Under administrative direction, assists with the
organization, operation and administration of the San Joaquin County
Environmental Health Department by performing highly responsible administrative
and managerial work in support of departmental operations and programs; directs
and coordinates the work of subordinate staff; acts for the Director of
Environmental Health in his/her absence; and does related or other work as
required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Assistant Director – Environmental Health is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system. The incumbent reports to the Director of Environmental Health and serves as the assistant department head, acting in the
absence of the Director as required and functioning under the direct extension of the Director’s authority. The incumbent performs senior-level management duties in order to assist with the administration of departmental budgets, functions, and activities, while
helping to ensure their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies established by the Director, the County Administrator, and the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent is expected to model a strong work ethic and leadership skills, including
accountability for oneself and others.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive and the responsibilities and duties assigned to the position in this class may expand beyond those identified in the specification.
Assists the Director in planning, organizing, and directing the activities, functions, budgets and programs within the Environmental Health Department; develops and recommends operational objectives; directs assigned operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce administrative and service provision costs, and ensure effective utilization of available resources; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the organizational mission, vision, and values.
Recommends, implements and revises work systems and procedures; recommends standards of performance; advises department staff on more difficult or complex problems; may assist staff with, or participate in, the most difficult activities.
Assists with the development and implementation of quality control and quality improvement programs and initiatives; analyzes and monitors performance indicators and ensures that assigned operations meet established standards; recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and superior customer service.
Directs the activities of assigned staff through subordinate managers and supervisors; selects, supervises, trains, and evaluates staff, and evaluates performance; reviews and takes action on disciplinary matters; directs staff training and development.
Assists with the establishment of departmental policies and procedures; ensures that assigned operations are in compliance with established policies, procedures, rules and regulations; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal, state, and local legislation, policies, procedures, and other directives to determine impact on operations.
Directs and/or assists with the preparation, presentation, and administration of departmental budgets; analyzes fiscal information and recommends cost efficiency options; analyzes program data and reviews and prepares fiscal reports and recommendations; ensures the appropriate accounting of fees collected; develops and recommends budgetary controls.
Seeks grant opportunities and helps design grant plans; writes and prepares grant proposals and directs the implementation of grant projects.
Assists with the effective development and utilization of technology to improve departmental systems and processes.
Analyzes, interprets, and summarizes complex narrative information and statistical data, including laws, regulations and technical environmental health information; prepares and/or directs the preparation of detailed and comprehensive reports, records and correspondence for department and/or County management, as well as for federal, state, or other external agencies; prepares Board of Supervisors’ reports and related documents; ensures that required records are maintained.
Represents the department at public meetings; makes presentations on department programs and activities to groups and individuals, including boards and commissions; obtains community input on environmental issues; attends public hearings and meetings; provides testimony as required.
Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships and may represent the Environmental Health Department to federal, state, and County officials, other counties, community groups, and the public; meets and confers with various agents to negotiate effective solutions to difficult problems.
Attends meetings and conferences; participates on committees and task forces pertaining to issues germane to the department; acts for the Director as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Possession of a master’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, public health, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Five years of environmental health-related management experience, including at least two years in a public sector agency.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Registration: Possession of a valid certificate as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California Department of Health Services.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and effective practices of public administration, including organization, fiscal management, personnel management, public relations, and staff supervision; principles, practices, procedures, organization and operation of a county environmental health department, including related federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards; the agencies, officials and resources involved in the environmental health field and the authority delegated to local law enforcement agencies with regard to environmental health issues; principles and practices of budgeting, program management, project management, long-range planning and customer service; modern office automation technology and software relevant to environmental health operations; methods of gathering, organizing and presenting data; methods of obtaining and managing grants.
ABILITY
Assist with planning, assigning and directing the staff and activities of complex environmental health programs in a cost effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, other departments, and pertinent stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret and apply complex rules and regulations pertaining to assigned operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state, or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and present short and long-range plans; appear before and/or conduct public meetings; make presentations to various groups and individuals, including the County Board of Supervisors, as assigned; recommend the development and utilization of automated systems; prepare and administer budgets and financial and statistical records; interpret and apply complex technical and legal material; communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; make presentations to groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including the general public, department staff, advocacy groups, and other departments and agencies both internal and external to San Joaquin County government.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—frequent operation of a data entry device; frequent repetitive motion, sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time; occasional driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting—frequent lifting of 5 pounds or less; occasional lifting of 5 to 30 pounds; Visual—frequent need to visually identify the evidence of such things as pests and health conditions; constant need for good overall vision and reading/close-up work; constant reading of computer screens; frequent need for color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity---frequent reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; frequent writing; Hearing/Talking—frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological—frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; occasional public speaking, dealing with emergency situations, exposure to trauma, grief, death; occasional exposure to heights and potential for exposure to hazardous materials; Special Requirements--some assignments may require working weekends or nights, or working alone; Environmental—occasional working in outside conditions of cold, heat, rain, or snow; occasional working in areas of poor ventilation.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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