Part-Time Public Health Sanitarian

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service.

About the role

This is a grant-funded position.

Join Oakland County’s Health Division and apply your environmental health expertise through inspections, regulatory compliance, education, and practical recommendations to protect public health and improve community safety.

Pay

$32.32 - $43.31 per hour.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit: Oakland County Benefits.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections of food establishments, group lodging and care facilities, residential sites, recreational areas, and other regulated locations.
• Implement and enforce the Oakland County Sanitary Code and applicable state environmental health laws.
• Perform soil evaluations for onsite sewage disposal systems and review site data to determine the feasibility of onsite water supplies.
• Investigate sanitation concerns, document findings, and recommend appropriate action regarding licensing or code violations.
• Represent Environmental Health Services before the Sanitary Code and Food Service Appeal Boards on matters involving sewage disposal systems, water supplies, and food service facilities.
• Maintain accurate records and reports using countywide and department-specific software.
• Performs on-site inspections and investigations of food service establishments to observe food handling procedures, cleanliness of premises, sewage and waste disposal practices, and other conditions related to local sanitary codes, state and federal laws, or regulations.
• Inspects public and private water supplies, restaurants, soils, pools, day care centers, schools, collecting samples when necessary for analyses to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and County Public Health Statutes, Codes, Rules, and Regulations.
• Investigates difficult complaints regarding possible health hazards, such as poor ventilation, food contamination, insect or rodent infested areas, sewage problems, and polluted waters; collects samples for analysis, documents steps taken and results.
• Uses persuasive skills for conflict situations, advises compliance with existing regulations and laws, recommends steps to eradicate problem areas, and recommends legal action if necessary to enforce compliance.
• Performs routine inspections of State of Michigan licensed campgrounds.
• Performs site evaluations for residential and non-residential on-site sewage disposal systems.
• Performs final inspections on routine on-site sewage disposal systems.
• Responds to complaints that are difficult to resolve, complex in nature, and/or referred by lower-level personnel.
• Represents Environmental Health Service's position on all appeals in regard to on-site sewage disposal systems, on-site water supply systems, and food service facilities before the Sanitary Code and the Food Service Appeal Boards.
• Provides educational instruction and materials to the public and conducts training seminars for personnel involved in various functions and activities regulated by Environmental Health Services.
• Makes recommendations regarding licensing/permits or rescission of licensing/permits for routine Environmental Health programs based on compliance to the County Sanitary Code and state laws.
• Counsels and/or assists local government in conducting residential housing inspections relating to elimination of actual and/or potential safety hazards in new or existing homes, industries, and construction sites.
• Coordinates surveys and/or investigates complex insect and/or rodent problems.
• Performs routine evaluations of Type II water supplies for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
• Performs routine inspections of public swimming pools.
• Maintains records and reports of sanitation matters and makes recommendations regarding licensure or code violations.
• May conduct any activity typically assigned to lower-level Environmental Health personnel.
• Utilizes current county-wide and/or department-specific software to complete assignments.

Requirements

• Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Environmental Health; OR
• Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public health, environmental science, or environmental policy, and have earned 30 semester/45 quarter hours of college credit in basic science coursework (per National Environmental Health Association credentialing requirements); OR
• Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in physical or biological sciences, or a closely related field; AND have had at least one (1) year of full-time, supervised experience in environmental health.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license.
• Must maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.
• Must submit to immunizations as required by the Health Division and to periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest x-rays at County expense.

Desirable Qualifications

• Reasonable knowledge of the professional practices and procedures in the field of environmental health.

Working Conditions

• May be required to travel to other locations during the course of work.
• Work is performed in a typical office environment, licensed building establishments, and outdoors.
• Position may require walking over rough or uneven terrain and exposure to environmental elements including heat, cold, rain, and wind.

Essential Mental & Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate accurately to convey information using tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and/or be a passenger.