4J12
PAY RANGE: 12
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTOR
(General)
(Bilingual)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is environmental health work at the advanced level, performing inspectional activities in a citywide environmental improvement program. Employees in this class act as lead workers, scheduling assignments for lower-level inspectional personnel and performing field checks to ensure quality and conformance to public health regulations and codes. Employees performing work in the Vector assignment conduct inspections related to vector control, animal management, injury prevention, and sanitary conditions. Employees in the Childhood Lead assignment conduct inspections in tenant-occupied and vacant residential properties to ascertain the presence of lead hazards. Contact with homeowners, tenants, and contractors to explain codes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to environment related health hazards is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior and contains some disagreeable aspects.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be
allocated to this class.)
1. The position must perform advanced level field inspectional activities in an environmental improvement program.
2. The position must perform the work in the Health Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
GENERAL SPECIALTY
ALL ASSIGNMENTS
Explains relevant health codes to new personnel; instructs them in proper inspection and investigation techniques; demonstrates use of instruments used in on-site inspections; instructs staff and outside agencies in the appropriate techniques of collecting samples.
Meets with individuals or community groups to explain codes, regulations and standards pertaining to environmental related health hazards; explains strategies to prevent injuries.
Prepares and maintains a variety of reports and records; uses computer terminal or personal computer to enter and retrieve data; performs field checks of lower-level investigators; reviews daily inspection reports for completeness and accuracy; schedules re-inspections of health violations to ascertain degree of owner compliance; refers violations or health and safety problems identified to appropriate agency for further action as required.
Performs related work as required.
Childhood Lead Assignment
Assigns inspectional personnel to inspect homes, businesses and surrounding areas for potential and existing health and safety hazards such as the presence of lead-based paint on environmental surfaces and other lead hazards or conditions which may cause falls or other accidents; schedules inspections in an assigned area of the city.
Inspects vacant HUD and tenant-occupied properties for the presence of lead using an x-ray Fluorescence analyzer to ensure that EPA and HUD regulations and City codes are being met; records all areas being tested in the home and the lead level reading; may collect soil and dust samples.
Upon completion of lead abatement work, conducts follow-up inspections; takes dust wipes from floors, window sills and window troughs and sends samples to the lab to determine lead levels.
Vector Assignment
Assigns inspectional personnel to inspect homes, businesses and surrounding areas for potential and existing health and safety hazards such as rat infestations and conditions which may cause falls or other accidents; schedules inspections in an assigned area of the city; may investigate insect complaints and report on conditions found.
Conducts more difficult inspections to detect health hazards; inspects excavation sites and structures designated for demolition for the presence of rat infestation and harborages; investigates rat and nuisance animal complaints and reported cases of rat and other animal bites; inspects pet shops, horse stables and petting zoos; responds to complaints of sewage overflow and improper disposal of solid waste; conducts inspections of interstate vessel watering points; explains to property owners or contractors requirements for correction of violations; reports on conditions found.
Inspects family day care centers to determine approval for family day care license; checks sanitary conditions and hot water and refrigeration temperatures; ensures that first aid kits are on hand and electrical outlets have safety covers; makes recommendation for license approval/disapproval based on conditions found.
Collects dairy, food and water samples from establishments in accordance with applicable federal and state standards and methods; uses digital thermometer to check temperature of sample and dispensing machine; transports samples to laboratory for analysis.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the duties described above with English language speaking and designated non-English speaking populations.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· field inspection practices, methods and techniques
· basic sanitation practices as they apply to the enforcement of preventive and environmental health regulations related to rat control, preventive health conditions and insect or other vector problems for the Vector assignment
· the methods, practices and techniques used to achieve compliance with ordinances, regulations, codes and standards as they apply to environmental health conditions
· interviewing methods and techniques
· hazards associated with lead-based paint and how to avoid exposure for the Childhood Lead assignment
· proper clean-up methods following completion of lead abatement for the Childhood Lead assignment
SKILL IN:
· conducting field inspections and investigations
ABILITY TO:
· explain applicable environmental health codes, regulations, ordinances and standards to contractors, tenants and owners
· learn supervisory practices and techniques
· assign and review the work of inspectors engaged in investigating health and safety hazards in homes and businesses
· operate instruments used in on-site inspections, as required by work assignment
· work with owners, tenants and contractors to achieve compliance with environmental health codes
· learn computer entry and retrieval methods and software applications related to work assignment
· express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· speak, read, and write fluently in the designated non-English language and English language for the Bilingual specialty
· maintain records and prepare reports
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with tenants, owners, contractors, the public, and associates
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 3/14.)
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade. .
AND
CERTIFICATION
Possession of valid certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to apply pesticides under the Department of Public Health’s Pesticide Application Business License or possession of a valid certificate as a Risk-Assessor for lead-based paint issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the required certification and experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from of the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified certification and the specified experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to apply pesticides under the Department of Public Health’s Pesticide Application Business License or possession of a valid certificate as a Risk-Assessor for lead-based paint issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry at the time of application and during tenure of employment as required by work assignment.
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Environmental Health Inspector, if required by work assignment.
Class Established 9/75
Spec. Revision: 11/96, 3/08, 8/13
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 1/14
Ad. Board – 3/14
JL