Position Summary

The Environmental Health Specialist is responsible for conducting routine, complaints, and follow-up inspections at licensed establishments (restaurants, grocery, convenience stores, food trucks, schools, swimming pools, lodging, massage, and body art) and investigate foodborne and waterborne illness outbreaks. This position composes timely reports, letters, documents, and if necessary, determine if additional enforcement actions are needed (citations, business closure, condemnations, referrals to adult or child protection). Enforces and interpret local, state, federal laws, and statutes.

The duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Health Specialist are performed with latitude for independent judgment in accordance with Department and City policies, Federal, State, and local regulations and are based on detailed knowledge of Department operations. Work is subject to periodic review by the supervisor, who provides input on and approval of recommendations, and discusses assignments, priorities, and work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conducts routine, complaint, and follow-up inspections of (restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, food trucks, schools, swimming pools, lodging, massage, and body art), and investigate foodborne and waterborne illness outbreaks in accordance with City, State and Federal rules, laws, statutes, and ordinances.
Issues clear and concise inspection reports and correction orders in order to communicate any outstanding code, health, or safety violations accurately and effectively. Also determine referrals and appropriate enforcement actions (citations, abatement, condemnations, etc.)
Maintains health inspection databases to measure performance of department and city programs to include statistics and info for yearly reports in order to stay compliant with delegation agreements with the Minnesota Department of Health & Agriculture.
Utilizes knowledge of GIS software to submit yearly reports, conducts spatial analysis of data, and promotes division usages of GIS technologies and process improvements.
Investigates and addresses complaints in licensed facilities and environmental hazards in both commercial and residential settings.
Provides public education and outreach to the community through presentations and demonstrations.
Develops and leads individual, interdepartmental, and cross-functional team projects, investigations and reports as assigned for the division, department, or organization.
Recruits, mentors, trains, and assists seasonal interns; ensures duties are performed accurately, professionally, and within division policies.
Assists manager in reviewing and updating program’s policies, procedures, and data retention.
Prepares for audit by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health per delegation agreement.
Maintains records and filing system for data requests and audits.
Prepares reports and other correspondences, as needed.
Attends court proceedings to provide code interpretation and testimony in legal proceedings.
Respond to complex housing cases (unsafe or unsanitary conditions). These conditions include mold, infestations, sewer back-ups, flooding, fires, hoarding, and garbage houses. Evaluate when home is unfit for habitation.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences or related field.

Evidence of receiving a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, or other related environmental health field which includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in the physical or biological fields.

Evidence of supervision was provided by an environmental health specialist or sanitarian or licensed health professional, or an engineer or other professional graduate degree in physical or biological sciences.

Experience

One (1) year of experience.

Licenses/Certifications

Valid and current driver’s license.
Within one (1) year of hire:
- Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).
- Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatic Facilities Operator (AFO) Certification.
- Emergency Management training through the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
- MN Standardized Food Safety Inspector.

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the Minnesota Food Code and FDA Food Program Standards.
Knowledge of governmental operations and departments.
General knowledge of plumbing, mechanical and fire codes.
Ability to perform work requiring a high degree of concentration and judgment in interpreting practices and procedures to solve problems.
Ability to work independently and to prioritize work requests.
Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office software sufficient to manipulate data, draft reports and maintain records.
Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences, persuade stakeholders, and to perform public speaking to the City Council and community and other groups, and reading comprehension skills sufficient to read, understand and interpret complex and varied work-related materials.
Demonstrates the desired standard of conduct and work performance including confidentiality and privacy requirements of the Environmental Health Division.
Interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationship.
Ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with internal and external customers.
Ability to exercise sound judgment to objectively define, investigate, and resolve problems/conflicts.
Ability to interact, develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all organizational levels, internally, and externally.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both in verbal and written formats.
Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Desired Qualifications

Previous experience working with diverse populations.
Current registration as a RS/REHS for NEHA (National and State of Minnesota).
Three (3) years equivalent experience in environmental health inspections
Standardized in retail food inspections and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s).

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of standing, bending, sitting, stooping, kneeling, climbing
Office environment; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others, frequent interruptions.
Some hazards may include entering homes with unsanitary conditions, indoor air quality issues (mold, sewer back-ups, asbestos, lead, etc.), and inspecting businesses after fires and floods.
Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 10 to 50 pounds regularly/occasionally.

Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 6th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Approximately 60 percent of our residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Our Vision, Values and Goals

Additional Information

Resume Requested
To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume to their application to be considered for this position.

Department/Division Community Development/Environmental Health

Anticipated Work Schedule
Full-time, non-exempt, position working primarily Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with occasional evenings.

Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy.

We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability-related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at HumanResources@brooklynpark.org.

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