4J45
SANITARIAN SPECIALIST

This is environmental health work at the full performance level. Employees in this class function as lead technical sanitarians in an environmental health district, or for a specialized water quality program, or serve in a staff capacity in the central environmental health program office. Employees coordinate the activities of lower level sanitarians and perform complex environmen¬tal health inspections. Employees perform a variety of administrative and technical environmental health program assignments, and employees may rotate through central program office and district assignments. Employees perform inspections to identify hazards and examine conditions as the affect public health in such areas as milk and food control, institutional sanitation and safety, hazardous materials, solid waste handling and disposal practice, vector control, lead poisoning, water potability, and environmental health. Explaining and interpreting public health code regulations to business owners, institutional administrators and the general public is a significant aspect of the work.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.

• Positions must perform full performance level environmental health work.

BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Performs the duties described below with English language speaking and designated non-English speaking populations.

Assists supervisor in coordinating and reviewing the activities of lower level sanitarians and seasonal employees; participates in training new staff in all aspects of environmental health; reviews inspection reports completed by lower level sanitarians and recommends action for all cases of non-compliance; accompanies lower level sanitarians on complex inspections and investigations as needed; schedules and conducts reinspections as required; performs supervisory duties in the absence of the Sanitarian Supervisor.

Conducts comprehensive inspections and checks equipment, operating procedures and plans in nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions throughout the city, which include infectious waste handling and cross contamination control of infectious materials, food service, patient and secured housing areas; notes health violations such as unclean equipment and surroundings, improper storage of food or medical supplies, or the presence of rodents of other vectors; informs proper officials of the steps necessary to correct unsafe or unhealthful conditions; arranges for re-inspection of cited violations; coordinates inspectional and compliance activities with other governmental agencies.

Conducts foodborne disease investigations; obtains food histories; inspects facility for conformance to regulations; collects food samples for laboratory analysis; reviews and analyzes food handling procedures; prepares report on findings.

Reviews plans for new structures or renovations to existing structures housing food preparation, storage or serving facilities; checks plans for proper type, placement and installation of equipment and utilities, appropriate use of materials, and other areas as required by health code and departmental standards; explains code requirements to architects, builders and proprietors.

Conducts comprehensive inspections of facilities, as assigned, for presence of lead in potable water outlets; performs on-site testing of potable water outlets to determine levels of lead; devises sampling and investigative methods to determine type of lead contaminants in order to plan remediation; reviews alternate interim sources of drinking water supply for adherence to appropriate drinking water regulations; investigates discrepancies, irregularities and anomalies in testing data; oversees compliance with appropriate federal, state and local drinking water and public health regulations if required by work assignment.

Performs special studies and investigations of specific areas within an environmental health program as directed; prepares statistical, graphic and narrative reports of survey results.

Represents superiors in meetings and conferences; serves as liaison between environmental health program administration and officers of various federal and state public health agencies and local interest groups.

Communicates with establishment operators and public; explains violations and the methods needed to correct them based on the requirements of the City health code; provides information to the public regarding health problems or concerns.

Meets with business owners and institutional administrators to explain health code requirements; represents the City in environmental health related cases of a critical or sensitive nature; appears in court to give information on nature and extent of violations in litigated cases of non-compliance.

Prepares a variety of oral and computer-based reports.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the regulations applicable to environmental health
• the methods, principles and techniques of environmental health
• the objectives of public health regulatory activities
• the principles of public health engineering
• the methods and techniques of environmental health field inspections
• the basic principles of bacteriology and laboratory practices as related to the analysis of milk, food, and food products
• the federal, state and local regulations relating to lead in water systems
• the methods and techniques of inspecting potable water outlets
ABILITY TO:
• coordinate and review the inspectional work of lower level environmental health personnel
• read and interpret architectural plans, designs and specifications for technical feasibility
• enforce regulations with firmness and tact
• conduct and summarize all aspects of investigations
• maintain satisfactory relationships with operators of establishments inspected, associates and officers of other governmental health organizations
• use computers and learn software applications pertinent to job assignment
• prepare clear and concise reports and make sound recommendations
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• speak, read and write fluently in the designated non-English language and English language for the bilingual specialty

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in dairy or food technology, environmental, agricultural, life or physical science, or 30 semester hours in any combination of the above.

AND
EXPERIENCE: GENERAL SPECIALTY

One year of experience at the Sanitarian level, inspecting a variety of establishments for conformance to public health regulations and codes.

OR


Any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.

NOTE: Registration as a Sanitarian with the Commonwealth Board for Registration of Sanitarians or equivalent registration from another state or the National Environmental Health Association may be substituted for one year of experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Possession 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 if required by work assignment.

Possession of a current certificate as a Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if required by work assignment for the bilingual and general specialties, and within six months of appointment for the water quality specialty.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Common¬wealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Sanitarian Specialist.