Public Health Sanitarian 1 or 2

Working Title: Compliance Officer
Job Class: Public Health Sanitarian 1 or 2
Agency: Health Department

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers - bidders will be considered until 4/9/2024.
• Date Posted: 04/02/2024
• Closing Date: 04/16/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Health Department / Health-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Environmental Health / EH DWP Non Comm Compl Staff
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Not Applicable Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, 25% of the time.
• Salary Range: $26.64 - $39.06 / hourly; $55,624 - $81,557 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Employee/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: Yes, partially.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Join the mission-driven team in Environmental Health as a Public Health Sanitarian 1 or 2 in the Drinking Water Protection (DWP) Section and help protect public health in the use and consumption of water. Public Health Sanitarians monitor the implementation and enforcement of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and other Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) rules for noncommunity public water systems (NPWS).

Responsibilities include:

• Managing an SDWA regulatory compliance workload of noncommunity public water systems
• Coordinating statewide noncommunity water quality analysis and surveillance programs
• Maintaining an accurate inventory of noncommunity public water systems
• Supporting continuous process improvement by developing technical expertise and providing technical assistance
• Executing field activities including inspection, monitoring, resolving water quality incidents, and participation in enforcement actions as needed Reimbursement for authorized business travel expenses is provided according to bargaining unit guidelines.

This vacancy is being posted at both the Public Health Sanitarian 1 and Public Health Sanitarian 2 levels. The level at which the position will be filled will be based on the successful candidate's qualifications. The position is based out of St. Paul, MN and will have the option of some teleworking, however, it will be based on the business needs of the unit and is at supervisory discretion.

Minimum Qualifications

Resumes must reflect qualifications to be considered:

Public Health Sanitarian 1 Minimum Qualifications:

Possession of a registration as an Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS Certification) OR the ability to obtain within two years of hire.

Candidates may be hired on a provisional basis, without a current or renewable REHS/RS credential with evidence of:

• A bachelor's degree OR a degree-in-progress in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field which includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in the physical or biological sciences.

Public Health Sanitarian 2 Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience working as an environmental health specialist or sanitarian and the ability to obtain an REHS/RS certification within two years of hire.

OR

• Possession of a master's degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field and eighteen (18) months of experience working as an environmental health specialist or sanitarian and the ability to obtain an REHS/RS certification within two years of hire.

To become credentialed in Minnesota as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) a candidate may apply to sit for the NEHA computer-based REHS/RS exam, taken at an approved Pearson VUE testing location, OR apply for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity (when currently registered by NEHA or registered in another state as an REHS/RS).

Additional requirements to be assessed during the interview:

• English verbal and listening skills sufficient to communicate clearly with owners, managers, and employees; interviewing in a variety of environments including while loud equipment is operating, in busy kitchens, and while the employees are working; have written communications skills sufficient to document concise, accurate, and complete information and observations.
• Critical thinking skills sufficient to collect and analyze information, identify areas of focus, and make decisions based on evidence gathered.
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships, inform operators of violations and other pertinent findings, and participate in legal proceedings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a current or renewable registration as an Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS Certification).
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field.
• Knowledge in the areas of public health: environmental science, epidemiology, biology, chemistry, geology, hydrogeology and working knowledge of the procedures for investigating waterborne illnesses.
• Knowledge of federal and state statutes, rules and standards including the Safe Drinking Water Act, Minnesota Plumbing Code, Minnesota Well Code and Minnesota procedures for enforcement
• Ability to recognize and communicate potential risks for disease transmission and deviations from public health standards.
• Knowledge of what constitutes legal evidence and strict attention to detail in completing forms, following procedures, and documenting work.
• Ability to operate computer hardware and software, including database, spreadsheet, word-processing, GPS and internet applications.
• Possession of a valid Class D Minnesota driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

• Transport as much as 40 pounds of equipment or samples, from ground to waist height, and from waist to shoulder height.
• Perform gross and fine motor tasks, sometimes in varying indoor/outdoor temperature extremes.
• Read documents, maps, gauges, equipment manuals, etc.
• Navigate over even/uneven or sloping ground, including snow covered ground.

Additional Requirements

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

This position does not require a valid driver’s license, but it demands travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Alexis Isaacson at alexis.e.isaacson@state.mn.us or 651-539-2266.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Alexis Isaacson at alexis.e.isaacson@state.mn.us.

About Health Department

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.