Public Health Inspector, Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city department dedicated to public health as a Public Health Inspector. In this role, you will conduct vital investigations related to environmental and foodborne illnesses throughout the vibrant boroughs of New York City. Your expertise will help ensure compliance with health regulations, protect the community from hazards, and contribute to a healthier environment. With unmatched benefits and a commitment to equity, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in public health while enjoying job security and a supportive workplace culture.

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

• Degree in physical/biological sciences or equivalent experience required.
• Certification in food service inspections is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations and inspections for environmental health issues.
• Advise property owners on compliance with health codes and regulations.
• Testify in hearings and courts regarding public health issues.

Skills

Food service establishment inspections

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Task management

Client interaction

Flexibility in work hours

Education

Baccalaureate degree in sciences

Associate degree in sciences

Job description

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.

JOB 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 are not limited to:

1. Conduct phone interviews and consultations with clients and owners/operators for 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 identify hazardous conditions.
4. Take necessary enforcement actions to eliminate public health hazards and protect the public in adherence with Codes, Regulations, and current protocols and instructions.
5. Instruct and advise 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:

1. Candidates must be fully trained and certified in food service establishment inspections with at least six months of independent field work and possess a valid NYS driver’s license.
2. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal skills.
3. Strong computer skills, strong analytical skills.
4. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
5. Ability to interact with clients and stakeholders in different social environments.
6. Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and/or weekends.

Why you should work for us:

1. 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/).
2. Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program.
• 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.

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 [emailprotected] or 347-396-6549.

PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN - 31215

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.

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.