Lead Inspector

Introduction

The mission of the New Haven Health Department is to ensure and advocate for the health and well-being of all New Haven residents. The Bureau of Environmental Health maintains as its principal goal the preservation and protection of the environmental quality of the City of New Haven. Work includes:

• Utilize and enforce applicable sections of the State Public Health Code, State Statutes, and Municipal Ordinances
• Resolve cases of childhood lead poisoning, provide educational outreach activities, and assist with distribution of federal lead abatement funds to prevent lead poisoning
• Investigate and resolve public health nuisances and infractions of applicable statutes and/or ordinances
• Assist in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies

Lead is a poisonous substance found in most homes in New Haven, especially those built before 1978. In fact, over 80% of New Haven homes are likely to contain lead. When exposed to lead, children or adults can have permanent and severe health problems.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

This is a technical position under the general supervision of the Environmental Health Program Director or designee in the Department of Health to perform investigations, education, and outreach for the prevention of childhood lead poisoning. Work includes:

• Inspections for the purpose of determining the presence of lead-based paint and surface coverings and lead in soil dust and drinking water
• Work is performed within the framework of existing laws, ordinances, policies, and regulations

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspect buildings and dwellings for possible sources of lead poisoning
• Conduct investigations following established protocols of home environments of children exhibiting the symptoms of blood-lead poisoning
• Perform inspections using special instruments to identify surfaces containing lead paint
• Collect samples of paint dust, water, and soil from dwellings and deliver samples to laboratory
• Document findings accurately and take photographs or videos as necessary
• Follow procedures to ensure abatement of all areas containing lead paint which may pose a direct hazard to the health of a child
• Reinspect dwellings after completion of repairs to ensure compliance with regulations
• Confer with individual property owners relevant to service of notices and violations
• Foster a cooperative working relationship with other city and state agencies
• Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results
• Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations concerning inspection duties and outcomes
• May conduct special surveys relating to general environmental health disciplines
• May assist in coordinating duties with other concerned agencies
• Develops and implements lead abatement plans for properties with confirmed lead hazards, including coordinating with property owners, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Assists with providing educational workshops and outreach activities to raise awareness about lead poisoning prevention and provide information on available resources for lead abatement
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelors degree in Public Health, Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, or directly related field, and

• A minimum of one year of hands-on experience in environmental health inspection and enforcement, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of policies, procedures, methods, and industry standards relating to environmental health
• Considerable knowledge of lead poisoning, its effects on children, and long-term health implications
• Knowledge of lead hazard identification, assessment, and effective abatement strategies
• Considerable knowledge of current issues, research findings, and regulatory decisions regarding childhood lead poisoning
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough investigations of buildings and dwellings to identify hazards
• Competency in utilizing specialized instruments to test for surfaces containing lead paint
• Excellent record-keeping skills, including accurate documentation of inspection findings supported by other media as needed
• Ability to prepare detailed written reports, summaries, analyses, recommendations, and charts that interpret test results
• Ability to assist with development and implementation of effective lead abatement plans for properties with confirmed lead hazards
• Ability to coordinate abatement efforts, including liaising with property owners, contractors, and relevant stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills for conducting educational workshops and outreach activities aimed at raising awareness about lead poisoning prevention
• Ability to use standard Microsoft Office with adeptness and ease, with the ability to learn new emerging technologies
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, other City agencies, the public, property owners, and other stakeholders
• Ability to remain current on relevant literature, training, research findings, and industry advancements in the field of environmental health
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, including attendance at conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay updated on advancements in lead inspection and abatement techniques
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with other city and state agencies involved in environmental health and lead abatement efforts
• Ability for self-driven initiative, coupled with strong time management and organizational skills, enabling efficient and independent execution of tasks and responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment conducive to achieving common environmental health goals.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must obtain State of Connecticut Lead Inspector Certification within 6 months of appointment and maintain throughout the course of employment
• Certification training sponsored by the City
• Must obtain State of Connecticut Lead Risk Assessor Certification within 6 months of appointment and maintain throughout the course of employment
• Certification training sponsored by the City
• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout the course of employment

SALARY BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This is a General Fund tested position
• This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 884 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
• Bargaining agreements available to review
• General Funded hires into this class shall not be covered by Social Security but rather the City pension contributing 9% of salary
• The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of:
  1. A pre-employment background check
  2. A pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening, according to the Citys Drug Free Workplace Policy
  3. A 90-day probationary period
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  5. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment
  6. Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of New Haven has adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy
  7. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana
  8. Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources
  9. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification
  10. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date
  11. It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process
  12. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed
  13. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list
  14. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date
  15. Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE
  16. Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email; you must provide a valid working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department
  17. We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidates for a position

  18. CONCLUSION

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