Environmental Health Specialist; Bloomington

Environmental Health Specialist (City of Bloomington)

Position

Description:


PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
To perform inspections, investigations, education, and compliance work in the field of Environmental Health and to protect public health through enforcement of municipal and state codes. Applicable program areas include nuisance and zoning code inspections; rental housing inspections; and food, pool, and lodging establishment inspections.

Example of Duties:

• Perform inspections/investigations in a wide variety of facilities or settings to determine conformance with federal, state, and City codes; applicable program areas include: food safety assurance; rental housing; property maintenance; nuisance control; zoning code enforcement; wells; food and water-borne illness investigation; lodging sanitation; swimming pool safety and sanitation; manufactured home parks and recreational camping areas; noise; lead; unsafe living conditions; vector control;
  
  tanning and massage; body art; radon; laundromats; emergency response (i.e., spills, fires); and special events
• Inspect and obtain compliance in the Environmental Health Division’s programs
• Prepare inspections reports, issue written orders for violations and maintain records on violations and corrective actions
• Apply relevant codes to respective environmental health disciplines to ensure compliance
• Perform routine or specialized inspections when assigned
• Assist with food establishment plan reviews and on-site construction inspections to ensure compliance with approved plans
• Conduct food and water-borne illness investigations at licensed establishments
• Prepare and disseminate environmental health reports
• Assist in legal proceedings by preparing and providing pertinent information
• Interact with City staff of other departments and divisions to provide effective training and compliance with regulations
• Communicate matters that are important to the City’s interest and the public’s health, safety, and welfare to the supervisor and manager
• Research and conduct education programs on environmental health topics, for example food safety, radon, or lead awareness
• Assist in training employees
• Maintain credentials necessary for program areas
• Provide subject matter expertise as requested
• Assist in maintaining computer programs/software
• Conduct nuisance complaint investigations
• Assist in responding, investigating, and resolving

Position Requirements:

• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills
• Long and short-term goals are developed and met
• Work is completed on schedule
• Works effectively with team members and maintains effective working relationship with supervisor and manager
• Exercise good judgment in evaluating environmental health issues and proposing alternatives for conflict resolution
• Promptly identify and effect correction of violations
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable federal, state and City regulations
• Reports and written communication are clear and accurate
• Effective oral communication
• Public communication is respectful and done in a professional manner
• Keeps up to date and complies with administrative policies and procedures
• Improves and updates environmental health knowledge and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Biological or Physical Sciences, Public Health or closely related field
• Minnesota Department of Health or NEHA registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian or eligible to be registered within one year
• Valid driver’s license

• Master’s degree in one of the above fields
• Depending on specific needs of the Environmental Health Division at the time a position is open, specific experience in food, lodging and pool safety assurance, rental housing inspection, zoning code enforcement, nuisance control, property maintenance code enforcement or food establishment plan review
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office, inspection, and geographic information software (GIS)
• Ability to speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Cambodian, etc.)