Environmental Health Specialist or Sanitarian in Training

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallatin County is seeking a registered sanitarian or sanitarian‑in‑training to perform environmental health inspections, investigations, and reviews in areas such as wastewater systems, restaurants, and pools. The role involves fieldwork, plan reviews, and community guidance under supervision of the Land Program Manager.

Primary duties include inspections of facilities, ensuring compliance with local/state/federal regs, and handling citizen inquiries.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of grammar and spelling; proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, multitask, and follow instructions.
• Experience or training in environmental health or related field.
• Must possess self-initiative and ability to work in a team; professional customer service standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct environmental health inspections, investigations, and plan reviews in assigned areas.
• Review licenses, plans and permits for compliance with regulations.
• Investigate complaints and recommend corrective or enforcement actions; document findings.
• Provide technical and regulatory assistance to the community as needed.

Skills

Data entry

Written communication

Verbal communication

Customer service

Time management

Teamwork

Self-initiative

Education

Montana State Board of Sanitarians registration

Tools

ArcGIS

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

This position is located in the Environmental Health office of the Gallatin City-County Health Department (department). The registered sanitarian or sanitarian in training in this position conducts environmental health inspections, investigations and reviews of community settings in areas such as wastewater treatment systems, Sanitation in Subdivision Act reviews, restaurants, hotels, swimming pools, childcare facilities, etc. The sanitarian reviews applications in assigned area under general direction and ensures compliance with applicable regulations, and prepares correspondences. They also investigate disease outbreaks and citizen concerns related to public health nuisances and emergencies, applies innovation, and seeks opportunities for improvement. Periodic overnight travel is required for attendance of meetings and trainings, and for seasonal inspections throughout Gallatin County. A program manager provides day‑to‑day guidance and technical assistance as needed. Position reports directly to the Land Program Manager and does not supervise other employees.

This position will primarily be responsible for duties within the Licensed Establishment Program including routine inspections of facilities including retail and wholesale food, pools, spas, public accommodations, body art, etc., as well as reviewing plans for new establishments.

Each duty listed below makes up at least 80% of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated.

Environmental Public Health Inspections and Application Reviews

1. Schedules and conducts field inspections in assigned program area to determine compliance with state and local regulations.
2. Reviews, evaluates, and approves documents, licenses, plans and permits for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in a timely and effective manner.
3. Performs investigations of complaints as assigned. Recommends appropriate corrective action or enforcement action based on nature and severity of identified violations. Maintains accurate and up to date documentation of violations and corrective actions in appropriate database in a timely, accurate, and factual manner. Consistently conducts follow‑up with inspection or other means to ensure corrective actions are implemented. Provides education and guidance in correcting area of nonconformity.
4. Provides technical and regulatory assistance to the community as needed in response to regulatory questions or complaints related to a broad range of environmental health conditions.

Technical Support and Program Planning

1. Participates and provides input regarding established policies and procedures, local and state regulations.
2. Communicates and coordinates regularly with EHS Director, Program Manager and others. Accurately informs of work progress including potential concerns and suggestions in order to address problems in a timely and efficient manner.
3. Follows established practices in assigned work area, and seeks innovation and initiates opportunities for improvement.

Other Duties as Assigned

1. Perform a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes coordinating special projects, system analysis, attending meetings and special events, and attending continuing education and training as required.
2. If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatened disaster such as an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.

This work requires computer and data entry skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and specialized programs such as ArcGIS); knowledge of data and records management; excellent skills in grammar and spelling; proficient written and verbal communication skills; ability to prioritize tasks according to deadlines, work independently and follow instructions; ability to multitask and seek appropriate guidance when needed. This position requires increasing experience working in environmental health or closely related field. Must possess self‑initiative but be able to work as part of a team. Position also requires customer services standards with a high‑level of skill in dealing with the public including anticipating customer needs, responding in a timely manner, taking responsibility for handling complaints, being professional, and showing respect for each customer; sometimes under stressful situations and must be able to perform highly detailed work with constant interruptions and concurrent tasks.

Current or working towards registration and licensing form the Montana State Board of Sanitarians. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience in the practice of environmental health and the combination of experience and training with two or more years of specific abilities necessary to perform the work.

Public Health Tier: 1 – Frontline employee

A. Organizational Competencies

1. Continuous Quality Improvement – Actively participates, accepts, and engages in the pursuit of departmental and programmatic improvement in everyday activities as well quality improvement projects independently and as instructed by supervisor.
2. Inclusion – Effectively interacts with all clients, customers, partners, and co‑workers with conscious regard for equality, equity, cultural sensitivity, and respect.
3. Team Building – Works effectively with other employees, maintains a positive attitude and contributes to the overall success of the department.
4. Communication – Communicates openly and honestly. Is willing to share information and ideas. Helps to define goals and objectives. Is cordial in dealing with others.
5. Reliability – Is dependable and completes assignments on time and within established quality standards. Arrives at work on time and is ready to perform their duties.
6. Organization – Manages workload effectively and is able to prioritize assignments appropriately as well as to plan for future demands.
7. Integrity – Is honest and trustworthy in dealing with others and providing value as a public servant.
8. Motivation – Strives for excellence seeks growth as an employee and maintains an interest in continuous improvement.
9. Productivity – Maintains a workload that is at or above acceptable standards for his/her position and delivers work products of good quality.
10. Purpose – Works towards achieving the department’s Mission and Vision through the conscious consideration and utilization of the guiding principles as detailed within the current Strategic Plan.

B. Job Specific Competencies

Descriptions of each competency can be found at http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/Pages/Competency_Assessments_For_Public_Health_Professionals.aspx.

1. Data Analytics and Assessment Skills1.2. Accesses existing quantitative and qualitative data. 1.3. Collects quantitative and qualitative data. 1.5. Manages quantitative and qualitative data. 1.6. Uses quantitative and qualitative data. 2. Policy Development and Program Planning Skills 2.2. Implements policies, programs and services. 2.6. Engages in organizational strategic planning. 3. Communication Skills 3.2. Communicates with internal and external audiences. 3.3. Responds to information, misinformation and disinformation. 3.4. Facilitates communication among individuals, groups and organizations. 4. Health Equity Skills 4.1. Applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. 4.2. Recognizes the diversity of individuals and populations. 4.5. Implements organizational policies, programs and services to achieve health equity and social and environmental justice. 5. Community Partnership Skills 5.1. Describes conditions, systems and policies affecting community health and resilience. 5.3. Maintains relationships that improve community health and resilience. 6. Public Health Science Skills 6.3. Uses evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating and improving policies, programs and services. 7. Management and Finance Skills 7.4. Engages in professional development. 7.10. Applies critical thinking in decision making. 7.11. Engages individuals and teams to achieve program and organizational goals. 7.12. Facilitates collaboration among individuals, groups and organizations. 8. Leadership and System Thinking Skills. 8.1. Creates opportunities to achieve cross-sector alignment. 8.5. Responds to emerging needs.

COMPENSATION:

• Sanitarian-In-Training (non-exempt position): $31.09 - $34.32 per hour, DOE + Excellent Benefits
• Licensed Registered Sanitarian (exempt position): $34.26 - $37.84 per hour, DOE + Excellent Benefits

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a criminal and driving background check.

Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.