Regional Inspector

Regional Inspector

Location

Fall River, Seekonk, Swansea, Somerset -Southcoast Public Health Coalition (Southcoast)

Caveat 

This position is grant funded and is subject to appropriation under the Massachusetts Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services, Department of Public Health.

Hours 

40 hours per week

Salary 

$62,857.15 (AFSCME Union)

Submission Instructions

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your experience and interest in  the role as a PDF to Nick Macolini, Director of Human Resources at namacolini@fallriverma.gov.

Essential Functions

The City of Fall River via Southcoast seeks a Regional Inspector to work with the city  of Fall River and the towns of Seekonk, Swansea and Somerset. Southcoast, based out of the city of Fall River, is a dynamic shared public health  initiative among  the  towns. This inspector will be part of a collaborative response to manage and perform  essential public health inspections necessary to support healthier communities.  This position will conduct work in all four communities, but be an employee of the  City of Fall River.

The Regional Inspector will carry out a variety of Environmental, Community, and  Public Health program responsibilities. They will be responsible for the performance  of technical and inspectional work to promote and protect the public health of our residents through the enforcement of state and  local public health laws and  regulations as well as providing public  health  education.

Roles & Responsibilities

The essential functions or duties listed below 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.

• Enforce state and local public health laws, rules, and regulations including but  not limited to food service establishments, housing, nuisances (air, odor, trash, noise, etc.), tanning, swimming pools, bathing beaches, recreational camps for children, lodging houses, group homes, tobacco retailers, body arts establishments, bodywork establishments, marijuana retailers,  lead paint,  keepers of animals, and private drinking water wells.
• Audit regional inspectional documentation related to Food Protection, Housing, Nuisances, and Swimming Pools-related backup documentation requested  (e.g., Inspection Reports, Corrective Orders, Condemnation Orders, HACCP/School/ Frozen Dessert Inspections to improve record-keeping, administration,  and  content.
• Inspect food service establishments and retail stores for compliance with state sanitary code; monitors food establishment test results. Conduct food establishment complaints and food-borne illness investigations, contact state officials, and consult with physicians and lawyers; submit required  reports  and  final analyses to appropriate state and local departments or agencies.
• Perform comprehensive plan reviews for food establishments prior to opening, for renovations, or for change of ownership.
• Perform plan reviews and inspections for all new construction and renovations of  swimming pools.
• Conduct housing inspections to ensure properties conform to state sanitary code. Inspect rental units and properties subject to public complaints as part of routine sanitary code enforcement.
• Plan and conduct health and environmental investigations, including collecting recreational water samples for bacterial analysis. Initiates remedial and enforcement procedures as necessary.
• Prepare order letters seeking enforcement of violations. Prepare documents in support of public health hearings and department enforcement actions, hearings, and legal actions as well as presentation of public health rationale for enforcement in court.
• Collaborate on strategy development of a regional food truck permitting system.
• Contribute to the development of a regional food code violation intervention plan.
• Serve as a public health educator, conducting food service seminars, swimming pool seminars, and rabies awareness seminars in schools.
• Maintain knowledge and expertise in relevant areas of public health, housing, and environmental issues in order to maintain required licenses and certifications and changes in pertinent public health laws and regulations as well as enforcement practices.
• Assist and participates in the organization and development of the department’s emergency preparedness programs.
• Participate in public health programs in the community as required.

Judgement & Complexity

The work requires examining, analyzing, and evaluating facts and  circumstances  surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining  actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices, regulations and precedents which may be complex. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate  actions. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local  regulations.

Supervision Received

Work under the general supervision of Fall River Health and Human Services Directorin accordance with applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Board of Health regulations, and town bylaws, state, and federal regulations.

Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, public health, or a related field; and one to three (1-3) years’ experience in a related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

Valid Class D motor vehicle driver’s license.

Special Requirements within 3 years  of hiring

• Registered Sanitarian (RS) or equivalent
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
• Soil Evaluator,
• Lead Determinator
• ServSafe
• Housing Inspection training.
• Certified maintenance of continuing education credits (CEUs) is required for ongoing recertification of all required credentials.

Knowledge, Ability, and Skills

 

Knowledge

Thorough knowledge of state environmental code, food service regulations, and all  other laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to public health and sanitation.  Thorough knowledge of State septic system guidelines; working knowledge of current inspection and control procedures.

Ability

Ability to meet and work with municipal colleagues and the public effectively and appropriately; demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals. Ability to effectively handle problems in the field and during emergencies; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a computer; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal employees, Town officials, state regulatory agencies and members of the public. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed and  organized manner. Ability to enforce laws and regulations in an impartial manner  and consistent manner. Must be capable of working independently, taking  initiative, and collaborating effectively with stakeholders and colleagues.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills; Intermediate or higher-level skill in Microsoft Office suite; proficient oral and written communication skills. Communication skills, including but not limited to comfort speaking languages other than English, or using translation services to communicate with community members.

Nature & Purpose of Contacts

Relationships are with coworkers, vendors, the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.

Physical Requirements

(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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Physical Skills 

Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting objects and carrying them. There also may be a need for the employee to stretch and reach in order to retrieve materials.

Motor Skills

Position requires minimal motor skills for activities such as: operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, moving objects, sorting papers, or operating a motor vehicle.

Visual Skills

Position requires routine reading of documents and reports for understanding. The employee is required to determine color differences.

Work Environment

Working conditions involve occasional exposure to elements found in the field, such as work sites, walking property to inspect, construction sites, etc. The employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours, when necessary.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and  many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.