Environmental Health Specialist

Salary : $90,000.00 Annually

Location : City of Danbury, CT

Job Type : Full Time Position

Job Number : 00516

Department : HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Opening Date : 10 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 11 / 4 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Description

The City of Danbury is announcing an opening for the position of

Environmental Health Specialist

Statement of Duties : Employee is responsible for the performance of technical and inspectional work to promote and protect the public health through the review, inspection, and enforcement of State and local public health laws and regulations as well as providing public health education. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Supervision Required : Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Environmental Health, the employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently with specific instruction. The supervisor provides additional, specific instruction for new, difficult or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods. The employee is expected to recognize instances which are out of the ordinary and which do not fall within existing instructions; in such cases, the employee is expected to seek advice and further instructions. Reviews and checks of the employee's work are applied to an extent sufficient to keep the supervisor aware of progress, and to ensure that completed work and methods used are technically accurate and that instructions are being followed.

Supervisory Responsibility : Employee is not required to regularly supervise any employees. The Employee may be directed to perform training of other environmental staff as assigned by the supervisor.

Confidentiality : Employee has regular access to confidential information in accordance with such as department and client records related to communicable diseases and legal actions.

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. Employees are expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

Complexity : The work consists of employing many different concepts, theories, principles, techniques and practices. Assignments typically concern such matters as studying trends in the field for application to the work; assessing services and recommending improvements. Prepares documents for public health hearings and legal actions taken by the Department.

Work Environment : Working conditions involve regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions as well as intermittent machine or related noise or a combination of unpleasant elements such as confined spaces / high places, biohazards, radiation, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, biohazards, traffic, electricity, loud noises, dirt or grease when conducting field inspections. Employee may occasionally be required to work at heights or in confined or cramped quarters, or work around machinery and its moving parts. The employee is required to work beyond normal business hours in response to planned or natural emergency situations and to attend evening meetings.

Nature and Purpose of Relationships : Relationships are primarily with co-workers and the public involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations such as vendors, banks and / or developers / contractors. Extraordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with uncooperative persons.

Accountability : The nature of work increases the probability that errors could be serious. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment include significant monetary losses, waste of material, legal repercussions, and or personal injury when exposed to communicable diseases or other hazardous materials.

Occupational Risk : Essential functions regularly present potential risk of personal injury which could result in loss of time from work including personal injury when exposed to communicable diseases and other hazardous materials and when safety protocols are not followed. Special safety precautions, training, or protective clothing such as gowns, coats, gloves, hard hats, glasses, or safety boots may be required.

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.

• Enforces state and local public health laws, rules, and regulations including but not limited to food service establishments, housing, nuisances (air, odor, trash, noise etc.), tanning, swimming pools, bathing beaches, recreational camps for children, lodging houses, group homes - onsite sewage treatment disposal systems (perc tests) etc.; investigates and reports cases of diseases dangerous to public health.
• Witnesses and inspects the installation of septic systems and performs soil evaluations.
• Supervises operations performed by professional engineers and sanitarians on deep test holes, percolation tests, and soil evaluations.
• Reviews and approves plans submitted by engineers or septic installers for other boards / departments and submits reports when necessary.
• Reviews septic design plans for code requirements, assuring compliance and issuing permits, consults with engineers to suggest / support appropriate design, and submits recommendations to the Health Director on variance approvals and related conditions.
• Signs permit to discharge for septic applications as permitted by a Registered Sanitarian Certification.
• Responds and investigates complaints of septic system failures, inspects work in progress and building addition plans, subdivisions, and site preparation for building lots being developed, writes reports, and provides necessary follow-up to enforce regulations.
• Participates in the department's public health education programs (e.g., Qualified Food Operator Certification) in the community as required.
• Responds to a variety of public complaints regarding public health issues; may investigate complaints of inadequate housing conditions.
• Conducts foodborne illness investigations, contacts state officials, and consults with physicians and lawyers; submits required reports and final analysis to appropriate state and local departments or agencies.
• Plans and conducts health and environmental investigations, including collecting recreational water samples for bacterial analysis. Initiates remedial and enforcement procedures as necessary.
• Reviews and approves plans for the construction of new food service establishments or the remodeling of existing facilities.
• Inspects all food service establishments and retail stores for compliance with state sanitary code; monitors food establishment test results.
• Monitors work in progress and approve the completed construction before a license is issued.
• Regulates new private water supply wells including site inspections of property, issuing permits to well drillers and reviewing water sample analysis reports.
• Investigates reports of children with elevated blood lead levels, provides parents and / or guardians with information on lead paint poisoning prevention, inspects or orders properties to be inspected for lead-based paint and collects samples necessary to perform a risk assessment of the child's environment. Prepares orders to abate lead hazards in accordance with state statutes and regulations.
• Reviews and approves lead abatement plans.
• Prepares order letters seeking enforcement of violations and prepares support documents for administrative or legal hearings.
• Conducts housing inspections to ensure property conforms to state sanitary code.
• Inspects rental units and properties subject to public complaints as part of routine sanitary code enforcement.
• Serves as a public health educator, conducting food service seminars, swimming pool seminars, and rabies awareness seminars in schools, lead paint poisoning regulations, onsite sewage treatment disposal systems, and housing regulations.
• Maintains knowledge and expertise in relevant areas of public health, housing and environmental issues in order to maintain required licenses and certifications and changes in pertinent public health laws and regulations as well as enforcement practices.
• Prepares documents in support of public health hearings and department enforcement actions, hearings, legal actions as well as presentation of public health rationale for enforcement in court.
• Responds by telephone, in person, or in writing to persons seeking information regarding health rules and regulations, specific complaints, license requirements, and other environmental health problems.
• Certified maintenance of continuing education credits (CEUs) required for on-going recertification of all required licenses.
• May train employee(s) in a lower classification.
• Performs inspections or investigations during non-business hours as needed.
• Responds to emergencies and local public health occurrences of an urgent nature during and beyond the standard hours of operation.
• May serve as Acting Associate Director of Environmental Health in the event of the Associate Director of Environmental Health's absence.

