Job Specification Details

Supervisory, administrative, technical and regulatory compliance work at a professional level for the Department of Health involving the administration of a regulatory program which is responsible for the licensure and inspection of food and lodging establishments. Supervision is exercised over a staff of public health field inspectors and specialists. Technical assistance is provided to producers, processors, and retail establishments regarding the inspection process. Responsible for monitoring program activity, promulgating rules and regulations. Responsible for managing electronic inspection system and hardware for Public Health Inspectors. Provides statewide expertise in the prevention and maintenance of foodborne/waterborne outbreaks and illness. Incumbent may occasionally inspect, respond to complaints, provide tests and regulate compliance with violations for food and lodging establishments. Responsible for the development and coordination of training programs for industry and staff. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Senior Environmental Health Program Manager. 

All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Responsible for managing routine activities of the Food and Lodging program and response to situations of conflict, significant hazards, and emergencies. Represents the program in media requests, record requests, and interviews. Responsible for the supervision, training, and assessment of the inspection field staff. Establishes standards of performance and evaluate performance of staff supervised. Performs statewide specialized and technical inspection work in food service establishments, manufacturing plants, and in lodging establishments. Responds to industry and the public on questions, comments and complaints regarding the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations. Works collaboratively with Divisions within and outside the Department of Health on permitting matters and foodborne/waterborne illness and outbreaks. Reviews construction plans for new establishments for compliance with regulations, food safety preventive measures, and approval for licensed operation. Fields questions and provides guidance on the interpretation and promulgation of regulations. Provides technical assistance and troubleshooting for electronic inspection system. Coordinates environmental investigation for foodborne/waterborne illness. Develops, coordinates, and conducts training and educational sessions for industry on food safety and environmental issues. Ensures enforcement of state food service and lodging regulations through analysis of inspection reports. Develops, coordinates and conducts training sessions for inspection field staff on food safety, sanitation and environmental health issues. Plans and facilitates staff meetings to develop staff, address areas of general interest and to ensure equitable statewide interpretation of policy and regulations. May develop special study information or surveys and prepare reports. Evaluates and identifies cases for progressive enforcement action. Implements and monitors enforcement action with legal and policy staff. Maintains cooperative working relationship with state and federal regulatory agency partners, industry stakeholders, and the general public. Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed in both field and office setting. Incumbents may encounter strong differences of opinion and emotional reactions which must be dealt with in a firm, objective and helpful manner. A valid Vermont driver's license and or some private means of transportation is necessary. Some evening or weekend work may be required.

Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of public health.

Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations applicable to environmental health in Vermont, particularly as they relate to food safety and sanitation.

Thorough knowledge of HACCP, food science, sanitation and environmental health principles.

Considerable knowledge of personnel supervisory principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of swimming pool operation, maintenance, and design.

Considerable knowledge of the concepts and principles of public health sanitation.

Considerable knowledge of epidemiological investigation procedures.

Considerable knowledge of regulatory inspection procedures.

Considerable knowledge of the bacteriological and chemical characteristics of water.

Considerable knowledge of electronic inspection systems and field data collection hardware.

Knowledge of training principles and practices.

Ability to interpret and explain health codes to the public.

Ability to instruct others in basic public health sanitation procedures.

Ability to correctly interpret and apply rules and regulations of considerable complexity.

Ability to review technical reports for thoroughness and accuracy. 

Ability to enforce regulations tactfully but firmly.

Ability to communicate informatively both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to work independently with little supervision.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Master's degree in health, administration or human services field AND (2) years or more of experience at a professional level in environmental health, public health, food safety or sanitary engineering setting.

OR

Bachelor's degree with major coursework in a physical or biological science, nutrition, health, environmental engineering, or a related field AND six (6) years or more of experience at a professional level in environmental health, public health, food safety or sanitary engineering setting, including or supplemented by supervisory experience.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.