ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Salary : $68,774.78 - $76,265.50 Annually
Location : Centennial II, Human Resources Department, 805 Central Avenue, Suite 200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, OH
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 26-02734 (O) EHS
Department: Health
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


General Statement of Duties


This employee inspects and evaluates sites that require Board of Health permits and licenses that are the responsibility of the Cincinnati Board of Health. They respond to complaints, referrals, and directives about unsanitary conditions by visually inspecting premises, issuing orders when necessary, advising violators, and enforcing orders not abated by initiating court procedures or other enforcement actions against those found in violation. The field investigations generate a majority of the activity performed by the environmental health staff. Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)
(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge of:
Microbiology
Available sources of information related to environmental health.
Human behavior.
Disease, injury causation and control techniques.
Safety policies and procedures, e.g. Employee Safety Instruction Manual and applicable agency requirements.

Skill to:
Drive a car.
Climb and work in difficult physical settings and terrain.
Lift heavy objects such as manhole covers.

Ability to:
Handle and relate with different people.
Organize time effectively.
Communicate both orally and in writing.
Work independent of others.
Interpret policy.

Required Education and Experience
Each applicant must possess and maintain a State of Ohio Registration as a Sanitarian issued by the State Board of Sanitarian Registration and must possess any one of the following three combinations of education and experience:

(A) Graduated from an accredited college or university with at least a baccalaureate degree, including at least forty-five quarter units or thirty semester units of science courses approved by the board; and completed at least two years of full-time employment as a Sanitarian;

(B) Graduated from an accredited college or university with at least a baccalaureate degree, completed a major in environmental health science which included an internship program approved by the board; and completed at least one year of full-time employment as a Sanitarian;

(C) Graduated from an accredited college or university with a degree higher than a baccalaureate degree, including at least forty-five quarter units or thirty semester units of science courses in the general areas of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, or math, and at least one year of full-time employment as a Sanitarian.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid Driver's License.
May be required to furnish own car on a mileage reimbursement basis.
Must be willing to work irregular hours.
Must be willing to work alone.

Working and Physical Conditions


Examples of Work Performed
(Illustrative only. Any one position within this classification may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all of the tasks which may be performed.)

Inspect licensed establishments requiring Cincinnati Board of Health permits or State licenses including food service operations, mobile and counter freezers, swimming pools, food and milk plants, day care centers, and other types of institutional facilities. Re-inspect code violators to ensure compliance with orders issued on environmental health conditions.
Initiate and process legal procedures against code violators as an enforcement technique including pre-prosecution hearings, filing of affidavits and warrants, and providing expert testimony in court.
Investigate complaints of unsanitary environmental conditions initiated by various sources, including citizen groups, the Board of Health, the City Manager, City Council, and various other sources received by phone or by letter concerning environmental health hazards according to applicable codes and standards or laws which apply to various areas such as lead poisoning, rats, roaches, weeds, pollution, and septic tanks.
Respond to inquiries and referrals from various and sundry sources such as citizens, council members, Board of Health members, department officials, and the City Manager regarding environmental health issues.
Educate citizens, business proprietors, civic organizations, neighborhood groups, other health professionals and groups.
Complete various forms, reports, and other paperwork as required by local, state, and federal regulations.
Assist in the review of plans and sketches submitted by licensed establishments and those requiring Board of Health approval for new construction or modification of a current structure.
Represent the Health Department at meetings with local, state,and federal agencies to coordinate efforts dealing with environmental health issues.
Serves on various committees and attend conferences and meetings as each relate to environmental health and the maintenance of sanitary conditions throughout the Cincinnati area, providing information and often receiving training on environmental health issues and new technology, when available.
Working knowledge of current safety policies, instructions for proper usage, and other procedures and professional practices required for completing job duties.
Identifies unsafe practices and conditions and brings such matters to the attention of the crew leader or supervisor.
Conduct special studies of environmental health situations as assigned or requested by supervision or other Health Department officials.
Probationary Period
Twelve months
Supervision Exercised
May generally direct the activities of Sanitarians-in-Training, Vector Control Inspectors, aides, interns, or student employees and youth workers.
The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible dependents include:

Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
Step-child
Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.
Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.


Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.


Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.
Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-timeemployees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.
Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.