Director of Public Health Services - Town of Oxford

Requisition Code: DIRPUBH
Salary: Negotiable
Reports to: Town Manager
Date: August 1, 2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective
The Director of Public Health Services (“Director”) is responsible for administrative, technical, inspection, managerial and supervisory work in planning and managing the Town’s public health programs, inspection work and enforcement of state and local health laws and regulations. The Director works under the administrative direction of the Town Manager and the policy direction of the Board of Health, in accordance with state statutes and local bylaws and regulations. The position supervises one full-time and one part time employee and related Health Services. .

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provides professional staff assistance to the Board of Health; plans and directs public health programs and activities; provides public education through presentations, meeting participation and material composition and dissemination; and develops, implements and oversees departmental projects and programs
• Acts as agent for the Board of Health in assigned matters relating to the control and efficient administration of Town public health matters
• Provides consultation and planning regarding disease prevention and control. Able to use MAVEN
• Initiates enforcement proceedings in connection with environmental health violations; handles complaints and investigates nuisance allegations; conducts inspections and responds to emergency health situations as needed, 24 hours per day; and maintains public health records and prepares reports, contracts, and court cases
• Approves environmental health permits, licenses and contracts; reviews plans for new food service establishments; inspects restaurants and other food handling and processing establishments; inspects retail convenience stores, public swimming areas or pools, swimming pool construction, tanning beds, bodyworks establishments, and other areas required by law; and oversees the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program locally and opioid funding
• Inspects dwellings for compliance with the Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, certifying violations, issuing orders, holding hearings, granting variances and instituting court proceeding if necessary to ensure compliance
• Maintains up to date knowledge of public health and related issues, laws, regulations and requirements through continuing education, maintaining effective, efficient, current operations and records to achieve department and town wide goals; Informs the Board of Health of problems affecting public health; regularly reports the health conditions of the town to state and local agencies and civic organizations.
• Research, present, and submit grants to support public health in the community and manage any grants received
• Performs related duties as required

Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of all federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to public health and safety applicable to the Town
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of planning, supervising and evaluating community-based public health programs; considerable knowledge of the materials, methods, safety precautions and techniques related to disease control and public health inspections
• Working knowledge of Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and State Ethics Law
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) and professionally with, and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with members of the community, Town officials, business owners, employees and staff, governmental and school representatives
• Ability to effectively, respectfully and impartially enforce state public health and safety laws and regulations
• Leadership ability, strong interpersonal skills, and a high degree of motivation, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Ability to work in high pressure situations, as necessary
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and pay careful attention to details despite interruptions; maintain confidential information, work independently. Ability to plan and effectively manage Department budget
• Honesty, reliability, patience, discretion, and good judgment essential
• Proficiency in computer systems, word processing, spreadsheet and database software and equipment used by the Department.

Supervision
This position is under the daily direction of the Town Manager. The applicant must be familiar with the work routine and use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instructions. The supervisor provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods.

Work Environment
Work is performed under both office conditions and off-site fieldwork. Office may have regular interruptions. Fieldwork is conducted under varying weather and other conditions with exposure to some occupational risks, and requires local travel. The workload is subject to both predicted and unplanned fluctuations. Employee may have access to confidential information, which cannot be given out to unauthorized persons. Employee is required to interact and communicate frequently with the public, government officials, other staff members and boards, contractors and/or third parties transacting business with the Town. May be required to work outside of normal business hours to accommodate evening office hours, seasonal fluctuations, and off-site appointments; will be required to attend night meetings as needed. Employee is on call at all times to respond to health-related emergencies.

Physical Demands
Moderate physical effort required while conducting fieldwork; must be able to access all areas of inspection site, which frequently includes hard-to-reach areas or areas of limited space. Lifts/moves objects and weighing up to 10 pounds. Required to frequently stand, walk, sit, speak, hear and use hands to operate standard office equipment and hand tools. Vision requirements include ability to read routine documents and view a computer monitor.

Hours
Negotiable.

Travel

• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license required. Local travel is expected for this position.
• Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor/Master’s Degree in Public Health or related field. Five years of experience as a health agent, director or sanitarian in a public health department or any equivalent combination of training and experience preferred. Must have a minimum of some supervisory experience.

Additional certifications (or ability to obtain within one year):

• Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian and/or Certified Health Officer
• Lead Determinator
• Soil Evaluator Certification
• Food Protection Manager
• Certified Pool Operation

Work Authorization
Provide appropriate documentation to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

AAP/EEO Statement
The Town is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. The Town will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-protected class status, including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation as defined by law, national origin, member of uniformed military services, physical or mental disability, age as defined by law, or genetic information.

Other Duties
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.