Public Health Inspector
About The Position
The Public Health Inspector I conducts on-site investigations and inspections of 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 cafeteria kitchens, youth camps, campgrounds, correctional facility kitchens, hotels, public pools and spas, body artists, and other licensed businesses. The position 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 nearby towns. The inspector coordinates referrals to other agencies, reviews license applications and plans, resolves compliance issues, provides technical guidance and education, and assists with developing program rules and operating procedures. The role also involves monitoring correction of violations, evaluating establishments for licensing, prioritizing inspections and complaint responses, recommending closures, issuing Imminent Health Hazard notices, and investigating complaints and food- or waterborne illnesses. Employees must obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification, and Certified Pool Operation Certification after hire and before attaining permanent status in the class.
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 after hire and before attaining permanent status.
- Obtain Certified Food Manager Certification after hire and before attaining permanent status.
- Obtain 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 agencies such as 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 the development of program rules and standard operating procedures.
- Monitor the correction of violations within a timeframe.
- Evaluate establishments for compliance with rules in order to issue licenses.
- Prioritize inspections, license issuance, and responses to complaints 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 more than three weeks of annual vacation leave, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service.
- Overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- 12 days of sick leave per year.
- The State pays 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary.
- A health insurance premium credit that reduces employee-only premiums by 5% when participation requirements are met.
- The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
- The State contributes an amount equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
- 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 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
