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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Public Health Inspector I
Opening Date: October 29, 2025
Closing Date: November 12, 2025
Job Class Code: 7350
Grade: 22 (04)
Salary: $49,296.00 - $68,785.60 per year
Position Number: 02032-1862
Location: Augusta
Job Description:
In this position you will serve as a Public Health Inspector conducting on-site investigations and inspections for potential impact on health, safety, and sanitary conditions in restaurants, school kitchens, hospital cafeteria kitchens, youth camps, campgrounds, correctional facility kitchens, hotels, public pools and spas, body artists and other licensed establishments to determine compliance with program rules and reduce the protection of public health and safety. The Health Inspection Program has a current vacancy out of the Augusta DHHS office, which includes portions of Kennebec, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties, including the towns of Augusta, Boothbay Harbor, Chelsea, China, Damariscotta, Hallowell, Palermo, Pittston, Windsor and other adjacent towns.
You will also:
• Organize, coordinate, and make referrals to other agencies such as Liquor Licensing, Fire Marshal's Office, Department of Agriculture, and Marine Resources to protect public health and safety.
• Review and evaluate license applications including business plans and specifications.
• Resolve issues associated with compliance with health, safety, environmental, and sanitary rules and regulations.
• Provide technical expertise and education on all Program rules and regulations.
• Assist with the development of Program rules and standard operating procedures.
• Monitor the correction of violations within a timeframe.
• Evaluate establishments for compliance with rules to issue licenses.
• Prioritize the inspection of establishments, the issuance of licenses, and the response to complaints per the program's standard operating procedures.
• Recommend compliance closures and determine when to issue Imminent Health Hazard notices.
• Conduct special investigations into complaints and food/waterborne illnesses.
Minimum Qualifications:
A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in public health, environmental or biological science, health education or a related field which includes two (2) years of public health, biological or environmental science, or related experience.
LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).
Obtain FDA standardization for food inspections, Certified Food Manager Certification and Certified Pool Operation Certification after hire.
Preferred candidates will also have:
• Knowledge and experience with food safety, public health, and sanitation laws.
• Knowledge of techniques used in the field of public health inspections.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to conduct investigations and inspections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners.
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Agency information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.
The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which