Director of Environmental Health
15 days ago
Auburn
Job Description DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for planning, directing, and administering the environmental health programs and performance of environmental duties of the Cayuga County Health Department. The work is of an environmental health nature involving responsibilities of an exceptionally high order. The work entails administration, management, and direction of the environmental health division of the County Health Department; advising local officials and the general public in regard to environmental health problems and the measures necessary for improvements and compliance with legal requirements; providing leadership in promotion of public health through application of environmental health practices; enforcement of the provisions of local and state Public Health Laws, State and County regulations, and Sanitary Codes in relation to environmental health matters. General direction is received from the Cayuga County Director of Public Health or Deputy Director of Health Services who reviews the work for accomplishment and adherence to departmental policy, with leeway involved for exercise of independent judgement in carrying out details of the work. Supervision and direction is exercised over the work of subordinate technical and professional employees that may include Engineers, Sanitarians, Technicians, and Assistants as well as clerical employees. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only) Plans, develops, directs and administers the environmental health programs and supervises the work of subordinate staff; Prepares budget for and evaluates environmental health programs; Directs compliance with the provisions of the Public Health Law, Local Laws, State Sanitary Code, County Sanitary Code, and Watershed Rules and Regulations relating to indoor and outdoor air quality, environmental exposures, public water supplies, sewerage and waste disposal, operation of water treatment plants, operation of swimming pools, bathing beaches, mobile home parks, camps, hotels, motels, migrant labor housing, children’s camps, tanning salons, restaurants, and institutional food establishments, approval of realty subdivisions, tobacco, water quality, lead poisoning prevention, public health nuisances and related matters; Directs rabies control programs and activities; Analyzes bulletins, regulations, and scientific reports, and other informational material regarding new developments in environmental science in order to initiate and execute necessary changes and adaptations; Prepares public information and speaks to government officials, the public, and professional organizations regarding environmental health and environmental engineering issues and concerns. May speak with news media in coordination with department protocol; Investigates, studies, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of environmental problems in order to apply engineering knowledge to develop solutions; Responds to environmental emergencies such as toxic spills, floods, loss of water supply, and other problems, and organizes staff to cope with indicated needs; Interprets the results of laboratory examinations of water, sewage, soil, leachate, dust, paint; May interpret results of laboratory examinations of air, mold or other samples; Utilizes support from New York State Department of Health for engineering and technical support as may be needed; Directs Board of Health hearings on behalf of department for violations of environmental health laws and regulations, Researches, prepares, revises, and evaluates technical reports, studies, and environmental assessments and plans including recommendations on environmental health; Participates in community-based environmental health related organizations, i.e. water qualify; Directs and organizes staff to make environmental health investigations of outbreaks of disease; Represents the Health Department on all matters and problems related to environmental health; Serves as a liaison and maintains relationships with local, state, federal and other recognized agencies concerning environmental problems and issues; Formulates environmental health policies; Researches, reviews, and prepares reports on federal, state, and local polices, rules and regulations involving current technical environmental matters; Significantly contributes to the preparation of local laws and rules and regulations applicable to environmental health and water quality; Supervises, prepares, and assists in the preparation of grant applications for state and federal funds regarding environmental health; Participates in public health preparedness activities as trained and assigned; Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities; Prepares training classes for wastewater treatment system inspectors; Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities. If Individual has a Professional Engineering License the following duties as well: Reviews engineering plans and reports for remedial clean-up projects involving ground water pollution, construction of water treatment plants and components, realty subdivision proposals, and wastewater treatment systems for compliance with applicable standards; Researches, prepares, revises, and evaluates technical reports, studies and environmental assessments and plans including recommendations on environmental health and environmental engineering problems. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of environmental health programs; Comprehensive knowledge of provisions of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations related to the environment and environmental health; Good knowledge of the practices and techniques of administrative supervision of environmental health programs; Good knowledge of principles and practices of modern administrative techniques and procedures including budget preparation and administration; Ability to plan, develop, direct, and administer environmental health programs and to project and integrate these into the departmental programs; Ability to read engineering blueprints and sketches; Ability to read and interpret complex written material, state laws and departmental regulations pertaining to environmental health; FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: (continued) Ability to prepare technical reports and correspondence; Ability to deal with public, local officials, and difficult people; Ability to develop and maintain good public relations; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.; Ability to work independently within the scope of general direction; Initiative and resourcefulness in solving complex public health problems. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A. Possession of 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 years of the required environmental health experience; OR Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university in sanitary, environmental, chemical, civil or public health engineering or a related engineering field AND at least two years of full-time paid administration and supervisory experience as supervising public health engineer or supervising public health sanitarian OR five years of full-time paid 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. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with thirty (30) credit hours in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry or physics that deals with the objects, phenomena, or laws of nature and the physical world), of which not more than twelve (12) credit hours maybe in the applied sciences (science based courses in environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food science) AND at least two years of full time paid administrative and supervisory experience as a supervising public health engineer or supervising public health sanitarian OR five years of full-time paid 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 C. Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that specified in (A) and (B) 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 Behavioral Sciences) may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required environmental health experience (not supervisory). Possession of a valid New York State licensure of Professional Engineer (PE) may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required environmental health experience (not supervisory). SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The successful candidate must possess a valid NYS driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain such license continuously for the duration of employment. Appointees must satisfactorily complete the New York State Department of Health sponsored Basic Environmental Health Program or applicable portions as directed by the Public Health Director within one year of appointment or as soon as feasible.