4J42
PAY RANGE: N19
SANITARIAN SUPERVISOR
(General)
(Bilingual)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is supervisory environmental health work directing a staff of lower level sanitarians engaged in conducting environmental health inspections and investigations in an assigned health district or program area such as food protection, tobacco control, vector control, institutional health, tattoo and body art, lead and healthy homes, or nutrition and health. Employees are required to resolve most regulatory problems that arise, and are further responsible for a substantial portion of the interpretation of codes and education of interested parties as to code requirements and their application to specific cases.
Work is performed under the direction of an environmental health program superior. Work involves physical effort and some disagreeable aspects.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. Employees in this class must work in the Health Department.
2. Employees in this class must supervise sanitarians and other environmental health staff engaged in conducting environmental health inspections and investigations.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the duties described below with English language speaking and designated non-English speaking populations.
BOTH SPECIALTIES
Plans, assigns and supervises the activities of a staff of lower level sanitarians engaged in performing environmental health inspectional and investigational work in a particular health district or work location which includes sanitary conditions of milk and food establishments, barber and beauty shops, tattoo, body art and piercing establishments, swimming pools, insect and rodent complaints, potential lead poisoning hazards, or tobacco sales practices; reviews inspectional reports of these sanitarians; occasionally accompanies sanitarians on inspections; instructs new employees in inspectional procedures.
Supervises the enforcement of public health emergency response such as epidemics or pandemics in the area of assignment for environmental health investigation and response;
Directs the inspections of various traps to capture nuisance creatures and response to residential rat complaints; ensures pesticide applications are performed according to current federal, state, and local laws; directs in the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive integrated pest management plans for City agencies; assures equipment is maintained and calibrated; supervises the coordination and training of pest and pesticide education for all internal and external agencies; may appear in court on behalf of the city for non-compliance cases.
Ensures that subordinate staff properly maintain database of public environmental health records; supervises staff to ensure proper tracking, reporting, and evaluation of surveillance and control programs; coordinates, through subordinates, appointments for subsequent medical treatment; recommends cases for abatement and/or enforcement; ensuring work of lower level staff is compliant; ensures healthy home evaluations are conducted; issues warnings or tickets to individuals regarding public nuisances or violations of public health ordinances.
Conducts complex inspections and investigations as required; conducts all pre-court inspections; performs post-inspections of abatement work; prepares inspection reports.
Studies and makes decisions on difficult or unusual environmental health problems requiring interpretation of regulations and/or applying the individual's expertise in a given area.
Holds administrative hearings with owners or proprietors or establishments, reviews previously found violations; recommends enforcement action when necessary; may be required to appear in court.
Periodically reviews the scheduling and work of lower level sanitarians and other environmental health personnel to ensure that objectives are being met.
Supervises the maintenance of records and prepares reports reflecting program results and progress.
May review plans for new or renovated establishments.
Speaks before community groups to provide general or specific program information in addition to enlisting participation in the public health program; provides information to the public regarding health problems or concerns. Performs related work as required.
Tobacco Control Assignment
Ensures directly, and through subordinate staff, business compliance with local tobacco sales laws and relevant municipal laws, regulations and standards; directs tobacco retail education and enforcement activities across the Department of Public Health and with other City agencies; makes permit determinations on business exemption from local tobacco sales laws; prepares reports and presentations for City and state agencies, public health stakeholders, and the public regarding tobacco enforcement; reviews and approves tobacco retailer permit applications; follows up with tobacco retailers; makes final recommendations regarding the issuance of tobacco retailer permits based on compliance history.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the regulations applicable to federal and state environmental laws and environmental health
• the laws, rules, regulations applicable to the Health and Administrative codes related to environmental health ordinances
• the methods, principles and techniques of environmental health
• the objectives of public health regulatory activities
• the basic principles of bacteriology and laboratory practice as related to the analysis of milk, food, and food products and bottled water
• tobacco products available for sale and their health effects for the Tobacco Control Assignment only
• the design of pest and pesticide training for internal and external agencies and organizations
• the environmental health permitting process
• the application of Philadelphia Code and all nuisance related ordinances,
• practices and techniques used to reduce illness and injury caused by home health and safety hazards
· regulations governing operation and conduct of tattoo and body piercing establishments
SKILL IN:
• reviewing data and information for completeness and accuracy if required by work assignment
• maintenance and calibrated pesticide application equipment if required by work assignment
· reviewing environmental health risk assessments
· technical report writing and record keeping
• evaluation and implementation of comprehensive integrated pest management plans for city agencies if required by work assignment
• the use of database, word processing and spreadsheet applications
• communicating with diverse audiences, including City departments, members of the community and small business owners if required by work assignment
• knowledge, awareness and acceptance of cultural sensitivities without assigning
value to difference(s)
ABILITY TO:
• plan and supervise the work of a moderately sized group of technical assistants
• enforce regulations with firmness and tact
• maintain satisfactory relationships with operators of establishments inspected, associates and community organizations
• use computers and learn software applications related to work assignment
• make clear and concise reports and recommendations
• effectively communicate and articulate information by speaking, reading and writing fluently in the designated non-English language and English language for the bilingual specialty
• effectively control emotions and use discretion
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 8/21.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in dairy or food technology, environmental, agricultural, life or physical science.
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of post Bachelor’s degree environmental health work inspecting a variety of establishments for conformance to public health regulations and codes or coordinating permitting and enforcement activities for compliance with local tobacco laws.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which includes a bachelor’s degree .
NOTE: Registration as a Sanitarian with the Commonwealth Board for Registration of Sanitarians or equivalent registration from another state or National Environmental Health Association certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) may be substituted for one year of experience.
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 degree, specific experience and/or registration to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the two highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified degrees, experience and/or registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.
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 proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Sanitarian Supervisor.
Possession of a current certificate as a Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if required by work assignment.
Possession of a current certificate as either a Certified Public Applicator or a Registered Pesticide Applicator from the Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania required by work assignment.
Class Established - 4/53
Spec. Revision: CSC - 1/98; Ad. Board - 4/98
CSC - 5/10; Ad. Board - 7/10
Spec. Revision: CSC – 4/15; Ad. Board – 4/15
Latest Spec. Revision and change in pay rate: CSC – 7/21; Ad. Board – 8/21
KH