Public Health Inspector, Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention

City of New York; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking public health department, where you will play a crucial role in safeguarding community health. As a Public Health Inspector, you will conduct vital investigations into environmental and foodborne illness issues across the city. Your expertise will help identify and mitigate health hazards, ensuring compliance with health regulations. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to public health initiatives while enjoying unmatched benefits, job security, and the chance to work with a diverse team committed to making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Embrace the challenge and become part of a legacy of public health excellence.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Premium-free health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Tax-deferred savings program

Worksite Wellness Program

Work From Home Policy

Job Security

Qualifications

• Certification in food service inspections with field experience required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations for environmental and foodborne illness complaints.
• Perform inspections and enforce public health regulations.
• Advise property owners on compliance with health codes.

Skills

Food service establishment inspections

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Multi-tasking

Client interaction

Flexible working hours

Education

Baccalaureate degree in physical/biological sciences

Associate degree with experience

Job description

DIVISION:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance, and enforcement. With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health, and pest control.

PROGRAM:
The mission of the Office of Environmental Investigations (OEI) is to prevent illness and injury related to environmental and occupational exposures. OEI responds to public complaints, conducts investigations, exposure assessments, and performs risk communication for occupational and environmental incidents, outbreaks, and other emerging health issues. We work collaboratively with other programs and agencies to deliver these services and provide support for them regarding environmental health.

OB DESCRIPTION:
The Public Health Inspector will directly report to a Supervising Associate Public Health Sanitarian/Senior Inspector in the program, and will perform environmental, foodborne illness, and contaminated consumer product site investigations in all 5 boroughs of New York City.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties will include but not limited to:

1. Conduct phone interviews and consultations with clients and owners/operators for an environmental, food poisoning and contaminated consumer product programs.
2. Perform environmental, suspected food poisoning, and contaminated consumer product site investigations including visual inspection(s); review and independent evaluation of records and documents; and environmental monitoring and sample collection in accordance with established protocols and procedures.
3. Correctly identifies hazardous conditions.
4. Take necessary enforcement actions to eliminate public health hazards and protect public in adherence with Codes, Regulations and current protocols and instructions.
5. Instruct and advises property/business owners/operators as to actions directed to compliance with Codes and Regulations.
6. Testify at Office of Trials and Hearings, and other courts when required.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Candidates must be fully trained and certified in food service establishment inspections with at least six month of independent field work and possess a valid NYS driver’s license.
- Excellent written, verbal, inter-personal skills.
- Strong computer skills, strong analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to interact with clients and stakeholders in different social environments.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends.

Why you should work for us:
- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/).
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN - 31215

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 30 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, i.e., biology, botany, chemistry, geology, physics, physiology, and zoology; of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, i.e., environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food service; or

2. An associate degree from an accredited college, with 15 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, of which not more than 6 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and 5 years of experience as a public health technician assisting sanitarians and engineers in carrying out the various elements of prevention and control programs affecting the public’s health.

Medical Requirement: Medical guidelines have been established for the position of Public Health Sanitarian. Candidates will be examined to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position of Public Health Sanitarian. Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable him or her to take the examination, and/or to perform the essential functions of the job.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.