ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 41251

07/01/94 A

This is the first in the Environmental Health Director series which is principally responsible for setting goals and objectives for multiple statewide Health Department environmental programs or a statewide program with direct supervisory authority over field staff and programs. Program areas are identified as food and milk, soils and sewage, and shellfish sanitation. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Health Director which directs all environmental programs for the Office of Environmental Health. It is distinguished from the Environmental Health Manager Senior class by its statewide responsibility for multiple environmental programs while the Environmental Health Manager Senior is responsible for district programs.

Complexity of Work: Performs duties of considerable difficulty by providing assistance in the development and implementation of programs and implementing the directives of the Environmental Health Director for a major environmental program, food inspections and general environmental programs, soils and sewage environmental programs, or shellfish sanitation programs. Exercises program, technical and regulatory authority for multiple environmental programs; serves as the principal point of contact for Environmental Health Coordinators concerning assigned programs, standards of performance, program objectives, technical consultation, and problem resolution; coordinates research activities, formulates recommendations, and develops plans, directives, and standards for review and final approval by the Director. These positions define standards for environmental practices; recommend legislative changes to identify program specific, long-term staffing needs and assist the Director in development alternatives. Represent the Director on committees related to environmental concerns; provide technical guidance and recommend changes to the Director for state policies and procedures, and interpret federal and state environmental laws, regulations, and policies for the assigned program area. Collects or coordinates the collection of service statistics, needs assessment and analyzes national data to promote standardization of practices, uniformity of service and technological advancement of new environmental services and techniques for area of assignment. They resolve conflict, referring more difficult and controversial cases to the Director; implement new programs, existing program modifications, statewide staffing patterns, and resource allocations; formulate and monitor the environmental budget for assigned programs; hold public meetings, press interviews, and hearings. Determine solutions to unprecedented technical and administrative problems; prepare written reports; assign priorities and review the work of subordinate staff.

Supervision Given: Exercises direct line authority over Environmental Health Coordinators, Environmental Health Managers Senior, and support staff. Exercises technical and directional authority over Environmental Health Coordinators in assigned geographical regions.

Supervision Received: This class receives general direction from the Environmental Health Director regarding overall status and emphasis, and on issues which impact other operations, services, or legal jurisdictions.

Scope: This class defines unknown conditions and develops new theories affecting the work of experts, the development of major aspects of scientific program which affects the well-being of a substantial number of people. The class affects major services provided by health districts. Major services are Food Inspections and General Environmental programs, Soils and Sewage programs, and Shellfish programs.

Impact of Actions: The decisions made by positions in this class, combined with enforcement, liaison, and planning responsibilities, seriously impact the economies, services, and goodwill of the agency and the Commonwealth.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts are made with federal, state, and local officials, legislative staff, private executives, and special interest groups concerning the direction of agency environmental program issues.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of environmental programs, legislative processes, community assessment, program planning, and research. Considerable knowledge of management practices and principles. Working knowledge of administrative and supervisory principles, human resource management, financial planning and marketing, and in automated information systems.

Skills: Working skill in the use of personal computers.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to manage the work of technical and professional positions providing advanced technical guidance in the assigned environmental specialty(ies); to evaluate environmental staffing, organizational patterns, and program effectiveness; to determine program direction and implementation; to develop and carry out goals and objectives affecting the health district or equivalent environmental programs; to establish and maintain working relationships and to provide consultative services in designated environmental specialty(ies) to federal, state, and local officials, and the community; to utilize standardized epidemiologic investigative methods; to prepare thorough and accurate documentation of regulatory activities, to read and interpret policies and regulations and apply them independently; and to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a variety of audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Completion of college level course work in public or environmental health, biology, chemistry, geology, or a related program.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience related to environmental health. Experience in the administration of fiscal, personnel and information resources and supervisory experience for multiple organizational units. Experience in program design, implementation and maintenance.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class replaces the Sanitarian Assistant Director class, effective July, 1994.