State of Maryland

This is technical or supervisory environmental health work. 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 local health departments, employees in this classification are program chiefs in a large county of such size and complexity that it requires supervision of at least five lower-level staff members. On the headquarters staff, the employee either is head of a component of an environmental health program providing direction and guidance to local health department Sanitarians in that specialty or directly supervising at least two headquarters professionals; or is a program specialist who functions as an expert in the entire range of activities of a headquarters division and is assigned responsibility to act as an advisor in a particular area of the State in regard to these divisional activities. In this latter capacity, the employee may also function as a training specialist assuming responsibility and administering Statewide training programs to effect compliance with specific environmental health laws.

Headquarters positions are considered to be environmental health specialists, which may or may not bear continuing supervisory responsibility; however, these positions have continuing responsibility for training and supervising temporary and permanently assigned personnel on special projects of limited duration.

Work of this class includes responsibility for planning, executing, and promoting the activities of county environmental health programs and coordinating with other public health activities or for providing technical expertise in a specialized area of responsibility. Work requires the exercise of considerable independent judgment in the establishment of standards and in the interpretation of regulations and in the determination of the best methods to be utilized in the abatement of unsatisfactory conditions.

In local health department operations, this employee works under the administrative direction of the Health Officer, the Director of Environmental Health Services, or a higher-level Sanitarian. At headquarters, the program specialist performs under the direction of a major section head, a division chief or higher-level staff. Work effectiveness is determined through conferences, review of reports and evaluation of program effectiveness. At the local level, the employee is responsible for the general supervision of lower-level Sanitarians and Environmental Health Aides.

Plans, develops, directs, supervises, and coordinates a complex local environmental health program;

Initiates and directs actions to secure compliance with public health laws and regulations regarding the health aspects of community environment;

Consults with and advises community officials, commercial, professional and lay groups on the environmental health aspects of community planning and needs and methods of control and correction;

Participates in developing and formulating program policies and procedures and may make recommendations regarding legislation in environmental health;

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

Performs other related duties.

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

Knowledge of the application of chemical and biological sciences to environmental health;

Ability to plan, develop, and direct a complex environmental health program;

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 health environment;

Ability to coordinate or supervise the activities of lower-level Sanitarians;

Ability to conduct or participate in training activities;

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

Ability to assist professional staff members in developing and executing the environmental control phases of a health program;

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: Four 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 at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher 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.