Environmental Health Specialist I/II -Food Protection Services (Environmental Sanitarian II)

About the Role

Anne Arundel County Government is seeking a full-time, emergency essential, and permanent Environmental Health Specialist I/II (Environmental Sanitarian I/II) in the Department of Health. This position conducts inspections and investigations to promote environmental health, protect the environment, and enforce State and local environmental health codes, laws, and regulations. Field inspections and investigations are performed on food service facilities, with follow-up action as necessary.

This role handles special assignments for the Food Protection Services Program Supervisor and may be designated as an emergency essential employee, requiring the incumbent to report to work or remain at work during emergencies to ensure continuity of agency operations.

Responsibilities

• Performs full-performance on-site inspections, investigations, and surveys for assigned programs to ensure compliance with County, State, and Federal public environmental health laws, codes, regulations, and standards, including licensed food service facilities, mobile food units, special food events, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems.
• Investigates complaints to determine possible public or environmental health violations, including interviewing complainants.
• Collects routine or less complex field samples (e.g., food, beverages, air, soil, water, paint) and submits them for laboratory testing and analysis to ensure compliance with applicable health laws and standards.
• Analyzes and interprets laboratory test results and reports to determine compliance or identify environmental health hazards.
• Issues written notices of code violations to responsible parties, explaining non-compliant practices or operations.
• Confers with owners and operators to resolve actual or potential problems and recommends actions to achieve compliance.
• Prepares and submits written correspondence or documentation to resolve cases or promote the agency’s goals and objectives.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and retrievable records, data, statistics, and documentation for reports or potential use in hearings or court proceedings.
• Testifies at hearings or court proceedings to provide relevant evidence or testimony in the adjudication of code violation cases.
• Operates and maintains vehicles, equipment, and supplies in accordance with departmental rules and guidelines.
• Responds to environmental health emergencies during or after regular work hours as directed by a higher-level Sanitarian or Manager.
• Participates in the training of Environmental Sanitarians I.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in biological, environmental, or physical sciences.
• Certification as a registered environmental sanitarian or proof of eligibility to obtain a license from the Maryland State Board of Environmental Sanitarian Registration.
• Valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator’s license.

Environmental Sanitarian I: No prior professional experience in environmental health inspection work is required beyond the certification or eligibility for certification.

Environmental Sanitarian II: One (1) or more years of professional experience in environmental health inspection work, in addition to certification as a registered environmental sanitarian with the Maryland State Board of Environmental Sanitarian Registration.

Note: This position will be filled at the Environmental Sanitarian I or II level depending on the credentials and experience of the successful candidate. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency through a credential evaluation service.

Skills

• Knowledge of principles, objectives, techniques, and practices related to public and environmental health programs.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply natural science principles in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
• Knowledge of County, State, and Federal laws, codes, and ordinances governing public and environmental health.
• Ability to recognize environmental health problems and apply appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, or standards.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives from State, Local, Federal, and community organizations, property and business owners, co-workers, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret and enforce codes and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, plans, and schematic drawings accurately.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.
• Ability to plan, organize, and conduct inspections, investigations, and surveys.
• Ability to provide testimony at hearings and in court.
• Ability to operate and maintain equipment, vehicles, and instruments for sampling, testing, and measuring.

Pay

Environmental Sanitarian I: $55,216.00 - $102,088.00 annually.

Environmental Sanitarian II: $60,954.00 - $112,688.00 annually.

Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans:
  • BlueChoice Advantage EPO
  • BlueChoice Advantage PPO
• Dental Insurance:
  • CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up)
  • CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE)
  • CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Vision Insurance: EyeMed
• Employee Life Insurance: Term insurance of up to 2 times salary ($100,000 maximum) at no cost, with the ability to purchase supplemental and dependent life insurance.
• Disability Income Insurance
• Pension Plan: Normal retirement after 30 years of service, or at age 60 with 10 years of service, or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan.
• Deferred Compensation: Section 457 Plan
• Direct Deposit
• Credit Union
• Holidays: Twelve days per year, thirteen in a general election year.
• Annual Leave:
  • Less than 3 years of service: 13 days
  • 3 to less than 15 years of service: 20 days
  • 15 years or more of service: 26 days
• Disability Leave: Accrual at a rate of 15 days per year.
• Personal Leave: 5 days per calendar year.
• Leave Sharing
• Employee Assistance Program: Free, confidential counseling for employees and family members (4 sessions per problem per family member per year), including legal and financial counseling, and assistance in locating childcare and elder care.
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement
  • Health Care Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits: Opportunity to enroll in the following with payroll deduction:
  • Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider
  • United Legal Benefits