Environmental Health Director

Vensure Employer Solutions; Hardin (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vensure Employer Solutions is seeking an Environmental Health Director to serve as the lead technical authority for environmental health, sanitation compliance, and regulatory protection in Big Horn County. The role emphasizes inspections, disease mitigation, emergency response, and subdivision reviews under statutory authority.

The candidate will bring expertise in microbiology and state environmental health laws, with licensure such as RS and NEHA REHS preferred, and will coordinate with DEQ

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health or related field.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) or eligible via reciprocity.
• REHS via NEHA preferred.
• 3–5+ years in environmental health inspection and enforcement.
• ServSafe Food Manager Instructor/Proctor certification or ability to obtain.
• Proof of immunity to designated infectious diseases and TB test clearance.
• Valid driver's license with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual quality health inspections and investigations for state-licensed facilities.
• Enforce sanitation laws and propose policies with local/state officials.
• Remain on-call 24/7 for public health emergencies and disease mitigation.
• Collaborate with DEQ and DPHHS; serve as expert witness in health violations.

Skills

Microbiology knowledge

Regulatory enforcement

Public health regulations

Epidemiological knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, or related field

Tools

ServSafe Food Manager Certification

GPS/GIS mapping tools

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.

This role places primary emphasis on technical expertise, regulatory enforcement, and statutory certification, requiring specialized knowledge in microbiology, sanitation codes, and state environmental health laws.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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). Technical Competencies & Working Conditions Technical Knowledge~ Microbiology, vector control, food safety codes, MCA statutory laws, GPS/GIS mapping tools. Field & Physical Demands~ Ability to work in outdoor conditions, hazardous environments, around animals, and in high-stress emergency situations.