Senior Sanitarian

Overview

Join our team as a Senior Sanitarian and play a critical role in protecting and promoting public health through environmental health investigation, education, and enforcement. This advanced-level position is ideal for an experienced, self-directed professional who thrives in both fieldwork and program development. Reporting to the Program Director, the Senior Sanitarian conducts complex inspections and investigations across a wide range of settings—from food establishments and childcare centers to hazardous materials and pollution control—ensuring compliance with public health regulations.

In addition to their technical expertise, Senior Sanitarians contribute to program planning and may provide supervision and mentorship to junior staff, serving as both subject matter expert and community liaison.

• Investigates by observing, sampling, testing, and reporting in areas such as hazardous materials, food protection, lead poisoning prevention, swimming pool and public bathing area sanitation, salons and tattoo/body piercing establishments, air pollution control, insect and rodent control, school and institutional sanitation, childcare centers, accident prevention, public health nuisance control, and other environmental factors that affect health.
• Conducts special surveys related to environmental health; prepares reports and recommendations concerning findings.
• Prepares reports, summaries, and provides recommendations concerning findings of investigations to correct conditions and practices that violate regulations.
• Drafts legal orders to correct conditions and practices that violate regulations and monitors the progress of corrective measures.
• Records test data and prepares reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
• Assists in Environmental Health program planning, development, and implementation. Provides information to improve and promote environmental health programs.
• Conducts educational activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of environmental health issues.
• Consults with local, state, and federal agencies involved in environmental health activities.
• Performs related work as required.

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in the Physical, Chemical, or Biological Sciences, Public Health, or Environmental Science.
• Plus a minimum of three years’ experience with investigation duties in environmental/public health.

• Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques in governmental public health, sanitary, and pollution regulations.
• Ability to develop a thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to public health, sanitation, and pollution control, and apply this knowledge in everyday job situations.
• Aptitude for continuous learning and professional development to stay current on evolving trends and best practices in environmental health.
• Knowledge of public health administration and organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, governmental and private agencies, the public, and other stakeholders, promoting collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to plan and execute work effectively, managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to effectively supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Self-motivation and a proactive approach to tasks, with adaptability and the ability to work independently under general supervision.
• Familiarity with relevant software and technology tools for recording and documenting findings, record-keeping, reporting, and communication.
• Ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure, especially in urgent situations or when addressing critical safety concerns.
• Ability to enforce regulations and to mediate related disputes with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment conducive to achieving common environmental…