Public health sanitarians administer and monitor the state program activities for the Food Pools and Lodging section in an assigned region. You will manage a caseload of licensed establishments by monitoring compliance with applicable rule and statute and communicating survey results to resolve compliance deviations at businesses to protect public health. You will conduct inspections, collect, and analyze data, and write summary reports for clients. Technical assistance is provided to clients to assist with gaining compliance. The position also investigates reports of non-compliant operations.
*This position may require occasionally working longer days to accommodate long-distance travel and the client’s schedule.
This vacancy is being posted at both the Public Health Sanitarian 1 and Public Health Sanitarian 2 levels. The level at which the position will be filled will be based on the successful candidate's qualifications.
Minimum Qualifications
Public Health Sanitarian 1 Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a registration as an Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS Certification) OR the ability to obtain within two years of hire.
Candidates may be hired on a provisional basis, without a current or renewable REHS/RS credential with evidence of:
A bachelor's degree OR a degree-in-progress in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field which includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in the physical or biological sciences.
Public Health Sanitarian 2 Minimum Qualifications:
Two (2) years of experience working as an environmental health specialist or sanitarian and the ability to obtain an REHS/RS certification within two years of hire.
OR
Possession of a master's degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field and eighteen (18) months of experience working as an environmental health specialist or sanitarian and the ability to obtain an REHS/RS certification within two years of hire.
To become credentialed in Minnesota as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS), a candidate may apply to sit for the NEHA computer-based REHS/RS exam, taken at an approved Pearson VUE testing location, OR apply for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity (when currently registered by NEHA or registered in another state as an REHS/RS).
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge in the following areas:
Public health: environmental science, epidemiology, biology, chemistry, geology, hydrogeology and working knowledge of the procedures for investigating waterborne illnesses.
Legal evidence guidelines, with strict attention to detail in completing forms, following procedures and documenting work.
Federal and state statutes, rules, and standards, including retail food, public pools, lodging, manufactured home parks/recreational camping areas, youth camps, on-site sewage disposal systems, water wells, public non-community water supplies and plumbing.
Experience in the following areas:
Working in an environmental or public health program, which includes the inspection of public water supplies and/or food beverage and lodging establishments.
Adaptive communication methods to match specific conditions and personalities; conflict resolution skills to resolve contentious situations.
Written and verbal communication skills to provide clear, concise, and accurate to provide information, answer questions, or emphasize critical issue.
Physical Requirements
Walk on even/uneven or sloping ground, including snow covered ground.
Work outdoors in all seasons, with outside/inside exposure to weather extremes.
Perform gross and fine motor tasks, sometimes in varying indoor/outdoor temperature extremes.
Frequently lift from ground to waist height, and from waist to shoulder height.
Read documents, maps, gauges, equipment manuals, etc.
Lift as much as 40 pounds of equipment or samples.
Participate in training and meetings using video conference, conference calls and other types of remote communication, using a laptop computer and cell phone in the field.
Additional Requirements
Must successfully pass a background check and reference check.
Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.
