DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for administering a county environmental health program and for overseeing technical work involving the application of the physical, biological and social sciences for the detection, evaluation, control and management of factors in the environment that influence health. The incumbent plans, develops, implements, and evaluates a variety of specialized environmental programs and provides oversight to environmental investigations. The incumbent frequently contacts a variety of professional and technical personnel as well as public officials to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, codes and policies. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Health Director with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out details of the work. Supervision is exercised over the work of subordinate staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Plans, develops, implements and evaluates a variety of environmental health programs, including all state mandated core programs and locally adopted programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards of public health and safety;

Promulgates policies and procedures that effect the efficient and facilitation of the county's environmental health programs;

Assigns, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of the subordinate staff;

Consults with professional and technical staff regarding activities related to their duties and responsibilities;

Develops and submits the Division budget and administers the approved budget;

Meets with other county departments/agencies regarding major policy and program management;

Consults with public officials and the general public regarding issues related to environmental health;

Performs environmental health field-work including on-site supervision, investigations, tests and diagnosing and resolving difficult problems;

Researches potential grant funding opportunities develops and/or participates in the preparation of grant applications and other funding proposals;

Attends training from the New York State Department of Health as required;

Prepares a variety of records and reports;

Reports orally and in writing to the Director of Public Health.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILIITES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of environmental health administration;

Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and sanitary codes;

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Good knowledge of natural science and mathematics;

Good knowledge of budget preparation and administration;

Working knowledge of public information and public relations techniques;

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of program plans and provision of services related to environmental health;

Ability to prepare budgets, operating reports and a variety of other reports relative to program activities;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;

Ability to understand and interpret complex oral instructions and/or written directions;

Ability to inspect for and detect environmental health problems and hazards;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to deal effectively with the public;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college or university or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in sanitary, environmental, chemical, civil or public health engineering, or a related field AND EITHER two (2) years of administrative and supervisory experience as a supervising engineer or supervising sanitarian OR five years of environmental health experience, including two years of supervisory responsibility that demonstrates that the candidate has the technical and administrative skills necessary to manage programs that can anticipate, recognize and respond to environmental health challenges; OR

B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college or university or one accredited by the NYS Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree or higher including a minimum of 30 credit hours in the natural sciences, of which not more than twelve (12) credit hours may be in the applied sciences, AND the experience described in (A) above.

NOTE: A master’s degree in public or environmental health or a related field that demonstrates the five core competencies of a public health education (Biostatistics, Environmental Health Services, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management and Social and Behavior Sciences) may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required environmental health experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license is required. Failure to maintain a NYS driver’s license including driving privileges throughout employment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Classification: Category 2