Public Health Sanitarian

Position Summary   

This position provides environmental health inspections, licensing, consultation and technical services to individuals, public and private entities within Barron County on accordance with Public Health statutes and regulations. 

Essential Functions   

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

1. Conducts plan reviews, license and inspect facilities under the “Agent of the State” contract with the State Division of Public Health, the State Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Instruction and Department of Natural Resources to determine compliance with public health statutes, regulations, and codes. 
2. Investigates citizen complaints regarding environmental issues to determine the existence of a human health hazard in accordance with WI State Statutes. 
3. Assists in initiating human health hazard abatement orders to correct environmental conditions. 
4. Performs inspections and provide consultation on a variety of environmental health issues, including well water, radon, pest control and air quality. 
5. Assists in the development and provision of a variety of public health programs, such as food service training and air/water quality control measures. 
6. Maintains records and prepares reports in accordance with “Agent of the State” establishments and environmental investigations. 
7. Provides informational and education services to county citizens, officials and other departments. 
8. Attends town and municipality meetings upon request to present information to municipal officials and to the public regarding Environmental Health programs.  
9. Develops policies and procedures for all environmental and Sanitarian services. 
10. Develop policies and procedures for DHHS-Public Health Services Emergency Preparedness. 
11. Assist in the development and provision of a variety of public health programs, such as food service training and air/water quality control measures. 
12. Inspects wells and sample water at transient non-community water systems under contract with the DNR.  
13. Assumes Health Officer duties as assigned. 
14. Performs quality improvement projects as assigned. 
15. Plans work and provide training to environmental health interns. 
16. Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of environmental sanitation, microbiology, and chemistry and biological sciences. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comprehend and interpret applicable statues, regulations, ordinances, codes, policies and procedures. 
• Knowledge and ability to implement enforcement action when violations of statutes, regulations, ordinances, policies and procedures are in non-compliance. 
• Ability to perform thorough investigations and inspections and to analyze and interpret them effectively to ensure public health. 
• Ability to correctly interpret analysis results of samples collected. 
• Knowledge of epidemiology as it relates to environmental sanitation.  
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.  
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.  
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.  
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.   
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.  
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.  
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.  
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.  
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.  
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.  
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.  
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.  
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.  
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.  
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records laws.  
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.  

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications 

Sanitarian I 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or related degree in environmental, physical, chemical or biological sciences. 
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in Public Health, preferably in environmental services/inspections. 
• Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background checks.
• Must possess and maintain valid WI Driver’s License. 

Sanitarian II 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or related degree in environmental, physical, chemical or biological sciences. 
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in Public Health, preferably in environmental services/inspections. 
• Must be Registered Sanitarian by the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. 
• Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background checks. 

Must possess and maintain valid WI Driver’s License. 

Physical and Work Environment 

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.   

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. 
• Work has standard vision requirements. 
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. 
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. 
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities. 
• Work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions during inspections. Exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to vibration. 
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting and outdoors during inspections.  

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.