Overview
Position Overview:
This position oversees the day-to-day operations and personnel management of the Environmental Health Services (EHS)Division within Austin Public Health. The EHS Division promotes public health and safety to ensure compliance/enforcement of state and local health codes.
This role manages multiple core public health services, including food establishment permitting and Inspection, food establishment complaint investigations, food/environmental borne illness investigations, 24/7 emergency public health response to food and environmental health hazards, public and semi-public swimming pools and spas permitting, inspections and investigations, recreational water sampling, custodial care inspections (childcare centers, adoption, and foster homes), mosquitos and rodent control, and subject matter expertise on environmental and consumer health issues and best practices. This position is a member of the department’s leadership team and advises on strategic planning and quality improvement initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of modern management principles and practices.
Knowledge of Federal, State, and City rules and regulations governing unit functions.
Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal law and City ordinances.
Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
Knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, and financial forecasting methods.
Skill in coordinating various functions.
Skill in managing the activities of personnel engaged in unit functions.
Skill in developing and implementing plans to achieve set goals and objectives.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the Director, City Manager, City Council, other department directors, other City employees, and the public.
Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting applicable research data.
Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple agency and governmental structures to meet inter-local agreement goals and objectives.
Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City of Austin.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to Public Health, Social and Human Services, Business or Public Administration or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience analyzing how environmental services are delivered to best address the region’s critical public health needs.
Demonstrated experience in environmental health regulatory delivery systems.
Experience effectively overseeing and managing field operations.
Experience in stakeholder and community engagement.
Experience working with elected officials.
State of Texas Professional Sanitarian Registration
Ability to travel to multiple work locations
General Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
*Hours may vary due to operational needs. An alternative schedule and remote work/telework options may be available, but this position requires a minimum of 40% per week in-office standard. Evenings and weekends may be required on occasion, especially during an emergency response.
About Austin Public Health
Everyday in every part of our community, public health protects Austin and Travis County residents from infectious diseases and environmental threats and educates us about the benefits of healthful behaviors in avoiding chronic diseases.
We offer:
Services to help people meet needs across the lifespan, such as immunizations, shelter, food, clothing, and job assistance.
Screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
Nutritional support through the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC).
Birth and death certificates.
Inspection and permitting of restaurants and food establishments.
Outreach and education on topics such as diabetes, tobacco cessation, mother-friendly workplaces, and injury prevention.
Emergency preparedness programs to help people in need during and after natural and man-made disasters.
Accreditation:
Austin Public Health is accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This milestone is an official recognition that Austin Public Health meets or exceeds the rigorous public health standards established by the non-profit, non-governmental PHAB. Jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, PHAB sets standards against which public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. Our department is the third public health department in the state to receive accreditation.
