Sanitarian

Overview

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

This position may be filled in the following parishes:
Washington

Step into a leadership role that protects community health as a Sanitarian Parish Manager (Sanitarian
4). In this high-impact position, you’ll lead environmental health and consumer protection programs that directly safeguard the public, from retail food safety and onsite wastewater to institutional inspections and product recall response. You’ll supervise and mentor field staff, oversee inspections and investigations, and collaborate with regional and state partners to ensure compliance and public safety across multiple parishes. With meaningful statewide responsibilities and opportunities for hands‑on leadership, this role is ideal for a driven professional ready to make a visible difference in public health.

Possession of a current Louisiana Sanitarian's license plus one of the following:

• Three years of experience as a sanitarian; OR
• A master's degree in public health, food science, dairy science, environmental or sanitary science, or one of the physical or biological sciences plus two years of experience as a sanitarian.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Positions in the Molluscan Shellfish program require that applicants complete the Louisiana Boating Education program and be certified by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

• Supervise a generalized sanitarian program including planning, scheduling, and supervising the work of subordinate Sanitarians in parishes with at least one Sanitarian or in cases of a one‑man parish:
  Investigate complaints (in‑sanitary conditions and nuisances affecting the public health); periodic inspections of food handling establishments that serve the public; inspections of swimming pools, trailer parks, motels, public buildings, collection of food and water samples; review and approve plans on all new food handling establishments; assist building and plumbing contractors, public officials, parish agencies and other persons in preparing plans for individual sewerage disposal systems, approved plans for these systems and inspect systems when installation is completed;
  
  inspect food manufacturing plants and seafood plants, also work cooperatively with State Food and Drug Control consultants and other regional personnel.
• Plan, implement, and supervise the total operation of all programs in the Sanitarian Services section. Prepare the annual budget for that section; supervise and control all fiscal matters. Meet with public officials and parish agencies to discuss and promote Public Health programs and environmental problems and concerns.
• Conduct all official enforcement conferences relative to violations of the State Sanitary Code and enforce all regulations of the Code.
• Coordinate food handling classes for schools, nursing homes and restaurants. Plans and conducts staff meetings and educational programs to keep Sanitarian abreast of new developments in Environmental Health and Public Health.
• Conducts Emergency Response activities associated with natural and man‑made disasters. Performs related work as assigned, including scheduling, training activities for new personnel.

Location: Office of Public Health / Bureau of Sanitarian Services/ Washington Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary or a Promotional appointment

Cost Center:

Position Number(s):72226

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information…