Working Title: Drinking Water Protection Sanitarian
Job Class: Public Health Sanitarian 3
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 90395
Location : Mankato
Telework Eligible : Yes, partial
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers - bidders will be considered simultaneously.
Date Posted : 11/24/2025
Closing Date : 12/01/2025
Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Division/Unit : Environmental Health / Drinking Water Protection / Non Community Water Supply Unit
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am-4:30pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 75% of the time
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Drinking Water Protection (DWP) Section is seeking a dedicated Public Health Sanitarian 3 to help protect public health by ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water across Minnesota. This position plays a critical role in implementing and enforcing the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and related state regulations for noncommunity public water systems, including schools, daycares, restaurants, parks, resorts, and other facilities that provide drinking water to the public.
As a DWP Sanitarian, you will independently conduct sanitary surveys, water sampling, compliance assessments, and contamination investigations within an assigned geographic region. The position requires strong technical skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to build trusted relationships with water system operators and partner agencies while also enforcing state and federal regulations when needed.
Primary Responsibilities
Conduct sanitary surveys and technical inspections of noncommunity public water systems to assess compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), identify deficiencies, and ensure the delivery of safe, potable water.
Collect, analyze, and manage drinking water samples in accordance with federal and state requirements, interpret laboratory results, and provide follow-up technical assistance and corrective action guidance to water system operators.
Investigate waterborne illness reports, contamination events, and public health complaints, determine potential risks or regulatory violations, and initiate necessary corrective and enforcement actions to protect public health.
Provide technical assistance, training, and communication to water system operators, local health agencies, and other partners regarding SDWA compliance, water system operations, and regulatory requirements.
Document regulatory compliance activities and support enforcement actions, including preparing inspection reports, maintaining data in the Minnesota Drinking Water Information System (MNDWIS), and assisting with formal enforcement proceedings when necessary.
Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of professional experience working as an environmental health specialist or sanitarian; AND
Possession of a current Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential issued by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
Candidates who hold a master's degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field will receive credit for six (6) months of qualifying professional experience.
Candidates who hold a doctoral degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, chemistry, biology, or other related environmental health field will receive credit for twelve (12) months of qualifying professional experience.
Additional minimum qualifications to be assessed during the interview:
Professional writing skills sufficient to demonstrate communicate intricate concepts in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
Independent critical thinking and professional judgment necessary to conduct complex inspections, monitoring, and evaluations.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience conducting sanitary surveys or regulatory inspections.
Knowledge of hydrology, geology, water treatment processes, or environmental sampling protocols.
Experience with GIS, GPS data collection, MNDWIS, or other water system databases.
Experience conducting investigations related to environmental or waterborne illnesses.
Physical Requirements
Ability to travel statewide, including occasional overnight travel.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and traverse uneven terrain.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds of equipment or samples.
Flexibility to adjust work schedules to accommodate water system availability and travel needs.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
This position does not require a driver's license but demands some travel that the candidate is responsible for meeting.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
