Environmental Health Director

Lever, Inc.; Hardin (MT); On-site; USD 58,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Lever, Inc. seeks an Environmental Health Director to lead sanitary compliance and regulatory protection in Big Horn County, MT. The role oversees investigations, inspections, disease mitigation, disaster response, and subdivision reviews.

Qualified candidates will hold an RS license (or reciprocity), have 3–5+ years in environmental health, and may hold REHS by NEHA. ServSafe certification or ability to obtain is required. A valid MT driver’s license is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, or related physical science.
• RS license required or immediate eligibility via reciprocity.
• REHS via NEHA preferred; ServSafe certification helpful.

Responsibilities

• Inspections, compliance, and regulatory enforcement for state-licensed facilities across the county.
• On-call public health emergency management and rapid epidemiological response.
• Vector/animal control, rabies testing, and ServSafe Food Manager instruction/proctoring.

Skills

Public health

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health/Biology/Microbiology

Registered Sanitarian (RS) License

Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) via NEHA (preferred)

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW The Environmental Health Director serves as the lead technical authority for environmental health, sanitation compliance, and regulatory protection in Big Horn County. Operating under statutory authority delegated by the Health Officer and Board of Health, this position leads public health investigations, facility inspections, disease mitigation, emergency disaster response, and subdivision reviews.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS

1. Inspections, Compliance & Regulatory Enforcement (Core Priority) Conduct annual quality health inspections and complaint investigations for state-licensed facilities across the county. Enforce compliance with local, state, and federal sanitation laws (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act). Propose, implement, and monitor public and environmental health policies with local and state officials. Serve as an expert witness in legal or court proceedings involving public health violations.

2. Public Health Emergency Management & On-Call Response Remain on-call 24/7 for public health emergencies, food contamination events, and truck wrecks involving hazardous materials or food products. Execute rapid emergency response within a 1 to 1.5-hour window. Direct epidemiological investigations, disaster mitigation, and item seizures under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

3. Vector & Animal Control / Community Safety Manage animal bite reports, animal tracking, quarantines, and rabies testing/investigations. Proctored community training: Certified to teach and proctor ServSafe Food Manager courses.

4. Inter-Agency Collaboration & Planning Board Represent the Health Department on the Big Horn County Planning Board, evaluating subdivisions, boundary line relocations, and land-use proposals. Act as primary liaison to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENT PROFILE Minimum & Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related physical science. Licensing (Mandatory): Registered Sanitarian (RS) License issued by the State of Montana (or immediate eligibility via reciprocity). Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) via NEHA preferred. Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5+ years of direct experience in environmental health inspection and enforcement. Certifications & Health: ServSafe Food Manager Instructor/Proctor certification (or ability to obtain). Proof of immunity to designated infectious diseases and current TB test clearance. Driver's License: Valid Driver's License with no major moving violations in the last 5 years (Insurable record).

$58,450 - $83,254 a year