Job Responsibilities
Inspecting public operations for conformance to health codes,
ie. restaurants, transient dwellings, swimming places, schools,
etc. inspecting septic system sites for compliance to health
codes. reviewing plans for new facilities described above.
responding to complaints about public places. educating the
public and owners of public establishments about maintaining
sanitation and protecting public health and the environment.
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Job Requirements
To become a registered sanitarian, one must have at least a
bachelors degree with 30 hours of hard science courses. one
must then pass the state's required test. there are some
colleges that have complete env. health programs, but many EHS,
RS persons have graduated with science degrees or the 30 hours
and have studied with a mentor to take the state's test.
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Uppers
Food handler education when students finally understand that there are bacteria
in the environment that can make people sick. when people thank you for helping
them do their jobs better and in a safer manner. being able to meet many people
in different situations and travel around the county that I work in.
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Downers
When people do not cooperate and I have to use enforcement
action rather than education to get them to meet code
requirements.
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Lifestyle
Hours are pretty much standart 8 - 5. some places will make allowances for 4
10's or schedules a bit off the norm, especially to inspect facilities that are
open either earlier or later than the normal work day. some work on weekends for
special events that must be inspected. dress code is mostly nice jeans, boots,
and nice shirts, as going out to inspect a septic field is always an option and
that means "playing in the dirt." travel through-out the county and to seminars
in state and out of state for CEU's.
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Compensation
Base starting salary would be in the thirties somewhere. having
been in the business for >10 years i'm in the forties. no
bonuses, but all the usual benefits apply. being a government
job, once you're in, you're in. deferred comp. retirement and a
state retire. plan.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The prospects are good. bioterrorism is a part of this job and
is BIG right now. water cleanliness will always be an issue.
with increased pop. it can only mean more need of env.
specialists. also industrial hygiene and safety and indoor air
quality are options. non-gov. jobs will pay more, but you will
work harder. good for the new comer with a career bent for the
future. take whatever science courses you like, and some
political sci. and business if you want to become a manager.
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