Required Minimum Qualifications :

Education and Experience :

Certifications & Licensure :

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills Required :

Knowledge : Thorough knowledge of the State environmental code, food service regulations, and all other laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to public health and sanitation; working knowledge of current inspection and control practices and procedures.

Ability : Ability to meet and deal with the public effectively and appropriately; ability to effectively handle problems in the field and during emergencies; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to maintain, manage, and organize records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state regulatory agencies and uncooperative members of the public. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed and organized manner. Ability to enforce laws and regulations in an impartial and consistent manner.

Skill : Proficient oral and written communication skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Physical Skills : Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain when conducting field inspections, or standing or walking for most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting objects and carrying them. There also may be a need for the employee to stretch and reach in order to retrieve materials.

Motor Skills : Duties may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination in order to operate a motor vehicle.

Visual Skills : The employee is constantly required to read and interpret documents and reports for understanding and analytical purposes. Employee is constantly required to determine color differences.

Application Information

Application Submission :

Applications must be submitted online at www.danbury-ct.gov / employment. Qualified applicants must submit an application no later than 11 : 59 pm, Tuesday November 4th , 2025. EEO / M / F / D / V

Important Note : Paper applications will not be accepted.

The application must be completed in its entirety. Omissions, false, misleading or inaccurate information will result in rejection of the application.

It is recommended that applicants do not wait until the last day to submit the application. Applications should be completed as soon as possible after publication of the announcement for examination.

Please contact the Human Resources / Civil Service Department at (203) 797-4598 or if you need assistance or if you have any general questions.

1. Application Review

The Civil Service Commission is responsible for reviewing the applications to determine if they are complete and meet the minimum requirements for the position. The Commission will review all the applications for the position during their bi-weekly meetings following the closing date of the position.

If an application is accepted by the Civil Service Commission, then the applicant will be notified in writing and will be informed of the next step in the process. If the Commission does not accept an application, the applicant will also be notified in writing.

2. Testing

Once an application is accepted by the Civil Service Commission, the applicant will be notified in writing of the next steps in the testing process. Each test phase must be passed in order to continue to the next level of the selection process. The examination for this position will consist of the following parts :

PARTS WEIGHT

ORAL EXAM 100%

It is the applicant's responsibility to adhere to the City's testing schedule . Unless otherwise stated, there will be no make-up examinations or alternative examination dates.

If an applicant fails the test, the applicant will be immediately eliminated from consideration for this hiring process.

Oral Test Date :

Test Time : To be Determined

Test Location : To be Determined

Danbury CT 06810

Unless otherwise notified, applicants are not permitted to bring and / or use calculators, electronic devices, books or other reference materials during the examinations).

Reasonable Accommodations in the testing process :

All requests for reasonable accommodations in the testing process along with medical documentation establishing the need for the accommodation must be submitted to the City of Danbury Human Resources Department no later than the closing date of applications.

3. The Eligibility List

A passing average score of "70" on the above test will place an applicant on the Eligibility List in rank order. The rank on this list is established according to the scores on the exam(s) indicated above plus any additional applicable seniority points awarded. The resulting list is then certified by the Civil Service Commission and will be used to fill vacancies as they occur, as per Civil Service Rules.

If the list is not exhausted, it remains in effect for one year. However, the Commission can decide to extend an eligibility list for one additional year.

Participation in the testing and recruitment process and / or placement on an eligibility list does not guarantee a continuance in the remainder of the hiring process nor does it imply or constitute an offer of employment.

4. Additional Testing Requirements

Once the eligibility list is certified, depending on the number of vacancies, candidates with the highest ranking on the list will be interviewed by a panel of City Officials. As future positions become available, applicants are interviewed from this list based on their ranking for as long as the list is active.

NON-UNION 35

01

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university?

02

Please list degree.

03

Do you possess five to seven (5-7) years prior related work experience in public health services or a related field?

04

If yes, please explain. If no, please indicate n / a

05

Do you possess a Registered Sanitarian License (RS)?

06

Do you possess a Certification in Subsurface Sewage Disposal - Phases 1 and 2?

07

Are you a Certified State of CT Food Inspector?

08

Do you possess a Lead Inspector / Lead Risk Assessor Certification?

09

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

Required Question