Environmental Health - Health Inspector I/II/III

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of the Manager - Environmental Health to perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled field and administrative tasks, to include inspecting food and aquatic facilities establishments to identify violations and enforce codes and regulations relating to health and safety. In addition, this position investigates citizen complaints, implements the necessary actions to eliminate or abate public health nuisances, and educate applicable parties of health codes and regulations to ensure compliance, safety, and sanitation.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Health Inspector I/II – These positions exercise no supervision.

Health Inspector III – This position may occasionally function in a supervisory capacity in the absence of the Manager - Environmental Health.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Health Inspector I/II

Inspect a variety of public, semi-public, and private facilities and locations including permanent, mobile, and temporary food establishments, public and semi-public aquatic facilities, child care facilities, hotels and motels, and other locations for compliance with codes, regulations, and policies.

Identify code and regulation violations; prepare written reports to document inspection findings; recommend corrective measures and initiate enforcement actions, as needed.

Educate workers, operators, owners, and the public in sanitary practices and standards.

Monitor commercial food shipments involved in vehicle accidents for proper handling or disposal as needed.

Collect evidence and samples of food, food products, water, wastewater, vermin insects, and/or other materials or circumstances as needed related to possible violations or health threats; includes the collection of insects, rodent or other specimens for testing and applying appropriate control methods as needed.

Perform water quality tests, inspect physical facilities, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards for public and semi-public aquatic facilities.

Investigate and document complaints and potential violations of health, sanitation, and public nuisance laws; obtain compliance and/or abatement of violations found.

Respond to cases of public health emergencies to aid in mitigation; during public health emergencies, hours may be outside of normal business hours and may be long in duration.

Health Inspector III

Provide on-the-job training and education in both field and classroom settings for Health Inspector I and II personnel when needed.

In the absence of the Manager - Environmental Health, serves as acting manager, directing staff and serving as the liaison between the Director of Health Services and citizens who have complaints or wish to dispute the actions of a Health Inspector.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Be able to read and accurately interpret city, state, and federal codes and regulations.

Maintain necessary records and reports in a professional and objective manner.

Provide witness testimony and support in court proceedings as needed.

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Environmental problems or conditions that have the potential to threaten public health and safety.

Safe food preparation and handling practices.

Inspection techniques and methods.

Safe driving principles and practices

Familiarity and understanding of the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and the FDA Food Code.

Skill to:

Use chemical test kits, vector control equipment, thermometers, cameras, and related equipment.

Operate office equipment including computers and mobile devices.

Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to:                 

Learn and apply the principles and practices of environmental sanitation.

Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Effectively and tactfully manage situations with the public, business community, property owners, and culturally diverse groups.    

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Health Inspector III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Health Inspector I

Experience:

This is an entry level position. Previous experience conducting inspections is preferred. 

Education/Training:

An Associate’s Degree from a college or university with course work in public health, culinary arts, food science, life sciences, natural, and/or applied sciences is required.

A Bachelor’s degree and 30 hours of college-level course work in natural and applied science is preferred.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicator License in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Certified Pool & Spa Operator Certification in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Health Inspector II

Experience:

This is an intermediate level position. At least two (2) years of full-time experience in the fields of consumer health, environmental health, or sanitation is required.

Previous experience conducting inspections and interpreting local, state, and/or federal codes and regulations is preferred.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree and 30 hours of college-level course work in natural and applied science required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Certification as a Registered Sanitarian with the State of Texas is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicator License in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Certified Pool & Spa Operator Certification in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Health Inspector III

Experience:

This is a senior level position. At least five (5) years of full-time experience in the fields of consumer health, environmental health, or sanitation is required, with at least two (2) years as a Registered Sanitarian.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree and 30 hours of college-level course work in natural and applied science required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Certification as a Registered Sanitarian with the State of Texas is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicator License in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a Certified Pool & Spa Operator Certification in the State of Texas within twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

HazCom training and HIPAA Compliance training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.

Exposure to cold, extreme heat, noise, outdoors, glare, vibration, chemicals, allergens, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards.

Ability to travel to different work site locations.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___     Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___     Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_     Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___     Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___     Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N         =          No

E         =          Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M         =          Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I           =          Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A         =          Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_E_     Standing

_E_     Sitting

_E_     Walking

_M_    Lifting

_M_    Carrying

_ I_      Pushing/Pulling

_ I_      Overhead Work

_ I_      Fine Dexterity

_M_    Kneeling

_M_    Crouching

_ I_      Crawling

_M_    Bending

_M_    Twisting

_ I_      Climbing

_ I_      Balancing

_E_     Vision

_E_     Hearing

_E_     Talking

_  _     Other: