PRINCIPAL REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
PUBLIC HEALTH

DEFINITION:

Under direction, performs the work of a Registered Environmental 
Health Specialist involved in the investigation and enforcement of 
public health laws within the concerned jurisdiction, and supervises 
Registered Environmental Health Specialists who are involved in 
the investigation and enforcement of sanitary, environmental, 
and public health laws; conducts inspections, investigations, 
and educational outreach activities; performs other related 
duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative 
purposes only.  A particular position using this title may not perform 
all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties 
performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Supervises Environmental Health Specialists and trainees in 
carrying out the tasks of inspection, investigation, and enforcement 
work necessary to maintain compliance with relevant sanitary, 
environmental, and public health laws rules, and ordinances.

Organizes assigned technical field and office work and develops 
effective work methods.

Takes the lead in planning, training, and supervising work 
of senior Registered Environmental Health Specialists, 
Registered Environmental Health Specialists, and 
Registered Environmental Health Specialist trainees.

Conducts activities related to licensing, operation, and 
enforcement of sanitary, environmental, and public health 
laws and rules of regulated activities and facilities.

Confers with Health Officer, engineers, veterinarians, and 
Registered Environmental Health Specialists concerning 
improvements in public health and sanitation.

Conducts surveys and investigations of communicable 
diseases and epidemics which may be traceable to lack 
of environmental sanitation.

Reviews and may approve plans for residential, commercial, 
and industrial development as necessary to ensure 
compliance with sanitary, environmental, and public health 
laws, rules, and ordinances.

Collects water, food, and other specimens as needed 
for laboratory analysis and interpret the results of the 
subsequent analysis.

May respond to emergency situations.

Plans and conducts routine and emergency environmental 
health inspections and investigations and provides technical 
expertise to ensure operator and/or owner conformance with 
environmental health laws, rules, and ordinances.

Maintains, updates, and analyzes environmental health records,
findings of inspections, and other data to ensure proper 
documentation and continuity of environmental health protection.

Prepares reports and findings as witness to environmental 
health violations in court cases and hearings.

Reviews new environmental health policy and implements 
the requirements of said policy as necessary.

Educates and communicates environmental risks to the 
public, media, and other interested parties.

Assists the public, local health agency personnel, and other 
officials with recommendations and resources on various 
environmental health matters consistent with environmental 
laws, rules, or ordinances and suitable abatement practices.

Investigates foodborne, airborne, waterborne, and other 
suspected disease outbreaks as required.

Keeps current with professional developments in 
environmental health technologies, information systems, 
and technical advancements in the field.

Reviews and analyzes records and reports and makes 
recommendations regarding new laws, rules, and 
ordinances which are needed for control of environmental 
sanitation, and for methods of improving the operation 
of existing controls.

May participate in the establishment or direction of 
community, public or environmental health programs.

Assembles, reviews, and utilizes articles, bulletins, 
demonstrations, and other educational methods and 
materials concerning varied phases of environmental sanitation.

Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational 
unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, 
enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, 
promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.

Maintains liaison with local boards of health in all areas 
of environmental health.

Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations.

Performs other duties or special projects as required or 
as assigned.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic 
and/or manual recording and information systems used by 
the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

Four (4) years of experience in performing the duties 
incumbent upon a Registered Environmental Health 
Specialist in the enforcement of relevant sanitary, 
environmental, and public health laws, rules, and ordinances.

LICENSE:

Appointees must possess an active Registered Environmental 
Health Specialist License issued by the NJ Department of Health 
and Senior Services.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the problems/procedures involved in sanitary inspection 
and environmental health work for the enforcement of relevant sanitary, 
environmental and public health laws, rules and ordinances.

Knowledge of the broad field of public health.

Ability to assess environmental health risks and influences on humans 
and the environment.

Ability to organize assigned supervisory and other work and develop 
effective work methods.

Ability to develop work programs and work procedures for a group 
of subordinates.

Ability to give assignments and instructions to assigned employees.

Ability to interpret relevant sanitary, environmental, and public health 
laws and rules and apply them to specific cases.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships 
with coworkers and others involved in the work of the unit.

Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative 
supervisory and other reports containing findings, conclusions, 
and recommendations.

Ability to testify accurately in court.

Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of records and files.

Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 
and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in 
English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American 
Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable 
forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as 
they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable 
accommodation is made to their known limitations.  If the 
accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the 
employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

CODES: LG - 02848                 MER                  11/15/07

This job spec if for local government use only.