Environmental Health Specialist

HOURS

This is a part time position, working 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Wednesday. This is a job share position with each person working 24 hours per week with one day of overlap on Wednesdays.

NATURE OF WORK

Under the general supervision of the Support Services Manager, this position is responsible for city code enforcement and carrying out a broad range of administrative duties that assist in the management of the Public Safety Department’s environmental health programs. This position works primarily in the office, doing heavy computer and administrative tasks.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Receive citizen complaints relating to environmental health and city codes. Works with property owners to resolve average to complex complaints that may require research for compliance or resolution.

• Requires daily heavy computer and administrative work

• Engage in a high volume of daily interaction with the public, often in challenging situations.

• Maintain a city code management system for public and proactive complaints, monitoring cases until resolution is achieved through voluntary compliance, city abatement, or court proceedings.

•  Make technical decisions related to city code enforcement.

• Maintain ongoing communication with the Code Compliance Officer to discuss issues, explore options, and develop solutions related to code compliance issues.

•  Coordinate hazardous dwelling inspections with public health officials and city staff, including ongoing communication with residents and monitoring cases until resolved.

•  Maintain a city database system for registering vacant residential and commercial buildings.

• Work with city staff and legal team to interpret codes or make recommendations for updating city ordinances, often preparing recommended draft language for City Council approval.

•  Provide education and information to the public relating to city ordinances and environmental health functions.

• Process and maintain a health referral case management system.

• Collaborate with Public Safety staff on alcohol/tobacco/cannabis compliance case management system and compile correspondence relating to the process.

• Process repeat nuisance correspondence and invoices, formal complaints and fines.

• Compose correspondence, memoranda, letters and other materials and provide statistical data.

• Provide on-going training, development, and mentoring for new Cadets, including instruction on city database, procedures, and city code interpretation.

•  Provide Business Licensing backup and processing of licenses when needed.

•  Participate in efforts to ensure Richfield is an equitable, inclusive and respectful organization and support the City’s mission, vision and core values.

•  Performs other related administrative duties, as assigned

COMPETENCIES

•  Strong professional, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Ability to set priorities, manage time, and work independently or in a team environment.

•  Demonstrates knowledge of city ordinances, state health codes and state statutes and can interpret them effectively.

•  Demonstrates ability to handle stress and work in fast paced environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with the public, ensuring respect for the diversity of residents, some of whose first language may not be English.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of data and private information.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of applicable computer hardware and software programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and others as needed.

• Ability to communicate ideas and explanations clearly in English, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to write reports, memos and business correspondence using proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Ability to courteously and effectively relate to and deal with the public, including individuals who may be under stress.

•  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to accurately type 45 wpm.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates Degree or Equivalent 2 Year Degree 

• Two years of progressively responsible administrative experience including typing, telephones, cash drawer, data entry and experience with a personal computer using Microsoft Office programs

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Additional training or experience in Environmental Health codes.

• Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese or other non-English language prevalent in the City of Richfield

• Experience working with diverse populations using cultural sensitivity

The physical demands that are described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Must have the ability to:

• Ability to sit, talk and listen for extended periods of time.

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

•  Ability to manipulate a keyboard for an extended period of time.

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Background Process: As this position is part of the Public Safety Department, selected candidates will be required to undergo a thorough medical, psychological examination, and drug test. Because this position has access to information that is subject to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal apprehension (BCA) rules, the successful applicant must pass a thorough background check investigation as required by the BCA, which includes fingerprinting

Salary : $31 - $40