Director of Environmental Health; Program

Environmental Engineer

Salary:
Commensurate with experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York Registered college or university with a Bachelor's degree in environmental, chemical, civil, public health or related engineering, and 4 years of experience in an engineering discipline; AND Possession of a valid New York State professional engineering license.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of an appropriate level NYS Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for planning, directing, and administering the environmental health programs and performance of environmental engineering duties of the Cayuga County Health Department. The work is of a professional environmental engineering and 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 involving environmental engineering practices 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 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 includes Public Health Engineers, Sanitarians, Technicians, and Assistants as well as clerical employees.

Does related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of environmental engineering and 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 and interpret engineering blueprints and sketches;
• Ability to read and interpret complex written material, state laws and departmental regulations pertaining to environmental engineering and environmental health;
• 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;
• Skill in environmental engineering techniques and practices;
• Initiative and resourcefulness in solving complex public health problems.

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 and engineering in order to initiate and execute necessary changes and adaptations;
• Prepares public information and speaks to news media, government officials, the public, and professional organizations regarding environmental health and environmental engineering issues and concerns;
• 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…