ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I - HEALTH

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I - 7020

GRADE - 110

PAY RANGE - $25.72 - $36.67/hr- plus a comprehensive benefits package

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs professional and administrative duties, inspections and investigations relating to the enforcement of sanitary food codes, public health laws, rules and regulations for the Manchester Health Department; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to enforce environmental public health codes and standards for the City of Manchester. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of an assigned supervisor but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, business owners or managers, other City employees and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed both indoors (homes and businesses) and outdoors, often in hazardous situations with exposure to infectious agents, chemical sand, and illicit substances.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Inspects restaurants, food processing plants, food stores and related food handling establishments for compliance with the State of New Hampshire Rules for the Sanitary Production of Food and relevant City Ordinances;
• Examines store records and food handling processes;
• Reviews plans and specifications for new and remodeled food establishments;
• Performs on-site inspection of construction areas;
• Makes corrections to plans and approves final plans before issuing health permits;
• Collects food and other environmental samples, evaluates test results, and notifies the appropriate party of deficiencies and recommends corrective actions and re-inspects to determine compliance;
• Supports public health emergency response efforts as requested;
• Advises on changes in practices necessary to protect the public health;
• Inspects facilities and buildings which serve the public for compliance with sanitary regulations and standards including: swimming pools, spas, childcare facilities, foster care homes, schools and other regulated facilities;
• Investigates public health nuisance complaints, food and water borne illness outbreaks and lead paint poisoning incidents;
• Conducts indoor air quality investigations, including: analysis of HVAC systems, sampling and testing with other environmental health staff;
• Deploys traps and collects mosquitoes for speciation and submission for testing;
• Inspects streets, alleys and dumping areas to determine sanitary conditions;
• Responds to citizen and business complaints regarding infectious waste, including: sharps waste, and safely removes such material for proper disposal;
• Inspects septic system installation, reviews plans and witnesses test pits;
• Determines adequacy of septic systems and performs tests for potential failure;
• Plans, implements, and evaluates environmental health programs;
• Conducts water sampling of natural bathing locations throughout city;
• Collaborates with City and State Departments regarding the licensing of facilities, complaints, special events, arboviral surveillance, and routine food/water sampling;
• Maintains records, statistical data and writes reports on all inspections, enforcement and related activities;
• Prepares and presents educational programs for food establishment operators and the general public;
• Educates the public concerning public health practices and requirements;
• Participates in enforcement actions, including testifying in court;
• Provides technical assistance and guidance in the operation of mass care shelters;
• Responds to questions from the public and provides education and information on general environmental health concerns;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Substantial knowledge of the practices, principles and methods of environmental and public health administration;
• Substantial knowledge of food service inspection practices and techniques;
• Substantial knowledge of environmental health science;
• Substantial knowledge of public health and sanitation codes and regulations;
• Substantial knowledge of inspection and investigation techniques;
• Substantial knowledge of epidemiology, communicable disease and insect and vector practices;
• Substantial knowledge and ability to safely and effectively use the appropriate personal protective equipment for the task at hand;
• Substantial knowledge of information systems and hardware related to electronic documentation for facility and client records;
• Substantial knowledge of basic incident command and emergency management principles;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a related health field; and
• Zero to two years of experience in public or environmental health; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License;
• New Hampshire Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification or equivalent within six months of date of hire;
• New Hampshire ServSafe Food Manager Certification within six months of date of hire;
• Specific National Incident Management System (NIMS) Federal Incident Command System (ICS) Certifications within 12 months of date of hire.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform on-site inspections and review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and related office equipment;
• Sufficient mobility and flexibility which allows employees to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, push, pull, climb reach and grasp occasionally;
• Sufficient strength and endurance with or without reasonable accommodations, which permits the employee to lift, carry and move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently and 20 pounds continuously;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to have access to all areas of the City.

Salary : $26 - $37