Public Health Specialist 2 (NY HELPS) - 31101

Description

Duties Description

The Public Health Specialist (PHS) 2 will serve as a field coordinator for the Central New York Region for the water supply protection programs including regulatory oversight of public and individual water systems, onsite wastewater treatment systems, and realty subdivisions and cooling towers. The incumbents will also serve as the point of contact between local health departments (LHD) and central office program staff.

The PHS 2 will assess LHD training and resource needs; facilitate training to LHD staff; evaluate and monitor LHD program delivery and implementation, identify program areas with significant deficiencies requiring LHD attention; and coordinating environmental investigations of water borne illness outbreaks including Legionella cases. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the Bureau of Water Supply Protection with reviewing new regulations including the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), Consumer Confidence Reports, and others upon request. The incumbent will be the go-to expert for the LCRI in the region and will provide expertise for the Emerging Contaminants Rule.

NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

A qualifying bachelor's or higher degree* AND three years of experience conducting on-site inspections and surveys to evaluate environmental health conditions and/or regulatory and code compliance to improve the health, safety, and well-being of individuals and the public; and providing technical assistance to local health departments/units (LHU), healthcare facilities, and other organizations with a specific focus on environmental health.

• Please refer to the below for qualifying degrees:

animal science, bacteriology, biochemical engineering, biochemistry, biological science, biology, biophysics, chemical engineering, chemical science, chemistry, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, climate change, coastal engineering, earth science, ecohydrology, ecology, electrical science, electrical engineering, engineering science, engineering science in wastewater, engineering technology, environmental biology, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental resource engineering, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental toxicology, food science, geochemistry, geological engineering, geology, health physics, hydrology, hydrology and water resource science, industrial hygiene, marine biology, mechanical engineering, medical science, medical technology, microbiology, molecular biology, natural science, nursing, occupational health, physical science, physics, pre-med, structural engineering, toxicology, water resources engineering, or water resources and environmental engineering

Substitutions: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.

Non-Competitive Promotion: If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in the appointment to this position, a permanent appointment may be made pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. To be eligible, candidates must be an employee of the Department of Health and have one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Sanitarian, Grade 18 or Public Health Specialist 1, Grade 18.

Promotional Provisional Opportunity: Current New York State Department of Health employee with one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Sanitarian, Grade 18 or Public Health Specialist 1, Grade 18.

Reassignment and Transfer Candidates: Current New York State Department of Health employee with permanent or contingent permanent service as a Public Health Specialist 2, Grade 23; OR current New York State employee with one year or more of permanent or contingent permanent, competitive service in a title eligible to 70.1 transfer to Public Health Specialist 2, Grade 23.

Preferred Qualifications: The preferred candidate will have experience with Environmental Health (EH) Program activities including sanitary surveys of public water system facilities, comprehensive performance evaluations of water filtration plants, evaluation of onsite wastewater treatment facilities, response to waterborne illnesses including Legionella outbreak investigations in health care settings and the community, practical knowledge of Part 5, Subpart 5-1 and Subparts 4-1, 4-2, 5-4, 5-6 and Appendix 75-A of the State Sanitary Code, Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Parts 141 -143, Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), SDWIS Ad-ons and EH Manual Items. The preferred candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, excellent decision-making capability, strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to supervise other staff.

Additional Comments

Frequent travel, including overnights and travel to areas that may not be served by public transportation is required. Work hours can occur on weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours during response to emergencies, outbreaks and other incidents.

One full-time competitive or non-competitive permanent, or provisional appointment opportunity.

For additional information about NY HELPS Program, please refer to

Transfer candidates may be asked for their Social Security Number to verify your transfer eligibility. For more information on transfer types, transfer eligibility criteria, and the current transfer determinants for your title, visit the following website:

If less than three interested and qualified New York State Department of Health employees serving in the direct-line, lower-level title(s) within the agency apply to this opportunity, the agency may make a non-competitive appointment under the NY HELPS program.

Degrees awarded from educational institutions outside of the United States, or its territories must be independently verified for equivalency.

Please see for additional information.

This position is part of the NYS HELPS program. No examination is required.

This position may require travel throughout New York State including overnights to areas not served by public transportation.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit:

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact by phone 518-486-1812 or email [email protected] to make a request.

NYS Department of Health does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.