Position Title: Senior Sanitarian - Housing & Community Environment

Salary: Hourly: $24.03 || Annual: $50,003.20

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.



Minimum Requirements:
  • A Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in a biological or physical science, chemistry, or in the field of environmental sciences. Any combination of 36 undergraduate and/or graduate biological, chemical, physical, and environmental science credits, regardless of the major, is considered as qualifying. 

 

AND 

 

  • Possession of a current certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform lead-based paint risk assessments.  

 

OR

 

A Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in a biological or physical science, chemistry, or in the field of environmental sciences. Any combination of 36 undergraduate and/or graduate biological, chemical, physical, and environmental science credits, regardless of the major, is considered as qualifying. 

 

AND 

 

One (1) year of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction. A certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform lead-based paint risk assessments must be obtained within six months of employment.

 

OR

 

  • One year of experience as an Environmental Health Specialist and possession of a certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform lead-based paint risk assessments or the ability to obtain one within six months of employment. 

 

OR 

 

  • Any acceptable equivalent combination of experience and training, including possession of current certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to perform lead-based paint risk assessments or the ability to obtain one within six months of employment.


Necessary Special Requirement

  • Possession of a valid automobile operator’s license and the use of an automobile during working hours or if handicapped, the ability to obtain appropriate automobile transportation during working hours.

 

Education & College Transcripts

If you are claiming college education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status, and drug/medical examinations as required for the position. The pre-employment drug screen must be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment.

Employment Type

  • Full-time, Associate Level.


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 60%
  • Relevant Skills & Certifications - 20%
  • Supplemental Questions - 20%


Supplemental Questions

Please be prepared to answer the following questions. You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department.


  1. Please describe any experience you have related to lead poisoning prevention. Please include the length of time you were engaged with this work.
  2. Please describe your experience with community engagement and education and how it has helped to improve public health.


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny County Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ


Position Summary:

This is environmental health professional work in the Housing and Community Environment Program (HCE) with managerial, case management, and some supervisory responsibilities. An employee in this class assists in implementing environmental health programs in such specialized areas as housing, sanitation, environmental safety, bathing place safety, lead hazard control, vector control, and reviewing plans for new or reconstructed facilities. The employee exercises a great deal of independence in the conduct of inspections, lead investigations, and other duties as assigned. Work is supervised by a higher-level administrator/manager.



Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Duties:

  • Consults with and advises the general public, business establishments, municipal officials and other agency representatives for the purpose of promoting and advancing the interest of the public’s health.
  • Conveys public health data and makes presentations and reports to professionals as well as the general public.
  • Performs investigations of incidents of childhood lead ingestion resulting in elevated blood lead levels. Performs lead-based paint risk assessments for primary prevention purposes and conducts lead education and outreach for families and the general public.
  • Reviews plans for establishments permitted and inspected by the HCE program, and other related plans to assure compliance with environmental health or safety principles and regulations.
  • As needed, conducts inspections of housing units, swimming pools, and other facilities to assure compliance with the policies and regulations of the Housing and Community Environment Program. Conducts air quality ice rink inspections, conducts carbon monoxide investigations and investigates other indoor air quality complaints
  • Investigates more difficult complaints or cases and prepares reports of investigations.
  • Testifies in court or at appeal hearings on enforcement action resulting from inspections or investigations. Conducts epidemiological investigations as needed.
  • Takes samples of dust, water, soil, sewage, lead-based paint, or other objects for testing by the Health Department laboratory or third-party laboratories.
  • Prepares and directs preparation of reports in oral, written and graphic forms on the results of field assignments, surveys and investigations completed.
  • Accompanies subordinate personnel on inspections and survey in order to train and evaluate them.
  • Assists higher level administrators with developing policy and procedure, program guidance documents, code revisions, and other duties as assigned.
  • Responds to Public Health emergencies as assigned by the Health Department. 
  • Performs other duties as required or requested. 



Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • The theory, principles, practices, and current developments in the field of environmental health.
  • Environmental health practices and techniques as applied to the residential environment, sewage and solid waste control, vector control, water sanitation, and lead based paint, soil, water and dust hazards.
  • The principles and causes of childhood elevated blood lead levels.
  • HUD, EPA and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rules and regulations regarding lead-based paint hazards, lead risk assessments, childhood lead investigations, and other Federal and State laws governing environmental health programs.
  • The legal basis for the regulations and laws pertaining to environmental health, and the principles and practices of environmental health administration.
  • The methods and techniques used to gather and analyze data.

Skill in:

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Employee Training
  • Biology
  • Report Writing
  • Supervisory Skills
  • Policy Analysis
  • Public Relations
  • Presentation Skills 
  • Public Health
  • Microsoft Office

Ability to:

  • Recognize hazardous environmental conditions, arrive at independent decisions and to enforce legal requirements tactfully, firmly and impartially.
  • Assist in training, development, supervision, and evaluation of subordinate personnel. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, in oral, written and graphic form.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with associates, government, professional, non-professional groups, and the general public. Sufficient physical stamina to conduct field investigations in rough terrain and/or under adverse environmental conditions; and availability to travel throughout the county as required by the agency.
  • Respond to public health emergencies.

Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D