The Environmental Health Specialist II will assist the Community Health Administrator in planning and administering the Health Division; will protect public health and safety by conducting inspections and investigations, providing education, and encouraging voluntary compliance with City Codes. Codes enforced include; The Minnesota Food Code, Minnesota Pool Code, City of Edina Health Code, and other applicable Federal, State and local codes. The EHS II will coordinate activities and perform lead work duties in assigned program areas.
Scope of Impact:
The duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Health Specialist II are performed with latitude for independent judgment in accordance with Department and City policies, Federal, State and local regulations and are based on detailed knowledge of Department operations. Work is subject to periodic review by the supervisor, who provides input on and approval of recommendations, and discusses assignments, priorities, and work.
Applications will be accepted from November 19th to December 28th.
Interviews with selected candidates will be scheduled after January 1st, 2026.
Anticipated Hiring Timeline:
- First Round Interview: Week of January 5th
- Second Round Interview: Week of January 12th
- Background check: Week of January 19th
- Anticipated start time: Month of February
General:
- Coordinate assigned Health Division program area tasks.
- Act as liaison with other divisions, departments, agencies, or industry representatives.
- Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of progress and procedures to achieve Division goals and objectives.
- Assist in development and updating of new and existing City codes and ordinances.
- Approve appropriate permits and licenses.
- Perform environmental health inspections including lead work on complex cases, follow-ups, issuing written orders, and maintaining organized records on violations and corrective actions.
- Assist in reviewing staff effectiveness and continuously improve operating procedures.
- Interpret and enforce applicable Federal, State and local codes relating to environmental health issues.
- Assist with public health emergency preparedness response in event of disaster.
- Perform field work in all program areas.
- Respond to citizen complaints in all program areas, or as assigned.
- Complete other duties as apparent or assigned.
Recycling:
- Promote recycling and solid waste reduction activities to educate the public meeting City, county, state, and federal requirements.
- Negotiate citywide recycling contract.
- Manage recycling grant requirements, including report writing and submittal.
- Develop educational brochures and give presentations about recycling activities.
- Provide staff support to Recycling and Solid Waste Workgroup.
- Respond to citizen questions and concerns regarding recycling.
- Maintain recycling budget, submitted bi-annually.
Delegated Programs (Food, Lodging, Pools) Area:
- Perform advanced level risk based inspections and investigations of a variety of establishments and facilities including restaurants, daycares, swimming pools, parking garages, schools, housing units, and temporary food stands.
- Investigate reports of food and water borne illnesses and coordinate epidemiological investigations with Minnesota Department of Health.
- Implement enforcement actions where necessary to achieve code compliance.
- Maintain ongoing contact with licensed establishments to address emerging trends.
- Manage enrollment and participation in FDA Food Program Standards.
- Maintain records required by Minnesota Department of Health Delegation Agreement.
Plan Review:
- Review commercial construction plans for adherence to Minnesota Food Code and City of Edina Health Department Code.
- Develop and maintain food service construction plan review documents for food service owners/operators.
- Maintain relationship and manage licensed establishment plan review process with other City departments and divisions.
Nuisance:
- Perform lead worker tasks for abatement of public health nuisances, enforcement actions, and complex cases.
- Respond to citizen complaints regarding equipment, noise, environmental conditions, and nuisances that may be a danger to public health or a violation of City of Edina Code.
Minimum Qualifications:
The job requires a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Biological Science, Sanitary Science, Food Science or related field and a minimum of five years experience in regulatory environmental health. The employee must be a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and possess a valid driver’s license
Desired Qualifications:
A standardized Food Inspection Officer is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required for Successful Job Performance:
- Knowledge of the Minnesota Food Code and FDA Food Program Standards.
- Knowledge of governmental operations and departments.
- The ability to read and understand commercial blueprints.
- General knowledge of plumbing, mechanical and fire codes.
- The ability to perform work requiring a high degree of concentration and judgment in interpreting practices and procedures to solve problems.
- The ability to work independently and to prioritize work requests.
- Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office software sufficient to manipulate data, draft reports and maintain records.
- Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences, persuade stakeholders, and to perform public speaking to the City Council and community and other groups, and reading comprehension skills sufficient to read, understand and interpret complex and varied work-related materials.
- Demonstrates the desired standard of conduct and work performance including confidentiality and privacy requirements of the Health Division.
- Interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Physical effort is light with lifting or carrying limited to 40 pounds intermittently. Approximately 70% of work is performed in the field conducting inspections where the employee may bend, lift, climb or crawl, and could be in confined areas or exposed to inclement weather conditions. The job includes driving a vehicle on a regular basis. Report preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent.
Working Conditions:
Approximately 70% of the work is performed in the field and 30% in a normal office environment. Work in the field may include exposure to disagreeable environments, including potential hazards such as emergency scenes, chemicals, vectors, rats, and contagious diseases. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this job at any time.