State of Maryland

This is the first supervisory level in the Sanitarian series. It is advanced work in the promotion of environmental health, for the protection of the environment and for the enforcement of State and local environmental health laws and regulations for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Employees perform, on a routine basis, inspections and investigations to aid in securing compliance with the health laws and regulations specifically pertaining to control of the public health aspects of the environment.

In small and medium local health departments the employee in this classification serves as a supervisor of a program, such as food sanitation, milk and dairy products, food processing, eating and drinking establishments, or air quality control, and in large health departments the employee acts as a supervising Sanitarian of a program directed by a higher-level Sanitarian.

On the headquarters staff employees in this class are program specialists in a specific program, such as, but not limited to, housing, swimming pools, rodent control, bedding and upholstery, and training.

In addition to providing leadership to lower-level workers, employees in this classification are responsible for the coordination of environmental control and regulatory activities with other public health programs. Work requires the exercise of considerable independent judgment in the interpretation of regulations as they apply to specific situations and in the determination of the best methods to abate or eliminate unsatisfactory conditions.

Employees in this classification work under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Health Services of the county, or under a section head on the headquarters staff. Work effectiveness is determined through conferences and reports from investigations. Work of this position may require supervision of lower-level Sanitarians and Environmental Health Aides.

Assists in integrating and coordinating environmental control activities with related activities of other official local agencies, such as police, public works, zoning and sanitary commissions, and county/city health departments;

Serves as an environmental health program head in a small or medium county health department, or as a program specialist at the headquarters level;

Cooperates with local groups in developing public appreciation and acceptance of program activities;

Participates in evaluating the extent of environmental problems and the effectiveness of control programs;

May serve as an expert consultant to sanitarians in local health departments on environmental health problems relating to shellfish control, milk control, eating and drinking establishments, insect and rodent control, and air pollution;

May supervise the work of lower-level Sanitarians or Environmental Health Aides;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of public health as related to the control of the human environment;

Knowledge of the objectives, scope, and force of laws and regulations of the State pertaining to or relating to public health control of the environment;

Knowledge of environmental control methods and techniques to be utilized by the public in meeting requirements of laws and regulations;

Ability to plan, organize, and develop an environmental health program of moderate size and complexity;

Ability to coordinate the program with other public health activities;

Ability to investigate, evaluate, and interpret findings with respect to meeting desirable standards for the community environment;

Ability coordinate and supervise the activities of several lower-level Sanitarians and to effectively integrate new employees;

Ability to organize material and to present information clearly and effectively;

Ability to meet and work with the public and promote community understanding and support for the public health program;

Ability to assist in developing and executing the environmental control phases of the local health programs;

Ability to deal with environmental problems and issues with diplomacy, firmness and tact;

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely;

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with health officials, State and community officials, co-workers and the general public.

Education:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Environmental Health Specialists under the licensing requirements for Environmental Health Specialists.

Experience: Three years of environmental health work experience in the promotion, control, and maintenance of environmental health.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in public health or environmental health sciences from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering classifications or Environmental Engineering specialty codes in the Engineering and Science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as an Environmental Health Specialist from the Maryland State Board of Environmental Health Specialists.  A photocopy of current registration must be attached to the application form.

2. Licensure requirements are pursuant to Health Occupations Article, Title 11, Annotated Code of Maryland and COMAR 10.60.01 through 10.60.07.  The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management cannot accept any substitutions.

3. Further information on eligibility requirements, to include application for license, may be obtained from the Administrative Officer, Maryland State Board of Environmental Health Specialists, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD  21215.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.