Information
Summary
The New Bedford Health Department is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and health equity, preventing, and responding to disease, and ensuring safe and sanitary environments that protect our diverse, multicultural community through services, outreach, and regulations.
The Assistant Project Manager will serve as operational support to the Environmental Health Program Director, in relation to implementing the Public Health Excellence grant and other duties as described. This position will coordinate municipal agreements and shared services among New Bedford, Acushnet, and Fairhaven, through assisting the Program Director with the continuity of sanitation, inspection, public health and hygiene services for businesses, residences, and public and private facilities across the region.
The ideal candidate has experience in the following competencies: administrative assistance, personnel support, knowledge of state and local regulations relative to environmental health services, program implementation and coordination or workforce, professional development, as well as state, and local board of health reporting.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervision Scope
Assists in supervision of all field inspectors.
Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the Environmental Health Program Director and the Assistant Director of Health
Supervision Given
Provides guidance and overview of City of New Bedford Public Health Codes. No specific Supervisory over any employee.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Collaborates with interdepartmental staff to provide guidance or training for matters involving environmental sanitation, food and public health inspections and regulations.
- Provides operational support and assists with the assignment of daily work orders to the appropriate sanitarians, when requested and as directed by the Environmental Health Program Director.
- Conducts and leads inspections of facilities to ensure compliance with State and local health regulations; inspects buildings for human habitation.
- Regularly performs and leads initial and follow-up field inspections of food establishments and bakeries; inspects for insect and rodent control, tobacco control, food recalls, air, water and noise pollution, unsanitary conditions; also inspects septic systems and swimming pools and all other businesses permitted/licenses by the Board of Health.
- Collects food samples and performs swab tests to determine the wholesomeness of food in regard to its preparation, storage, handling serving, transportation, etc.
- May be required to collect samples in the field for laboratory analysis to monitor a variety of health issues and ensure compliance with public health standards.
- Interviews individuals who file complaints involving pollution control and violations of sanitation and environmental health laws and regulations.
- Notifies owners of violations and establishes a timeframe to correct violations.
- Enforces compliance with State and local rules and regulations; writes detailed technical reports on all violations, complaints, and inspections in accordance with established procedures.
- Initiates litigation and provides testimony to ensure abatement of public health violations and enforcement of applicable State and local regulations.
- Attends meetings between departments; provides assistance and case updates.
- Participates in Emergency Preparedness trainings, drills and exercises as needed.
- Receives and distributes communications from the Homeland Health Alert network (HHAN).
- Prepares and provides public health education materials and lectures.
- Provides effective and efficient customer service and promotes and maintains responsive community and working relations.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
- This position is deemed essential personnel and must report to work during emergency situations.
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 City of New Bedford and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.
Competencies
- Leadership
- Independent Judgement
- Thoroughness & Attention to Detail
- Communication Proficiency
- Customer Service
- Organizational Skills
- Public Speaking
- Expert Reporting
- Multi-Lingual
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Baccalaureate of Science degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Laboratory Science or a related field.
- At least four years of technical or professional experience in food service sanitation, a building trade, environmental sanitation, or related field
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience on a year-for-year basis. Preference will be given to Registered Sanitarians
Licensing/Certification
- Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record. Operates a motor vehicle on a regular basis and subject to drug/alcohol testing.
- Registered Sanitarian or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
- ServSafe Certification; Allergen Certification; Certified Pool Operator; Soil Evaluator; System Inspector (ability to obtain all certifications within 24 months of hire)
Required Skills and Abilities
- Sound knowledge of applicable health-related laws, regulations, and ordinances.
- Ability to establish and maintain an excellent and effective professional working relationship with Health Department Leadership, department staff, Mayor, other municipal government agencies, and members of the public.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively and productively in a team atmosphere, demonstrating initiative and drive.
- Expert computer skills and thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook and ability to learn municipal software such as Lucity, View Permit, etc.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
- Ability to embrace the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Health Department’s mission and organizational values.
Tools and Equipment Used
Computers, including Microsoft Office 365 Suite; calculators; phones; copiers; and other general office equipment. Software, including OpenGov, Lucity
Special Requirements
- Criminal Offender Record Investigation (CORI) background check mandatory.
- Drug & Alcohol Testing: The City of New Bedford has a reasonable, uniformly, and consistently enforced Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle on a regular basis, is subject to the Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy and any violation will result in termination.
- Bi-Lingual or Multi-Lingual (Spanish, Portuguese, or Creole preferred)
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office setting. Workload and stress levels vary dramatically. The Assistant Project Manager of Environmental Health makes constant contact with other staff, members of the public and City departments. This requires excellent customer service skills. The Assistant Project Manager of Environmental Health has access to confidential information about employees and other sensitive information. The Assistant Project Manager of Environmental Health is expected to operate in an environment where errors can be costly with regard to efficiency of the operation
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment and exposures described here 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.
The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time but may walk or stand for brief periods of time periods. Employees may exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally including having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
Work Hours
This is a full-time - exempt position with typical 40 hours per week, varied schedules, with required availability for after normal hours of operation during emergencies and other departmental critical needs.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice as needed by the City of New Bedford within the scope of departmental needs. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.