Public Health Inspector

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off & Holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

State of Maine is seeking a Public Health Inspector I in Augusta. The role conducts on-site investigations and inspections to protect health, safety, and sanitary conditions in licensed facilities, with local coverage extending to several counties including Augusta and surrounding towns.

Responsibilities include coordinating with other agencies, reviewing license applications, enforcing health regulations, and providing education on program rules.

Qualifications

• Six-year combination of education and/or experience in public health, environmental or biological science, health education or a related field which includes two years of public health, biological or environmental science, or related experience.
• Obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification and Certified Pool Operation Certification after hire.

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, and make referrals to other agencies to protect public health and safety.
• Review and evaluate license applications including business plans and specifications.
• Resolve issues with compliance with health, safety, environmental, and sanitary rules and regulations.
• Provide technical expertise and education on all program rules and regulations.
• Assist with development of program rules and SOPs.
• Monitor correction of violations within a timeframe.
• Evaluate establishments for compliance with rules to issue licenses.
• Prioritize inspection and licensing decisions per SOPs.
• Recommend compliance closures and Imminent Health Hazard notices.
• Conduct special investigations into complaints and food/waterborne illnesses.

Skills

Public health

Environmental science

Communication

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Health Inspector I

Opening Date: October 29, 2025

Closing Date: November 12, 2025

Job Class Code: 7350

Grade: 22 (04)

Salary: $49,296.00 - $68,785.60 per year

Position Number: 02032-1862

Location: Augusta

Job Description:

In this position you will serve as a Public Health Inspector conducting on-site investigations and inspections for potential impact on health, safety, and sanitary conditions in restaurants, school kitchens, hospital cafeteria kitchens, youth camps, campgrounds, correctional facility kitchens, hotels, public pools and spas, body artists and other licensed establishments to determine compliance with program rules and reduce the protection of public health and safety. The Health Inspection Program has a current vacancy out of the Augusta DHHS office, which includes portions of Kennebec, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties, including the towns of Augusta, Boothbay Harbor, Chelsea, China, Damariscotta, Hallowell, Palermo, Pittston, Windsor and other adjacent towns.

You will also:

• Organize, coordinate, and make referrals to other agencies such as Liquor Licensing, Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Agriculture, and Marine Resources to protect public health and safety.
• Review and evaluate license applications including business plans and specifications.
• Resolve issues associated with compliance with health, safety, environmental, and sanitary rules and regulations.
• Provide technical expertise and education on all Program rules and regulations.
• Assist with the development of Program rules and standard operating procedures.
• Monitor the correction of violations within a timeframe.
• Evaluate establishments for compliance with rules to issue licenses.
• Prioritize the inspection of establishments, the issuance of licenses, and the response to complaints per the program’s standard operating procedures.
• Recommend compliance closures and determine when to issue Imminent Health Hazard notices.
• Conduct special investigations into complaints and food/waterborne illnesses.

Minimum Qualifications:

A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in public health, environmental or biological science, health education or a related field which includes two (2) years of public health, biological or environmental science, or related experience.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification and Certified Pool Operation Certification after hire.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Knowledge and experience with food safety, public health, and sanitation laws.
• Knowledge of techniques used in the field of public health inspections.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to conduct investigations and inspections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State’s population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well‑being of the citizens of Maine.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—“Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit– Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.