This is environmental health work at the advanced level, performing inspectional activities in a citywide environmental improvement program. Employees in this class act as lead workers, scheduling assignments for lower-level inspectional personnel and performing field checks to ensure quality and conformance to public health regulations and codes. Employees in the Vector specialty conduct inspections related to vector control, animal management, injury prevention, and sanitary conditions. Employees in the Childhood Lead specialty conduct inspections in tenant-occupied and vacant residential properties to ascertain the presence of lead hazards.
Contact with homeowners, tenants, and contractors to explain codes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to environment related health hazards is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior and contains some disagreeable aspects.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)VECTOR SPECIALTYALL SPECIALTIESAssigns inspectional personnel to inspect homes, businesses and surrounding areas for potential and existing health and safety hazards such as rat infestations and conditions which may cause falls or other accidents; schedules inspections in an assigned area of the city.
May investigate insect complaints and report on conditions found.
Conducts more difficult inspections to detect health hazards; inspects excavation sites and structures designated for demolition for the presence of rat infestation and harborages; investigates rat and nuisance animal complaints and reported cases of rat and other animal bites; inspects pet shops, horse stables and petting zoos; responds to complaints of sewage overflow and improper disposal of solid waste; conducts inspections of interstate vessel watering points; explains to property owners or contractors requirements for correction of violations; reports on conditions found.
Inspects family day care centers to determine approval for family day care license; checks sanitary conditions and hot water and refrigeration temperatures; ensures that first aid kits are on hand and electrical outlets have safety covers; makes recommendation for license approval/disapproval based on conditions found.
Collects dairy, food and water samples from establishments in accordance with applicable federal and state standards and methods; uses digital thermometer to check temperature of sample and dispensing machine; transports samples to laboratory for analysis.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTYPerforms the duties described below with English language speaking and designated non-English speaking populations.
CHILDHOOD LEAD SPECIALTYAssigns inspectional personnel to inspect homes, businesses and surrounding areas for potential and existing health and safety hazards such as the presence of lead-based paint on environmental surfaces and other lead hazards or conditions which may cause falls or other accidents; schedules inspections in an assigned area of the city.
Inspects vacant HUD and tenant-occupied properties for the presence of lead using an x-ray Fluorescence analyzer to ensure that EPA and HUD regulations and City codes are being met; records all areas being tested in the home and the lead level reading; may collect soil and dust samples.
Upon completion of lead abatement work, conducts follow-up inspections taking dust wipes from floors, window sills and window troughs which are sent to the lab to determine lead levels.
Explains relevant health codes to new personnel; instructs them in proper inspection and investigation techniques; demonstrates use of instruments used in on-site inspections; instructs staff and outside agencies in the appropriate techniques of collecting samples.
Meets with individuals or community groups to explain codes, regulations and standards pertaining to environmental related health hazards; explains strategies to prevent injuries.
Prepares and maintains a variety of reports and records; uses computer terminal or personal computer to enter and retrieve data; performs field checks of lower-level investigators; reviews daily inspection reports for completeness and accuracy; schedules re-inspections of health violations to ascertain degree of owner compliance; refers violations or health and safety problems identified to appropriate agency for further action as required.
Performs related work as required.
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade and possession of valid certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to apply pesticides under the Department of Public Health’s Pesticide Application Business License
ANDThree years of inspectional experience in an environmental health program, two of which have involved performing investigations in a Vector Control program.
ORAny equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department.
CHILDHOOD LEAD SPECIALTY EDUCATIONEducation equivalent to completion of twelfth school grade and possession of a state-issued certificate as a Risk-Assessor for lead-based paint.
ANDThree years of environmental health inspectional experience, two of which have involved performing investigations to determine the presence of lead-based paint.
ORAny equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTYSufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non-English language
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATESPossession of a current certificate as either a Certified Public Applicator or a Registered Pesticide Applicator from the Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within the time limits specified by the Department, if required by work assignment.
Possession of a current certificate from the Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in dairy sampling, if required by work assignment.
Possession of a current certificate as a Certified Lead Inspector by the State of Pennsylvania or EPA equivalent, if required by work assignment.
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Environmental Health Inspector, if required by work assignment.