Overview
The Town of Needham’s Public Health Division seeks engaged individuals for the grant-funded position of Regional Environmental Health Agent for the Charles River Public Health District (Needham, Dover, Medfield, and Sherborn). Under the direction of the Assistant Manager of Shared Services, they will provide public health services and enforce State/Federal Environmental and Sanitary Codes, Town by-laws, and Board of Health Regulations. The Regional Environmental Health Agent will assure compliance, develop policy, and communicate health information to the public, as well as assist with grant writing and program development. Additionally, this position provides coordination support for the North Central MetroWest Local Public Health Training hub with outreach to communities and website updates.
Position: Full-time (37.5 hours per week – term position through 6/30/2027, and possibly longer contingent upon funding)
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5: 00 p.m.; Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CON #25120/26011
These duties are a general summary and not all inclusive:
- Inspect and evaluate health risks in full range of food establishments as well as oversee compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, rules, and ordinances, including Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code and Title Five state sanitary septic code.
- Conduct inspections of nursing and rest homes, residential and housing facilities, motels, recreational camps for children, health clubs, ice skating rinks, public and semi-public swimming pools, public bathing beaches; inspect and investigate off-street drainage, subdivision control, solid waste, noise, tobacco, water, vector control, and air pollution when directed.
- Conduct plan reviews, investigate foodborne illness complaints, issue order letters, impose fines, and conduct administrative hearings to ensure safe food operations.
- Provide regional assistance, including training other agents and agencies on issues related to environmental health regulations, performing federal, state and local inspections, emerging public health issues effecting compliance with regulations and other areas of expertise to assist other public health partners.
- Coordinate monthly meetings of environmental health staff in the four communities and support communities in completion of assessments such as the Workforce standards, performance standards, fee cost analysis tool, capacity assessment and foundational public health services assessment tools.
- Provide ongoing educational services via training, social media posts, and public articles on public health topics, and provide reports to the Board of Health, as necessary.
- Required to occasionally serve on-call to respond to emergency situations or conduct inspections off-hours.
- Review online permit applications and conduct a variety of plan reviews (i.e. food/tobacco establishments, demolitions, additions to homes on septic systems, pool permit renewals/plan reviews, septic hauler/installers, septic system construction permit applications, animal permits, bodywork permits, disposal of sharps permits, well permits, etc.), via the Town of Needham online permit application system.
- Represent the Charles River Public Health District in meetings with funders, staff and attends board of health meetings as requested.
The following requirements may be substituted by any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job:
- Duties require extensive knowledge of environmental health and sanitation equivalent to completion of a four-year college degree program/bachelor’s degree in public or environmental health, Community Health, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Four (4) to six (6) years of work experience are required in public or environmental health, public policy, or a related field. Part-time and volunteer experience will be considered.
- Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license with the ability to travel independently among each community.
- Demonstrated project and time management skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
Preferred Qualifications or the Ability to Obtain:
- Registered environmental health agent, or academically qualified to take and pass the registered sanitarian examination within one year of hire.
- Septic system inspector’s license, lead determination certificate, and passing of soil evaluator’s exam within one year of hire.
- Code enforcement and food inspection experience a plus.
To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and application by clicking “Apply.”
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on July 28, 2025.
The Town of Needham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and encouraging workplace. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, national origin, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, veteran status, or any other protected class. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.
The Town of Needham will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at tswanson@needhamma.gov.
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