Public Health Inspector

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Inspector conducts on-site investigations and inspections of licensed establishments to assess potential impacts on health, safety, and sanitary conditions, determine compliance with program rules, and protect public health and safety. Establishments include restaurants, school and hospital kitchens, youth camps, campgrounds, correctional facility kitchens, hotels, public pools and spas, body artists, and other licensed establishments. The vacancy is based in the Augusta DHHS office and covers portions of Kennebec, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties, including Augusta, Boothbay Harbor, Chelsea, China, Damariscotta, Hallowell, Palermo, Pittston, Windsor, and adjacent towns. The role also involves coordinating referrals with other agencies, reviewing license applications and business plans, resolving compliance issues, providing technical guidance and education, assisting with program rules and procedures, monitoring corrections, evaluating establishments for licensure, prioritizing inspections and complaint responses, recommending closures, issuing imminent health hazard notices, and investigating complaints and food- or waterborne illnesses. After hire, employees must obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification, and Certified Pool Operation Certification before attaining permanent status. The State of Maine offers a benefits package that includes paid holidays and leave, health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, gym membership reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, parental leave, and other wellness and retirement programs.

Requirements

A six-year combination of education and/or experience in public health, environmental or biological science, health education, or a related field, including two years of public health, biological or environmental science, or related experience.
Obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification, and Certified Pool Operation Certification after hire and before attaining permanent status.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience with food safety, public health, and sanitation laws.
Knowledge of techniques used in public health inspections.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
Ability to conduct investigations and inspections.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

Conduct on-site investigations and inspections of licensed establishments to assess health, safety, and sanitary conditions and determine compliance with program rules.
Organize, coordinate, and make referrals to other agencies, including Liquor Licensing, the Fire Marshal’s Office, the Department of Agriculture, and Marine Resources.
Review and evaluate license applications, including business plans and specifications.
Resolve issues related to compliance with health, safety, environmental, and sanitary rules and regulations.
Provide technical expertise and education on program rules and regulations.
Assist with developing program rules and standard operating procedures.
Monitor the correction of violations within established timeframes.
Evaluate establishments for compliance with rules to issue licenses.
Prioritize establishment inspections, license issuance, and complaint responses according to program standard operating procedures.
Recommend compliance closures and determine when to issue Imminent Health Hazard notices.
Conduct special investigations into complaints and food- or waterborne illnesses.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave, with accrual increasing with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
12 days of sick leave per year.
State-paid 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary.
Health insurance premium credit that reduces employee-only premiums by 5% for participants.
State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State retirement contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay to MainePERS.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Employee assistance program through the Living Resources Program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits for State employees.