Environmental Health Scientist - Food Protection and Safety Lead

About The Role

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking an articulate, detail-oriented, and analytical professional to join our team as an Environmental Health Scientist. This position will provide support to the Department's Environmental Health Program, serving as the primary Food Protection Lead and Standardizing Authority for Utah. In this position, you will act as a senior technical advisor and strategic communicator, responsible for interpreting, updating, and clearly conveying the intent and purpose of food safety and other assigned environmental health administrative rules to federal, state, and local partners. If you are skilled in rule development, technical writing, and building consensus across public health agencies through clear communication, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Complete the FDA standardization program and serve as the state's recognized FDA Standardized Retail Food Safety Inspection Officer, evaluating and standardizing LHD personnel to ensure consistent application of food safety standards statewide.
• Update, revise, and maintain Utah's food protection rules, along with other assigned environmental health rules, to align with the current FDA Model Food Code, federal guidance, emerging science, and statutory changes, ensuring they are revised, reviewed, and filed as necessary.
• Articulate the legislative intent, public health rationale, and practical application of Utah's food protection and other assigned environmental health administrative rules to local health departments (LHDs), regulated industries, policy makers, and the public.
• Manage approvals and review of applications for providers of food handler training programs and food safety manager certifications.
• Design and deliver engaging oral presentations, training modules, workshops, and briefings for diverse audiences, including local health departments, industry partners, advisory boards, and public stakeholders.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert (SME) for local environmental health directors and staff, helping them interpret complex regulatory language and maintain uniform statewide enforcement.
• Facilitate collaborative working relationships and maintain alignment among DHHS, local health departments, the FDA, the USDA, the UDAF, and industry advisory committees.

Qualifications

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Current licensure/certification as a Licensed Environmental Health Scientist (LEHS) in Utah (or ability to obtain reciprocity at time of hire).
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Biological/Physical Sciences, or a closely related field.

Preferred or trainable/on-the-job qualifications:

• 10 or more years of experience conducting retail food establishment inspections.
• Proven track record in drafting, interpreting, or implementing public health rules and regulations.
• Technical writing experience creating official guidance, compliance manuals, or policy documents.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.