Occ. Code 6463100
PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR, GRADE 11
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
Public Health Inspectors at the Department of Health (DOH) conduct physical inspections of facilities and public spaces to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and State Sanitary Code found in Public Health Law. Inspections relate to such topics as drinking water quality, lead poisoning prevention, cleanliness of food service establishments, beach and swimming pool safety, radiation protection, temporary residences, tobacco smoke exposure, tattoo parlors, and tanning facilities.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR: entry level; reporting to a Public Health Sanitarian or Senior Sanitarian, conducts inspections of facilities and public spaces to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and the State Sanitary Code. Positions are typically filled on a seasonal basis.
RELATED CLASSES
There are various classes that perform inspection functions. Examples of other classes include Farm Products, Horticultural, and Food Inspectors at the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Safety & Health and Boiler Inspectors at the Department of Labor.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
Utilizing checklists and written procedures, performs inspections, gathers information, records observations, and notes violations to ensure facilities compliance with various provisions of the State Sanitary Code.
· Inspects the interior and exterior of facilities, and records observations regarding such items as cleanliness; the state of sleeping, water, and sanitary facilities; state of repair; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sources and supplies; possible sources of contamination and disease; and availability of waste containers.
· Inspects water supplies and records observations on availability, design, state of repair, taste, location of source in relation to sanitary facilities, and adequacy of water pressure.
· Inspects treatment and disposal of sewage for compliance with relevant permits, and records the method of treatment, presence of inadequately treated sewage, and any chemicals, dusts, or sprays used.
· Inspects the cleanliness and operation of food storage, cooking, refrigeration, and service areas, and utensils, containers, ovens, and the content of menus for compliance with provisions of the State Sanitary Code and relevant permits.
· Inspects beaches and swimming pools for the availability of safety markings and materials, first aid, and bathroom and waste disposal facilities; and records potential hazards, obstacles, and cleanliness of the water and surrounding area.
· Inspects facilities and public spaces for compliance with regulations relating to exposure to tobacco products, radiation, and clean indoor air; and lead poisoning prevention.
Reviews inspection findings, writes reports, and instructs facility operators regarding violations and corrective action; conducts follow-up inspections to ensure remediation.
Advises supervisor on situations requiring immediate action.
Responds verbally and in writing to permit and violation questions; may testify as a witness in court for enforcement actions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Open Competitive: Two years of experience in a position involved with environmental health or sanitation work, or medical or laboratory technology, and 12 college credit hours in the natural sciences, or in an acceptable applied science.
Date: 12/2019
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.