CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEER                                                                  2136

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is responsible for assisting in the overall administration of the environmental health services program and insuring compliance with the provisions of the New York State Public Health Law, the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, the New York State Sanitary Code, the Laws and Regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Suffolk County Sanitary Code.  The incumbent functions as a deputy to the Director of Environmental Quality and, as such, has the authority to act for and in place of the Director at all times.  Performance is reviewed through periodic conferences and reports.  General supervision is exercised over professional engineering and public health sanitarian personnel.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

                Assists in planning and directing the work of the environmental health services program;

                Assists in supervising the enforcement of public health laws and sanitary codes pertaining to environmental health;

                Coordinates and supervises environmental research projects;

                Directs water studies regarding the quality and quantity of water in various locations within the County;

                Acts as hearing officer for highly technical and complex engineering problems;

                Serves as chairperson of the Environmental Board of Review, which considers and authorizes exceptions to the sanitary code and other environmental standards;

                Represents the Director in all matters relating to environmental health;

                Interprets Health Department policies and directives relating to environmental and public health engineering problems;

                Reviews plans and specifications for environmental and public health engineering projects and inspects completed projects;

                Oversees the preparation of technical engineering bulletins on specific environmental and public health engineering projects;

                Presents talks to civic and other groups concerning environmental health programs;

                Assists in maintaining necessary liaison with federal, state and County departments.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of public health engineering and environmental sanitation as related to water supply, sewage disposal, air pollution, protection of bays and in-shore waters, regulation of industrial and commercial discharges, swimming pools and general sanitation; thorough knowledge of provisions of the New York State Public Health Law, the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, the New York State Sanitary Code, the Rules and Regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Suffolk County Sanitary Code; ability to plan, direct and supervise public health and environmental sanitation programs; ability to supervise in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies and the public; ability to express oneself clearly, both orally and in writing; good judgment; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

                OPEN COMPETITIVE

                Either:

   (a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Master's Degree in either  Engineering or Engineering Technology  and ten (10) years of sanitary, public health or environmental engineering experience, including two (2) years of administrative experience in environmental health services programs; or

 

                (b) Graduation from a college with a federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor’s Degree in either Engineering or Engineering Technology, and twelve (12) years of sanitary, public health or environmental engineering experience, including two (2) years of administrative experience in environmental health services programs.

 

                PROMOTIONAL

                Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as a Principal Public Health Engineer.

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

                Candidates must possess a Professional Engineer's License issued by the State of New York at the time of appointment.  License must be maintained throughout employment in this title.

                At the time of appointment, and during employment in this title, employees will be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

 

R 6/29/18

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive