Senior Sanitarian

Introduction

Join our team as a Senior Sanitarian and play a critical role in protecting and promoting public health through environmental health investigation, education, and enforcement. This advanced-level position is ideal for an experienced, self-directed professional who thrives in both fieldwork and program development. Reporting to the Program Director, the Senior Sanitarian conducts complex inspections and investigations across a wide range of settings-from food establishments and childcare centers to hazardous materials and pollution control-ensuring compliance with public health regulations. In addition to their technical expertise, Senior Sanitarians contribute to program planning and may provide supervision and mentorship to junior staff, serving as both subject matter expert and community liaison.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS


This is an advanced technical position pertaining to the investigational and educational activities of Environmental Health. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Program Director and is required to act independently. May at times serve as a working supervisor overseeing the work of Sanitarians.


Senior Sanitarians conduct comprehensive investigations across various environmental health domains, such as hazardous materials, food protection, daycare centers, and pollution/vector control. They assess factors that impact public health and well-being, providing recommendations and if necessary, drafting corrective orders.


Additionally, the Senior Sanitarians play a pivotal role in program planning and implementation, contributing expertise to improve and promote environmental health initiatives. They serve as vital liaisons, consulting with stakeholders interested in environmental health activities. Work is performed within existing laws, ordinances, policies, and regulations.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Investigates by observing, sampling, testing, and reporting in areas such as:


o Hazardous materials
o Food Protection
o Lead poisoning prevention
o Swimming pool and public bathing area sanitation
o Salons and Tattoo/Body Piercing Establishments
o Air pollution control
o Insect and rodent control
o School and institutional sanitation
o Childcare Centers
o Accident Prevention
o Public health nuisance control
...and other factors of the environment that cause or have deleterious effect upon the health and well-being of the public.

• Conducts special surveys related to environmental health; prepares reports and recommendations concerning findings.
• Prepares reports, summaries, and provides recommendations concerning findings of investigations necessary to correct conditions and practices that violate regulations.
• Drafts legal orders to correct conditions and practices that violate regulations and monitors the progress of corrective measures.
• Records test data and prepares reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
• Assists in Environmental Health program planning, development, and implementation. Provides information to improve and promote environmental health programs.
• Conducts educational activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of environmental health issues.
• Consults with various local, state, and federal agencies involved in environmental health activities.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in the Physical, Chemical, or Biological Sciences, Public Health, or Environmental Science;
• Plus a minimum of three years' experience with investigation duties in environmental/public health.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques in governmental public health, sanitary, and pollution regulations.
• Ability to develop a thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to public health, sanitation, and pollution control, and ability to apply this knowledge in everyday job situations.
• Aptitude for continuous learning and professional development to stay current on evolving trends and best practices in environmental health.
• Knowledge of public health administration and organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, governmental and private agencies, the public, and other stakeholders, promoting collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to plan and execute work effectively, managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to effectively supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Self-motivation and a demonstrated willingness to take direction, showing adaptability and a proactive approach to tasks.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision.
• Familiarity with relevant software and technology tools for recording and documenting findings, record-keeping, reporting, and communication.
• Ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure, especially in urgent situations or when addressing critical safety concerns.
• Ability to enforce regulations and to mediate related disputes with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment conducive to achieving common environmental health goals.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must, possess and maintain full certification as a Certified Food Inspector by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Food Protection Program. This includes the successful completion of the field standardization component of the training.
• Must possess and maintain Lead Poisoning Inspector / Risk Assessor Certification from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.
• Must obtain Phase I Subsurface Sewage Disposal Certification from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health within twelve (12) months from the date of employment.
• Must possess or obtain licensure as a Connecticut Registered Sanitarian within the first 90 working days.
• Must obtain and maintain any additional licensure and certifications as required by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.
• This job may require on-call and after-hours coverage (nights and weekends) for meetings, events, emergency response or other duties assigned to this individual in addition to their regular job duties

This position is aligned with current Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals published by the Council of Linkages between Academia and Public Health Practice.


Analytical/Assessment Skills
• Working knowledge of assessing individual and community health needs.
• Ability to collect reliable data and analyze.


Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate health education strategies, interventions and programs.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of all prevention and promotion programs and outreach efforts.
• Good knowledge of the complexity of Connecticut State / City of New Haven laws and regulations, monitor them for changes and have the ability to independently adapt to changes.


Communication Skills
• Good working knowledge of the appropriate use of technology in health prevention and promotion and ability to independently adapt to the fast-changing landscape of technology.


Cultural Competency
• Ability to learn about and work with all cultures, ethnicity, social economic statuses being respectful and non-judgmental.


Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
• Ability to facilitate/coordinate community stakeholder groups.
• Ability to present, understand and relay all points of view on issues.


Public Health Sciences Skills
• Good knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology of public health and chronic disease epidemiology.
• Good knowledge of disease prevention and health promotion programs.
• Working knowledge of communicable diseases, diagnoses, spread containment and treatment options.


Leadership and systems Thinking Skills
• Demonstrate leadership and management skills.
• Ability to independently manage projects while providing supervisory / oversight to diverse groups of community members.


SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a " General Fund ," tested position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 884, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

General Funded hires into this class shall not be covered by Social Security but rather the City pension, contributing 9% of salary.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) an pre-employment background check , (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy ** , and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

**Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.


Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.


Conclusion


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