Director Environmental Health

*This is restricted to Current City of Minneapolis Employees*

The Director Environmental Health oversees multiple regulatory programs, delegation agreements with state agencies, grants, educational outreach, consultation, and other programming. Division and program responsibility is citywide in businesses governed by health statute, rule, ordinance and policy. The position oversees the Division workplan and activities to ensure its duties in its delegation agreements with the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture related to licensing, inspection, complaint investigation and foodborne illness.

Work Location

This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

• Direct the activities of Environmental Health Managers and inspection staff in implementing citywide preventative measures to protect the community's and publics' health in an array of businesses regulated by state and local health codes.
• Partner with other City Departments to coordinate across the enterprise on plan review; construction and equipment requirement; licensing; zoning; inspections and enforcement working directly with other Department Heads, Directors and leadership within CPED, Regulatory Services, Public Works, Civil Rights and the Mayor's Office.
• Direct the activities associated with investigation of complaints and enforcement of health code violations, including citations, Compliance Meetings and Administrative Hearings.
• Explore and develop creative ways to support businesses by developing videos, job aides, factsheets and communications in multiple languages that reflect the cultural make-up of the City.
• Coordinate and participate in multi-jurisdictional city, county, state (MDH, MDA), and federal (FDA, USDA) teams on strategic planning, food defense, enforcement, resource allocation, and providing service in public health.
• Provide leadership and policy direction to the Environmental Health Division. Accountable for the budget, personnel issues and implementation strategies for daily work and special projects.
• Set strategic targets, outcomes and overall work plans for 2 managers, two community liaisons, and 20 staff working under multiple health codes and an annual budget of approx. $4 million in general funds and grants.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state and City regulations and the deliverables established in the delegation agreements with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
• Develop community engagement strategies for new initiatives and training that impact businesses that are regulated by various health codes. This includes in-person community meetings, TEAMS meetings and trainings, newsletters and social media.
• Lead the Environmental Health Team in business process improvement, including establishing guidelines, policies, and standard operating procedures for conducting inspections.
• Oversee the preparation of self-assessments of work outcomes and parameters established FDA Standards and Delegation Agreements with the State.
• Incorporate City goals and values to incorporate economic inclusion, equity, and public health within the context of being good stewards of public resources and improving community health outcomes.
• Work with communications staff to respond to inquiries or complaints received by Mayor's Office, Council, or from the media. Review newsletters created as a communication tool to various businesses regulated by Environmental Health.

Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health or one of the sciences or equivalent.

Minimum Experience
Five years of experience in related fields and high-level management experience.

Licenses/Certifications
Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check

The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Union Representation

This is an appointed position and is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Eligible List Statement

The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire two months after it has been established.

Interview Selection

The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

• Ability and commitment to develop and promote a diverse productive work environment and to direct, lead and supervise a diverse team.
• Ability to develop long range plans and to embrace continuous process improvement.
• Extensive working knowledge of the City and departmental policies and practices, especially the practices of regulatory and enforcement administration.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with upper-level leadership and politically elected officials, represent the organization to outside agencies or to other department leadership within the organization, and work with the public and press.
• Ability to understand policy implications of current issues and make appropriate recommendations.
• Passion and commitment to support local businesses by applying an equity lens.
• Knowledge and understanding of statutes, including MS 28A, MS 144, MS 157; rules Minnesota Food Code (MR 4626), Minnesota Lodging Code (MR 4625) and the Minnesota Pool Code (MR 4717) and relevant sections of Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Chapters 111, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 230, 231, 232, 234, 297, 297, 301, and 339.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.