Environmental Health Sanitarian

McDonough County Health Department
Job Description

Division: Environmental Health

Job Title: Sanitarian

Reports To: Environmental Health Director

Salary Level: w/o LEHP; w/ LEHP

Provide health protection services to the public in environmental health, communicable disease, and public health preparedness programs including but not limited to food sanitation, potable water, sewage disposal, vector control, solid waste, toxic and hazardous substances, indoor air, indoor tanning, body art, housing, facility sanitation, public health emergency preparedness, tobacco enforcement and nuisances.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Arranges and schedules meetings and appointments with clients. Refers appropriate complaints to other agencies. Answers the telephone and provides the public with information or takes messages for other staff in EH. Inspects facilities and/or systems in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and/or ordinances. Discusses findings with facility manager/owner/representative; recommends corrective measures. Performs follow-up inspections to ensure correction of deficiencies. Assists with formal and informal compliance meetings.

Reviews plans for new or extensively remodeled facilities/systems for adherence to applicable rules, regulations, codes and/or ordinances. Recommends issuance of variances to Director. Performs inspections to assure implementation of plans. Investigates complaints involving possible sanitary violations or nuisance conditions; offers advice on solutions; makes follow-up inspections to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and/or ordinances. Makes referrals to other agencies as appropriate.

Assists with surveillance and control programs to identify and record instances of illness, to detect sources of contamination, establish factors that contribute to outbreaks, and recommend prevention and control measures. Takes appropriate action to prevent the spread of disease. Participates in epidemiological surveys including, but not limited to, foodborne, waterborne, and vector borne disease outbreaks. Completes activity reports and records of inspection and investigation.

Prepares various types of draft correspondence to achieve compliance and documents for legal action. Enters data into appropriate EH database. Files documents and records. Collects required environmental samples under prescribed methods; performs field tests. Prepares and provides educational presentations for programs or workshops for schools, community, and target groups. Teaches food sanitation certification classes (8 hours). Proctors food sanitation certification paper and online exams.

Responds to requests for general information regarding environmental health issues, laws, local ordinances, rules, and regulations; offers guidance on sanitation practices and principles; refers to other agencies as appropriate. Attends meetings and trainings as required. Serves on committees within the MCHD as well as outside the MCHD as assigned. Participates in related training programs as directed, completing courses, workshops, seminars, and other training to keep abreast of environmental health issues and concepts.

Develops and works on other projects as assigned. (Examples: develops fact sheets on environmental health topics; participates in training and execution of emergency preparedness activities and events). Works in conjunction with McDonough County Health Department staff on emergency response plans and procedures. Assists with development of operational drills and/or exercise scenarios designed to train, test, and evaluate emergency response concepts or standard operating guidelines.

Responds to public health emergencies as required by the department or division administration.

• Provides SFIA education to the community and businesses.
• Conducts SFIA inspections and enforcement.
• Follows up on SFIA complaints.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, dust and fumes, insect and rodent infestation, human or animal excrement. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor's degree in environmental health or related field with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in physical or…