Child Care Inspector

City of New York • Brooklyn, NY

4d

About The Position

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. The Bureau of Child Care ensures that childcare services in New York City operate in compliance with the New York City Health Code and New York State Social Service regulations and are licensed or permitted as required by law. The Bureau routinely monitors childcare programs to protect the health and safety of children while in the childcare environment, and actively works to improve and expand access to high quality programs which support early childhood development and learning. Position Summary: The Public Health Sanitarian will conduct inspections of childcare programs throughout New York City and enforce pertinent laws, rules and regulations.

Requirements

• 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
• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct periodic inspections of childcare programs involving visual inspection of premises, review of documents and records field testing and sample collection
• Prepare reports using a handheld tablet to document inspection findings in a complete, clear, accurate and timely fashion.
• Review findings with and instruct operators on regulatory compliance and remedial measures including but not limited to proper food handling, sanitation, vermin control and other areas of environmental health.
• Issue court summonses and hearing notices and may close establishments in cases of imminent danger.
• Determine site viability related to applications for permits to open a childcare program under the NYC Health Code and/or NYS Regulations.
• Conduct data collection and reporting activities for routine operations and for special studies and surveys.
• Attend and testify at administrative hearings as representative of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
• Travel throughout New York City using mass transit or a personal car and carry approximately 15 pounds of inspection equipment.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees