programs. This position differs from that of Public Health Sanitarian by virtue of increased complexity of assignment and/or higher level of supervisory responsibilities. Work is performed under general supervision of a higher level Sanitarian or Engineer.  Supervision may be exercised over Public Health Technicians, Outreach Workers and/or student interns. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:     (Illustrative only)

• Inspects food service establishments, lead paint hazards, mobile home parks, water supplies, sewage disposal systems, bathing beaches and swimming pools, proprietary camp sites, solid waste facilities, and temporary residences to determine compliance with the New York State Sanitary Code;
• Schedules Public Health Technicians, Outreach Workers and student interns to perform soil percolation tests and sewage system inspections;
• Supervises a small staff of Public Health Technicians, Outreach Workers and student interns by making work assignments and reviewing results for technical accuracy;
• Assesses complaint calls, recommends solutions, appropriate referrals or schedules Public Health Technicians and Outreach Workers to investigate;
• 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;
• Manages program implementation including timely permit issuance, timely and complete inspection and preparation of program activity reports;
• Plans and coordinates the training of Public Health Technicians, Outreach Workers and student interns regarding interview and inspection techniques;
• Plans and coordinates training of facility operators, including operators of individual sewage disposal systems, food services, pools, beaches and temporary residences 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;
• Aids to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries attributed to burns, poisoning, falls, fires or crime by providing educational materials and information;
• May collect water, food and other samples for laboratory examination to determine organic or inorganic and bacterial contamination;
• 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;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

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.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  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 communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Bachelor's Degree which must have included at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in the physical and biological sciences and one (1) year of experience as a Public Health Sanitarian; or
2. Five (5) years of experience as a Public Health Technician and one (1) year of experience as a Public Health Sanitarian deemed satisfactory by the Commissioner of Health.

PLEASE NOTE:  Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Incumbents must satisfactorily complete a training course approved by the NYSDOH within one (1) year of appointment unless completed prior to appointment.
2. Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

*  Per New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR), Title 10, Part 11.

12/99; 8/07; 1/09; 8/10

Competitive Class