Health Inspector - (Environmental & Occupational Health Division)

Job Description

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Role

The Health Inspector plays a vital role in meeting the BPHC's mission of protecting the health and well-being of Boston residents. Daily, the Inspector visits homes, businesses, and public spaces to conduct environmental inspections either in response to resident complaints / concerns or as part of routine regulation of permitted businesses. As a result, some work is performed in narrow / crowded areas, areas with moving machinery, hot or cold areas, or areas with poor ventilation. Wearing personal protective equipment and utilizing specialized sampling and monitoring equipment, the Inspector investigates potential sources of public health hazards. When violations of environmental regulations are found, the Inspector issues orders to correct to the responsible party and prepares case documentation for legal enforcement. Through ordering landlords to correct lead or mold hazards in rental units, to enforcing ventilation standards in nail salons, to emergency response to chemical spills; the Inspector is the first line of defense against environmental hazards for Bostonians.

Duties

• Investigates potential environmental health hazards based on public complaints and routine process and takes necessary actions for remediation.
• Conducts inspections and manages cases according to regulations and protocols established by federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies to identify and ensure correction of Environmental Health Hazards.
• Conducts indoor and outdoor field investigations by interview, visual / olfactory / auditory observation, sample collection for laboratory analysis, electronic data collection of observation notes and photographs, and environmental testing using field-portable monitors.
• Documents case histories in program database(s) and prepares reports.
• Conducts assessments of health hazards and recommends courses of action.
• Conducts toxicological evaluations and health risk assessments of exposure to environmental pollutants.
• Works as a member of a team and participates in case studies.
• Responds to environmental emergencies during normal hours and after hours when on emergency on-call status.
• Communicates effectively with local, state, and federal agencies as well as the general public regarding environmental health and toxic chemicals.
• Carries monitoring equipment (weighing up to 20lbs) to and around inspection sites.
• Enters areas of biological / chemical / physical environmental hazards wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and respiratory protection.
• Coordinates activities with other government agencies, commissions, and authorities.
• Reviews and analyzes reports generated by environmental consultants.
• Maintains necessary training, licensing, and certification as required by job duties and pertinent regulations.
• Performs permitting inspections, hazard investigations, and enforcement activities for programs including but not limited to mold, bed bugs, chemical exposures, asbestos, lead, body art, tanning facilities, nail salons, trans fat, ice rinks, solid waste facilities, schools, marijuana dispensaries, and funeral homes.
• Conducts community education and outreach.
• Counsels and mediates between landlords, tenants, contractors, and the general public.
• Research corporate ownership, real estate ownership, health hazards and related laws and regulations.
• Calibrates & maintains field monitoring / sampling instruments.
• Performs other duties as required.