SANITARIAN II

Number of positions: 4 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval). Starting annual salary: $75,336.00. This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME – Bargaining Unit 1, 3, 4 & 5.

About the Department

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) works with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient, and Healthy Chicago.

• Vision: Everyone in Chicago thrives and achieves their optimal health and wellness.
• Values:
  • Anti-Racism: We are committed to dismantling systemic racism to create an organizational culture that actively supports anti-racist efforts and is committed to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating all forms of racism within the department and in the community.
  • Informed Decision Making: We collect, share, and operationalize data to support public health decisions and actions to improve health and achieve our mission. CDPH leverages appropriate data infrastructure and technology to drive decisions and assess performance.
  • Teamwork: We cultivate belonging and respect for our colleagues and community partners. We act responsibly and work cooperatively to ensure effective communication. We encourage each other to grow and achieve our common goals.
  • Excellence: We value creativity, innovation, and exploration; and continuously seek ways to improve processes and systems by working together with integrity, honesty, compassion, and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Inspects the physical condition of food establishments (e.g., restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, wholesalers, special or summer food events or programs, and kitchens in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc.) to enforce food safety and sanitation codes and licensing requirements.
• Inspects the physical condition of swimming pools and spas (e.g., indoor, outdoor) to enforce environmental health codes and licensing requirements.
• Inspects equipment for proper bacterial sanitization, hygiene practices, and temperature control.
• Issues citations for violations of food safety and sanitation codes.
• May collect samples for laboratory analysis.
• Conducts exterior inspections of establishments in response to complaints involving possible sanitary violations (e.g., overflowing garbage dumpsters, rodent activity, etc.).
• Advises owners or managers on safety standards, existing violations, regulations regarding various environmental, health, and safety issues, and methods for compliance.
• Re-inspects establishments cited for violations to ensure corrective actions have been taken.
• Testifies in Administrative Hearings regarding violations.
• Conducts special inspections in conjunction with other city departments and agencies and in response to potential cases of food-borne illnesses, as required.
• Prepares and maintains inspection reports, records, and supporting documentation (e.g., photos).
• Responds to inquiries on health code violations, complaints, and compliance methods.
• Assists in training lower-level Sanitarians to conduct inspections.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's, Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology, Public Health, Environmental Health, or a directly related field, plus nine (9) semester hours in the biological or directly related sciences.
• Alternatively, two (2) years of work experience in food safety or regulatory inspections, plus nine (9) semester hours in the biological or related sciences.
• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required.
• Must have the permanent use of an automobile that is properly insured, including a clause specifically insuring the City of Chicago from accident liability.
• Food Service Sanitation Certification within 60 days of hire.
• Some positions may require specialty certification or training (e.g., Illinois Swimming Pool Operator certificate and/or Illinois Structural Pest Control Technician license).

At the time of processing, you must provide a copy of your transcripts to verify you have 9 semester hours in biological or related sciences.

Qualifications

• Previous experience conducting inspections of establishments that process, dispense, and purvey food and dairy products for compliance with state and local laws regulating public health and licensing requirements.
• Previous experience in food sanitation.
• Previous experience preparing and maintaining documents and inspection reports on investigations.
• Previous experience with techniques for inspecting food and dairy establishments.
• Previous work experience using Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Exposure to fumes or dust.
• Exposure to oily or wet environment.

Physical Requirements

• Some lifting (up to 35 pounds) is required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to climb staircases, ladders, and/or step stools.

Pay

Starting annual salary: $75,336.00.

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Hours may vary).
• Evenings and weekends are required as needed.

These are field-based positions that require Sanitarian IIs to work in all communities in the City of Chicago.

Benefits

For information on employee benefits, visit the benefits website.