Senior Inspector

DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) seeks an Associate Public Health Sanitarian to supervise sanitarians, organize inspections, and ensure compliance with environmental health laws across high rat burden areas.

Responsibilities include training staff, reviewing reports, QA inspections, and coordinating with city agencies. Residency is often required; open to qualified applicants with appropriate public health experience.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree with 30 semester credits in physical/biological sciences and 2 years of inspection experience; or
• An associate degree with 15 credits in physical/biological sciences and 4 years of inspection experience; or
• Education/experience equivalent to (1) or (2) with specific credit requirements; and 2 years as a public health sanitarian for supervisory eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Train and supervise Public Health Sanitarians on new procedures and skills.
• Create indexing zones and routes; assign work to inspection staff.
• Review and approve inspection reports by staff.
• Conduct quality assurance inspections of staff work.
• Assist inspectors with tablets and system software issues.
• Respond to complaints with written reports and documentation.
• Develop reports summarizing work in high rat burden areas.
• Attend Community Board meetings; report on activities.
• Coordinate follow-up with Senior Exterminating/Stoppage team.
• Organize Rat Academies and field walks in assigned areas.
• Coordinate follow-up with other City Agencies as needed.

Skills

Written and oral communication

Flexibility/adaptability

Customer-focused

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Strategic thinking

Quantitative/qualitative analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences (or related)

Associate degree + 4 years relevant inspection experience

Education/experience equivalent to above with 60 credits and 2 years sanitarian experience

Job description

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE ASSOCIATE PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. ASSOCIATE PUBLIC HEALTH SANITA - 31220

Division/Program Summary

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 a 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. The Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services works to improve the public health of New York City by reducing the rat population. The program coordinates with other city agencies, improves environmental conditions in impacted neighborhoods, and assures compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing these areas of activity relative to rat infestations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Train and Supervise Public Health Sanitarians on new procedures and job skills.
• Create indexing zones and routes and assign work to inspection staff.
• Review and approve inspectional reports submitted by inspection staff.
• Conduct quality assurance inspections to evaluate work performance of inspection staff.
• Assist inspectors on troubleshooting issues on tablets and system software.
• Respond via written reports and documentation to complaints from Community Boards, Legislators, and City Council Officials.
• Develop written reports summarizing work completed in the high rat burden areas.
• Attend Community Board and community meetings in assigned areas and report on activities.
• Coordinate follow‑up in assigned areas with the Senior Exterminating/Stoppage team.
• Organize and lead walk through and Rat Academies in the assigned areas.
• Coordinate follow‑up with other City Agencies as needed.

Why you should work for us

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 and
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

1. 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; and at least two years of satisfactory full‑time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or
2. 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 4 years of satisfactory full‑time experience as described in "1" above; or
3. 3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in "1" above.
4. 4. 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; and at least two years of satisfactory full‑time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or
5. 5. 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 4 years of satisfactory full‑time experience as described in "1" above; or
6. 6. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in "1" above.
7. 7. In order to be eligible for promotion to a supervisory level, candidates must have 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian, pursuant to Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health).
8. 8. 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; and at least two
9. 9. 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 4 years of satisfactory full‑time experience as described in "1" above; or
10. 10. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in "1" above.
11. 11. In order to be eligible for promotion to a supervisory level, candidates must have 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian, pursuant to Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health).

Preferred Skills

• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Experience using database systems and using Microsoft office.
• Be Flexible, adaptable, customer‑focused, and goal‑oriented with a commitment to high standards of excellence.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, strategic thinking and quantitative/qualitative skills.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

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.