Health Inspector - (Environmental & Occupational Health Division) - Boston Public Health Commission

Role

The Health Inspector plays a vital role in meeting the BPHC's mission of protecting the health and well-being of Boston residents. Daily, the Inspector visits homes, businesses, and public spaces to conduct environmental inspections either in response to resident complaints/concerns or as part of routine regulation of permitted businesses. As a result, some work is performed in narrow/crowded areas, areas with moving machinery, hot or cold areas, or areas with poor ventilation. Wearing personal protective equipment and utilizing specialized sampling and monitoring equipment, the Inspector investigates potential sources of public health hazards. When violations of environmental regulations are found, the Inspector issues orders to correct to the responsible party and prepares case documentation for legal enforcement. Through ordering landlords to correct lead or mold hazards in rental units, to enforcing ventilation standards in nail salons, to emergency response to chemical spills; the Inspector is the first line of defense against environmental hazards for Bostonians.

Duties


* Investigates potential environmental health hazards based on public complaints and routine process and takes necessary actions for remediation.
* Conducts inspections and manages cases according to regulations and protocols established by federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies to identify and ensure correction of Environmental Health Hazards.
* Conducts indoor and outdoor field investigations by interview, visual/olfactory/auditory observation, sample collection for laboratory analysis, electronic data collection of observation notes and photographs, and environmental testing using field-portable monitors.
* Documents case histories in program database(s) and prepares reports.
* Conducts assessments of health hazards and recommends courses of action.
* Conducts toxicological evaluations and health risk assessments of exposure to environmental pollutants.
* Works as a member of a team and participates in case studies.
* Responds to environmental emergencies during normal hours and after hours when on emergency on-call status.
* Communicates effectively with local, state, and federal agencies as well as the general public regarding environmental health and toxic chemicals.
* Carries monitoring equipment (weighing up to 20lbs) to and around inspection sites.
* Enters areas of biological/chemical/physical environmental hazards wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and respiratory protection.
* Coordinates activities with other government agencies, commissions, and authorities.
* Reviews and analyzes reports generated by environmental consultants.
* Maintains necessary training, licensing, and certification as required by job duties and pertinent regulations.
* Performs permitting inspections, hazard investigations, and enforcement activities for programs including but not limited to mold, bed bugs, chemical exposures, asbestos, lead, body art, tanning facilities, nail salons, trans fat, ice rinks, solid waste facilities, schools, marijuana dispensaries, and funeral homes.
* Conducts community education and outreach.
* Counsels and mediates between landlords, tenants, contractors, and the general public.
* Research corporate ownership, real estate ownership, health hazards and related laws and regulations.
* Calibrates & maintains field monitoring/sampling instruments.
* Performs other duties as required.





* BA/BS with a science or related background required, except that certain inspectional certifications or licenses and 10 or more years of related experience may be substituted for the degree.
* Maintenance of a valid MA driver's license and a legally operable automobile for daily use traveling to inspection sites required.
* Familiarity with Boston neighborhoods preferred.
* Must maintain professional licensure and/or professional certifications as required by job duties and governing regulations including MA Licensed Lead Inspector and MA Licensed Asbestos Inspector. Candidates already possessing these licenses are preferred. However, training will be provided at no cost to candidates without these licenses.
* Must obtain required licenses within five months of hire and maintain licensure.
* Acquisition and maintenance of any other training and certification that may become required for the performance of job duties.
* 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training will be provided and must be completed within 3 months of hire. Candidates already possessing this training certification are preferred.
* Within 1 month of hire and annually thereafter, the successful candidate must successfully receive medical clearance to wear respiratory protection and complete fit testing on commonly used (N95 mask, half-face respirator, full-face respirator, PAPR respirator) respiratory protection devices.
* Previous experience in counseling, inspection and hazard abatement is preferred.
* Prior knowledge of Massachusetts Sanitary Code and of lead health inspection laws, codes and regulations preferred.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to maintain accurate records and generate written reports required.
* Multilingual preferred (Spanish-speaking strongly preferred).

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled