Environmental Health Specialist II/I (Health & Wellness Department)

City of Detroit•Michigan, MI

About The Position

The Detroit Health Department is hiring an Environmental Health Specialist at the II or I classification in its Health & Wellness Department. The Department’s food safety unit licenses and inspects more than 1,900 food establishments to prevent foodborne illness and ensure safe food is served. Under general supervision, the specialist performs inspections and related regulatory work to reduce risks from environmental health hazards. The Environmental Health Specialist II is a senior professional position that provides technical and legal support to other specialists and may coordinate projects, programs, or committees and develop program improvements. The role may be assigned primarily to Food Safety or Environmental Health but requires the ability to handle varied duties. Regulated facilities may include child care and adult foster care facilities, swimming pools, recreation facilities, body art establishments, food service establishments, medical marijuana care centers, and other facilities. Work also includes investigating foodborne or environmental vector disease outbreaks and public complaints. The specialist explains inspection findings, interprets regulations, recommends corrective actions, and ensures identified hazards are corrected. The role includes public and business education, development of educational materials, report writing, facility plan and construction reviews, enforcement activities, sample collection, collaboration with other agencies, and participation in committees and emergency preparedness activities. Completion of specified FEMA emergency preparedness training within 90 days of hire is required. Emergency response activation on short notice may be required. The Environmental Health Specialist II salary range is $67,100–$87,200; the Environmental Health Specialist I salary range is $60,600–$75,800. Candidates may be hired at the lower classification based on experience and qualifications. Work includes office and field assignments in a complex urban environment, travel within the city, occasional weekend and extended hours, and inspections in varied environmental conditions.

Requirements

Environmental Health Specialist II: Bachelor’s degree in public health, biology, chemistry, physics, natural science, environmental science, food science, or a related field, including at least 30 hours of science coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, or statistics.
Environmental Health Specialist II: At least three years of experience in environmental health, food safety, investigating foodborne or environmental illness outbreaks, and/or plan review.
Environmental Health Specialist II: Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification from the National Environmental Health Association or State of Michigan. A State of Michigan Standardized Trainer may be hired with the requirement to obtain this certification within 12 months of hire.
Environmental Health Specialist I: Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, public health, biology, chemistry, physics, natural science, environmental science, food science, or a related field, including at least 30 hours of science coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, or statistics.
Environmental Health Specialist I: Experience conducting food safety, environmental health, or related inspections is strongly preferred.
Completion of emergency preparedness training, including but not limited to FEMA IS Courses 100, 200, 700, and 800, within 90 days of hire.
State of Michigan operator or motor vehicle operator license, appropriate insurance coverage, and a reliable vehicle are required. The Department is not responsible for out-of-pocket costs beyond mileage reimbursement.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated individually.
Knowledge of environmental health and food safety principles, statistical methods, and food safety.
Computer literacy, including use of primary software such as Microsoft Office; strong analytical, assessment, and leadership skills.
Excellent verbal, written, and public communication skills, and the ability to work with government personnel, health care professionals, establishment owners and employees, and the public.
Ability to identify, interpret, and enforce public health laws, ordinances, and policies; work with people of varied backgrounds and temperaments; and work effectively in diverse teams and organizations.
Strong attention to detail, follow-through, timeliness, self-motivation, work ethic, and ethical standards, including avoiding conflicts of interest.
Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, departmental rules, and regulations.

Nice To Haves

Environmental Health Specialist II: Bachelor’s degree in environmental health or food safety.
Environmental Health Specialist II: Master’s degree in environmental health, food safety, public health, or a related field.
Fluency in languages common in Detroit, including Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, or Chinese.
Experience as a Plan Review Officer or Standardized Trainer, or experience investigating foodborne or environmental illness outbreaks, especially in an urban environment.
Certification in Incident Command Structure or crisis management, and participation in public health emergency preparedness activities in real or simulated emergencies.
Environmental Health Specialist I: At least three years of experience in environmental health or public health.
Environmental Health Specialist I: Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification from the National Environmental Health Association or State of Michigan.

Responsibilities

Serve as a support resource for Environmental Health Specialists in the senior professional classification.
Coordinate projects, programs, or committees and research and develop improvements to existing programs.
Help prepare for State of Michigan public health accreditation.
Inspect regulated public and commercial facilities for compliance with city, state, and federal regulations.
Discuss inspection findings, educate facility owners or representatives, interpret regulations, recommend corrective actions, and ensure identified hazards are corrected.
Identify and research environmental health hazards and educate the public and businesses about environmental health and food safety.
Write reports explaining food safety or environmental hazards to a range of audiences.
Conduct preliminary inspections, monitor new facilities during construction, and perform final inspections upon completion.
Participate in enforcement activities.
Investigate possible food, water, or environmental vector illness outbreaks and complaints from the public.
Perform aseptic collection of stool and other samples.
Develop educational materials and coordinate and promote continuing education on regulatory trends, changes, and initiatives.
Collaborate with other agencies and serve on committees, special project teams, or task forces as assigned.
Obtain Incident Command Structure and crisis management certification and participate in public health emergency preparedness activities in real or simulated emergencies.
Perform other related duties and training as assigned, including emergency response duties.