Health Agent

The Town of Edgartown is accepting applications for the position of Health Agent. This position works under the general oversight and direction of the Board of Health in accordance with state, federal and local laws, rules and regulations. This is a professional, administrative and supervisory position as well as a technical position performing inspections, planning and managing the town’s public health program, overseeing and conducting disease surveillance and control programs, promoting and governing safe and sanitary housing conditions, protection of the environment from damage and pollution through education, administration and enforcement of public health laws and regulations. The Health Agent supervises up to two full time staff as well as participating in the shared supervision of three grant funded positions serving all Martha’s Vineyard boards of health through a regional grant. The Health Agent’s work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field in the areas of public health and environmental protection. The employee may be required to work outside of normal business hours and/or on weekends in response to emergencies, special events or to attend various board or committee meetings. Educational and experience requirements: Bachelor’s of Science Degree in public health or biological sciences or related field; three to five years of experience in public health with at least two years in an administrative capacity involving state environmental or public health code inspections and enforcement; including the state sanitary code, on-site wastewater disposal, solid waste disposal, air and water quality; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Certifications or licenses required: must hold or be qualified to take the exams for Registered Sanitarian or Certified Health Officer, Certified Soil Evaluator, Certified Septic System Inspector, Lead Determinator, Food Safety Manager certification and hold a valid driver’s license. This is a full time, department head position with full benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.

Applications and a job description are available on the website: https://www.edgartown-ma.us/departments/jobs or Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM in the Human Resource Office, First Floor, Edgartown Town Hall. Town of Edgartown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Deadline for applications: position to remain open until filled.

DEFINITION

Professional, administrative, supervisory and technical inspection work in planning and managing the town’s public health, disease control programs, promotion of sanitary conditions, protection of the environment from damage and pollution, and enforcement of public health laws and regulations.

Board of Health

Health Agent

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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.

• Oversees the day to day operation of the Board of Health Department
• Reviews permit applications, issues permits, inspects work for compliance
• Participates in and represents the Town in regional efforts related to public health initiatives
• Monitors, responds and tracks residents and situations that are in need of human service programs and oversees programs and delivery of services related to health and human services.
• Investigates and responds to complaints under the jurisdiction of the BOH and cause correction of violations when necessary through informal and formal means. May coordinate with other departments or inspectors.
• Educates constituents on the benefits of adhering to rules, regulations, guidelines and recommendations on a variety of health topics, including safe food handling, tick borne illness, and environmental protection
• Informs and advises the BOH members on topics before them
• Administers and enforces federal, state, and local public health laws and regulations in accordance with respective statutes, regulations, and policies.Represents the Board of Health in the normal course of conducting business and in emergencies with other Town departments, state, and federal agencies.
• Creates and maintains programs and procedures for enforcement and permit record systems, licensing, control, inspections, program evaluation and fee collection
• Reviews and inspects septic systems, food service establishments, and private sanitary sewer collection and disposal systems in accordance with sanitary and State Title V regulation. Investigates private water supplies for conformance with state and local regulations.
• Attends professional meetings and training programs to maintain professional certification.
• Conducts inspections of various facilities including private homes, schools, nursing homes, camps, recreational areas, swimming areas, disposal of solid waste, restaurants, food service establishments, or other areas in response to complaints; investigates complaints, initiates actions to correct violations or hazards dangerous to the public health.
• Supervises the observance of quarantine regulations or other communicable disease follow-up; organizes and assists in the administration of clinics and other prevention programs.
• Conducts public health training for various organizations.
• Prepares and administers the department's annual operating budget and the preparation of department’s annual report.
• Investigates and submits reports to the appropriate agency regarding reports of communicable diseases.
• Participates in enforcement action and/or legal proceedings on behalf of the Board of Health to ensure enforcement and compliance with applicable laws and regulation
• Perform a variety of related duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under administrative direction of the Board of Health, the incumbent works from policies, goals, and objectives; establishes short-range plans and objectives, departmental performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results; consults with the Board only where clarification, interpretation, or exception to policy may be required or as requested by the supervisor. The incumbent exercises control in the development of departmental policies, goals, objectives and budgets and is expected to resolve all conflicts which arise and coordinate with others as necessary.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The manager is accountable for the direction and success of departmental programs. Responsible for analyzing program objectives, determining the various departmental work operations needed to achieve them, estimating the financial and staff resources required, allocating the available funds and staff, reporting periodically on the achievement and status of the program objective; and recommending new goals. The incumbent typically formulates or recommends program goals and develops plans for achieving short and long-range objectives; determines organizational structure, operating guidelines and work operations; formulates, prepares and defends budget and manpower requests and accounts for effective use of funds and staff provided; coordinates program efforts within the unit and with other departments; delegates authority to subordinate supervisors and holds them responsible for the performance of their unit's work; reviews work in terms of accomplishment of program objectives and progress reports, approves standards establishing quality and quantity of work; and assists or oversees the personnel function, including or effectively recommending hiring, training, and disciplining of employees.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Duties include responsibility for technical processes, service delivery, and contribution to plans and objectives and fiscal responsibility for the department, including buildings, equipment and staffing utilization. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment could jeopardize department operations, public health and well-being or have financial and legal repercussions.

JUDGMENT

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 and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of employing many different concepts, theories, principles, techniques and practices relating to an administrative field. Assignments typically concern such matters as studying trends in the field for application to the work; assessing services and recommending improvements.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority 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.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Incumbent has access at the departmental level to a variety of sensitive and confidential information, particularly as it relates to human service and illness.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Health or Biological Sciences and three years of related experience, preferably in a municipality; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a valid driver’s license.

The following licenses are preferred: Registered Sanitarian, Certified Health Officer, Certified Soil Evaluator, Certification in Safe Food Handling, Septic System Inspector, Certified Pool Operator

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS

Must have thorough knowledge of the federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to public health. Thorough knowledge of approved methods and equipment used in handling food and milk and environmental health protection. Thorough knowledge of current inspection and disease control procedures.

Must have ability to enforce and interpret regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Ability to use a computer. Ability to interpret legal documents, including statutes and regulations and building plans. Ability to work with others in a teamwork approach to accomplishing tasks.

Must have excellent planning and organizational skills. Excellent employee relations and customer skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks often under pressure... Basic business mathematical, spelling, and negotiations skills. Strong interpersonal skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working conditions involve occasional exposure to elements found in the field, such as work sites, walking property to inspect, construction sites, etc. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to emergency situations or to attend evening meetings.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

The work involves sitting, standing, walking and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. When working in the field, must be able to traverse various topographies, lift manhole covers and exert physical effort to conduct inspection tasks.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, computers, handheld technology, tools and equipment.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.