Environmental Health Director

About the role

The Environmental Health Director serves as the lead technical authority for environmental health, sanitation compliance, and regulatory protection in Big Horn County. Operating under statutory authority delegated by the Health Officer and Board of Health, this position leads public health investigations, facility inspections, disease mitigation, emergency disaster response, and subdivision reviews. This role places primary emphasis on technical expertise, regulatory enforcement, and statutory certification, requiring specialized knowledge in microbiology, sanitation codes, and state environmental health laws.

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual quality health inspections and complaint investigations for state-licensed facilities across the county.
• Enforce compliance with local, state, and federal sanitation laws (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act).
• Propose, implement, and monitor public and environmental health policies with local and state officials.
• Serve as an expert witness in legal or court proceedings involving public health violations.
• Remain on-call 24/7 for public health emergencies, food contamination events, and truck wrecks involving hazardous materials or food products.
• Execute rapid emergency response within a 1 to 1.5-hour window.
• Direct epidemiological investigations, disaster mitigation, and item seizures under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
• Manage animal bite reports, animal tracking, quarantines, and rabies testing/investigations.
• Proctored community training~ Certified to teach and proctor ServSafe Food Manager courses.
• Represent the Health Department on the Big Horn County Planning Board, evaluating subdivisions, boundary line relocations, and land-use proposals.
• Act as primary liaison to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related physical science.
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) License issued by the State of Montana (or immediate eligibility via reciprocity).
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) via NEHA preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5+ years of direct experience in environmental health inspection and enforcement.
• ServSafe Food Manager Instructor/Proctor certification (or ability to obtain).
• Proof of immunity to designated infectious diseases and current TB test clearance.
• Valid Driver's License with no major moving violations in the last 5 years (Insurable record).

Skills

• Microbiology, vector control, food safety codes, MCA statutory laws, GPS/GIS mapping tools.
• Ability to work in outdoor conditions, hazardous environments, around animals, and in high-stress emergency situations.