Sanitarian I (Land and Water)

Ingham County Human Resources • Lansing, MI • 2h ago

Description

Under the supervision of an Environmental Health Programs Supervisor, inspects commercial, residential, and public locations in the County to enforce federal, state and County sanitation and environmental health laws to safeguard the public health. Investigates complaints of violations of environmental health laws and assists the public with complaints and questions regarding sanitation and environmental health matters.

Essential Functions

Inspects and determines eligibility for required licenses and permits to operate food service establishments, food vending machines, Type II public water supplies, public swimming pools, mobile home parks, campgrounds, waste disposal sites, child care institutions, tattoo facilities, and other businesses. Orders the correction of deficiencies and conducts follow-up inspections to verify compliance with corrective orders.

Educates food service managers by reviewing menus and discussing pertinent and critical points and ways to apply them, implementing consumer advisories as indicated, reviewing employee hygiene policies, determining the level of food service knowledge of people in charge, determining if a facility serves highly susceptible populations and restricting menus accordingly, and presenting food service sanitation classes periodically.

Consults with applicants for permits to construct on-site wastewater treatment (septic tank) systems. Evaluates soil @types and other site conditions for workable waste water absorption facility and authorizes or denies permits. Designs systems when issuing permit and inspects during or after construction for compliance with permit requirements and Sanitary Code provisions.

Assists the general public in the office or by telephone with their complaints and questions regarding sanitation and environmental health matters. Gives advice on the prevention and resolution of problem matters and responds to complaints regarding potential environmental concerns.

Evaluates sites to determine suitability for water well development. Authorizes or denies permits for well drilling, consults on requirements for plugging abandoned wells, samples well water, and interprets laboratory analysis.

Evaluates existing wells and on-site sewage treatment systems prior to sale. Recommends corrective procedures or repairs, consults on reconstruction of defective or failing systems, and certifies findings to lending agency or institution.

Makes site visits to facilities that store, handle, use, transport, or dispose of hazardous or potentially polluting materials. Makes recommendations for compliance with appropriate hazardous material handling requirements.

Assists citizens and industries in the proper handling of hazardous and potentially polluting materials.

Inspects public swimming pools during operation, measures certain chemical properties of water, and evaluates health and safety protection of swimmers. May recommend closure or reopening when conditions warrant. Inspects and samples public bathing beaches.

Submits pertinent reports on inspection activities and recommends action in cases where violations of health related laws or regulations have occurred. May participate as a witness in court cases.

Examines plans and specifications for new construction or remodeling of licensed establishments for adherence to environmental health standards such as detailed calculations of ventilation equipment designs.

Investigates outbreaks of food-borne disease to determine causative factors and sources of infection. Initiates actions to minimize recurrence.

Investigates complaints involving environmental health hazards or nuisances, and initiates actions to abate or prevent such conditions. Consults with individuals, citizen groups, and agencies regarding prevention of health haz