Under administrative direction, assists with the
organization, operation and administration of the San Joaquin County
Environmental Health Department by performing highly responsible administrative
and managerial work in support of departmental operations and programs; directs
and coordinates the work of subordinate staff; acts for the Director of
Environmental Health in his/her absence; and does related or other work as
required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Assistant Director
– Environmental Health is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from
the San Joaquin County Civil Service system.
The incumbent reports to the Director of
Environmental Health and serves as the assistant department head, acting in the
absence of the Director as required and functioning under the direct extension
of the Director’s authority. The
incumbent performs senior-level management duties in order to assist with the
administration of departmental budgets, functions, and activities, while
helping to ensure their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, as
well as the policies established by the Director, the County Administrator, and
the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent
is expected to model a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including
accountability for oneself and others.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for
the class. The statements below are not
restrictive and the responsibilities and duties assigned to the position in
this class may expand beyond those identified in the specification.
Assists
the Director in planning, organizing, and directing the activities, functions,
budgets and programs within the Environmental Health Department; develops and
recommends operational objectives; directs assigned operations to maximize
efficiency, improve service levels, reduce administrative and service provision
costs, and ensure effective utilization of available resources; provides
strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment
of the organizational mission, vision, and values.
Recommends,
implements and revises work systems and procedures; recommends standards of
performance; advises department staff on more difficult or complex problems; may
assist staff with, or participate in, the most difficult activities.
Assists
with the development and implementation of quality control and quality
improvement programs and initiatives; analyzes and monitors performance
indicators and ensures that assigned operations meet established standards;
recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and
superior customer service.
Directs
the activities of assigned staff through subordinate managers and supervisors; selects,
supervises, trains, and evaluates staff, and evaluates performance; reviews and
takes action on disciplinary matters; directs staff training and development.
Assists
with the establishment of departmental policies and procedures; ensures that
assigned operations are in compliance with established policies, procedures,
rules and regulations; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal,
state, and local legislation, policies, procedures, and other directives to
determine impact on operations.
Directs
and/or assists with the preparation, presentation, and administration of
departmental budgets; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost
efficiency options; analyzes program data and reviews and prepares fiscal
reports and recommendations; ensures the appropriate accounting of fees
collected; develops and recommends budgetary controls.
Seeks
grant opportunities and helps design grant plans; writes and prepares grant
proposals and directs the implementation of grant projects.
Assists
with the effective development and utilization of technology to improve
departmental systems and processes.
Analyzes,
interprets, and summarizes complex narrative information and statistical data,
including laws, regulations and technical environmental health information;
prepares and/or directs the preparation of detailed and comprehensive reports,
records and correspondence for department and/or County management, as well as
for federal, state, or other external agencies; prepares Board of Supervisors’
reports and related documents; ensures that required records are maintained.
Represents
the department at public meetings; makes presentations on department programs
and activities to groups and individuals, including boards and commissions; obtains
community input on environmental issues; attends public hearings and meetings;
provides testimony as required.
Develops
and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships and may
represent the Environmental Health Department to federal, state, and County
officials, other counties, community groups, and the public; meets and confers
with various agents to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems.
Attends
meetings and conferences; participates on committees and task forces pertaining
to issues germane to the department; acts for the Director as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Possession of a master’s degree in biology,
chemistry, physics, microbiology, public health, or a closely related field from
an accredited college or university.
Experience: Five years of environmental
health-related management experience, including at least two years in a public
sector agency.
REQUIRED
QUALIFICATIONS
Registration: Possession of a valid
certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist issued by the
California Department of Health Services.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and effective practices of public
administration, including organization, fiscal management, personnel
management, public relations, and staff supervision; principles, practices,
procedures, organization and operation of a county environmental health
department, including related federal, state and local laws, regulations and
standards; the agencies, officials and
resources involved in the environmental health field and the authority
delegated to local law enforcement agencies with regard to environmental health
issues; principles and practices of budgeting, program management, project
management, long-range planning and customer service; modern office automation
technology and software relevant to environmental health operations; methods of
gathering, organizing and presenting data; methods of obtaining and managing
grants.
ABILITY
Assist with planning, assigning and directing
the staff and activities of complex environmental health programs in a cost
effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; provide appropriate
and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including
subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, other
departments, and pertinent stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise
good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and
critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate
solutions; understand, interpret and apply complex rules and regulations
pertaining to assigned operations; analyze and implement program mandates and
work within federal, state, or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and
present short and long-range plans; appear before and/or conduct public
meetings; make presentations to various groups and individuals, including the
County Board of Supervisors, as assigned; recommend the development and
utilization of automated systems; prepare and administer budgets and financial
and statistical records; interpret and apply complex technical and legal
material; communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; make
presentations to groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships
with others, including the general public, department staff, advocacy groups,
and other departments and agencies both internal and external to San Joaquin
County government.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—frequent operation
of a data entry device; frequent repetitive motion, sitting, standing, or walking
for extended periods of time; occasional driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending,
squatting, climbing; Lifting—frequent lifting of 5 pounds
or less; occasional lifting of 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—frequent need to
visually identify
the evidence of such things as pests and health conditions; constant
need for good overall vision and reading/close-up work; constant reading of
computer screens; frequent need for color perception and use of eye/hand
coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity---frequent
reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; frequent writing; Hearing/Talking—frequent
hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological—frequent
decision making, concentration, and public contact; occasional public speaking,
dealing with emergency situations, exposure to trauma, grief, death; occasional
exposure to heights and potential for exposure to hazardous materials; Special
Requirements--some assignments may require working weekends or nights, or working
alone; Environmental—occasional working in outside conditions of cold, heat, rain, or snow;
occasional working in areas of poor ventilation.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.