Job Class: Neighborhood Health Specialist or Environmental Health Apprentice (FT)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Brooklyn Park, MN
Job Type: Regular Full-Time Benefited (40 Hours)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-00124-MP
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 11/01/2023
Vacancies: 1
Address: City Hall, 5200 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN
Posting Type: Open to the public
Position Summary
The City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota's sixth largest municipality is seeking applicants for a position within the Community Development Department. We are looking for a highly motivated and dependable individual who can work in a fast paced, customer focused environment. This position provides a great opportunity to work in a diverse community and experience a variety of community situations for career development. Candidates with all levels of experience and a wide range of skillsets are encouraged to apply.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH APPRENTICE ($64,625.60-$83,033.60)
The primary function of the Environmental Health Apprentice is to respond to neighborhood preservation activities, provide education, outreach, and ensure residents, businesses, and property owners are in compliance with property maintenance, Environmental Health, nuisance, zoning, signs and other regulations. The resolution of community and individual concerns is a significant part of the duties. This position assists with projects involving interdepartmental teams, outside groups (neighborhood associations, business groups, and other outside agencies and individuals) through participation in project management, and community meetings. Pending proper education and certifications, the position may also be cross trained within the division to ensure regulations are met at licensed properties including food establishments, public pools, lodging establishments, and rental housing dwellings.
Successful candidates in this position are self-motivated, able to handle conflict and not internalize it, have effective communication skills, and the ability to provide good customer service to all.
Important Note:

• Upon completion of the apprenticeship training program and successfully fulfilling the education and certification requirements, the Environmental Health Apprentice could be considered for a Neighborhood or Environmental Health Specialist position.

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH SPECIALIST ($73,673.60-$94,660.80)
The primary function of the Neighborhood Health Specialist is to administer neighborhood preservation activities, provide education, outreach, and ensure residents, businesses, and property owners are in compliance with property maintenance, Environmental Health, nuisance, zoning, sign and other regulations. The resolution of community and individual concerns is a significant part of the duties. This position leads projects involving interdepartmental teams, outside groups (neighborhood associations, business groups, and other outside agencies and individuals) through project management principles including facilitating community meetings, developing educational materials, and performance analysis. A portion of this position is dedicated to a special assignment of 20 hours per week for enhanced code enforcement activities within designated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) eligible neighborhoods, which includes interpretation, coordination and enforcement activities relating to codes and regulations for nuisances, property maintenance, housing, Environmental Health, zoning, signs, and other city, state and federal regulations. The special assignment portion of this position may be discontinued in the event CDBG funding is no longer available or reallocated to another city priority.
Pending proper education and certifications, the position may also be cross trained within the division to ensure regulations are met at licensed properties including food establishments, public pools, lodging establishments, and rental housing dwellings.
Application End Date: Recruitment will continue until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received as determined by Human Resources. First review of applications will be on November 15, 2023. If you have interest in this position, it is highly recommended that you apply upon seeing the announcement as the vacancy may close without notice.
This posting may be used to fill one (1) Neighborhood Health Specialist OR one (1) Environmental Health Apprentice. This position is partially funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify, analyze, and resolve community issues proactively and in response to complaints regarding health and safety and quality of life issues. (Property maintenance, public health, housing, nuisance, zoning, swimming pools, etc.). Determine outcomes such as referrals and type of enforcement actions required (citations, abatement, condemnations, closures, etc.) or escalation of issues.
• Maintain databases and programs to measure performance of department and city programs to include surveys of neighborhood sweeps, statistics and info for yearly reports. Utilize computer skills in applications to support department and community programs, work assignments and cross training.
• Develop and lead individual, interdepartmental and cross-functional team projects, investigations and reports. Perform administration activities such as planning and coordinating neighborhood meetings, preparing legal documents for court, providing written communications to stakeholders.
• Conduct public education and outreach, policy and ordinance review. Involves leading public meetings with neighborhood associations, businesses, agencies and other groups. Review effectiveness of policies and ordinances. Accurately and effectively communicate in written and oral form to multilevel and diverse audiences in both technical and marketing formats.
• Conduct supervision related activities such as recruitment, training, and supervision of seasonal intern staff.
• Other duties as assigned for division, department and organization.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
High school or equivalent
Experience
Experience with Microsoft Office programs and applications.
Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH SPECIALIST QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Environmental Health, Housing or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience
Experience
One (1) year equivalent inspection experience in Environmental Health, code enforcement, planning, building, housing or related field
Licenses/Certifications

• ICC/AACE Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector or other equivalent certification within one year of employment
• Valid driver's license

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of city codes and ordinances, state statutes and federal regulations related to property maintenance
• Proficient in computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and various databases
• Ability to handle difficult situations and difficult customers in a tactful and professional manner
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectations and satisfaction
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
• Embrace and engage in the cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Community Development, Environmental Health, Housing or related field
• Three (3) years equivalent inspection experience in Environmental Health, code enforcement, property maintenance, building, planning, housing or related field
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office programs to include Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access
• Registered as a Sanitarian/Environmental HealthSpecialist or ability to become registered within two (2) years of employment
• Current certification as Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector or equivalent
• Project management experience
• BrookLynk program alumni
• Current graduate or undergraduate level studies (or recent graduate) in Brooklyn Park
• Current involvement in community development or civic organizations and activities
• Experience working with people to resolve conflict
• Community outreach and education experience
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s)

Background Check
The City has determined that a thorough Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (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. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
About Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Additional Information
Resume RequestedTo help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume to their application to be considered for this position.
Department/Division: Community Development Department/Environmental Health
Anticipated Hiring Wage: Dependent on qualifications
Anticipated Work Schedule: Full-time, non-union, non-exempt position; flexible work schedule to include a standard eight (8)-hour workday
Start Date: Start date flexible subject to candidate availability
Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (30 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:
Vacation

• New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
• Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year

Sick Leave

• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month with unlimited accumulation

Holidays

• 12 paid holidays per year

Health Insurance:

• Employees may choose between two health plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
• The City contributes to the cost of health insurance

Dental Insurance

• Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan

Life Insurance

• The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional voluntary and dependent term life insurance at group rates

Disability Insurance

• Long-term disability insurance available at group rates

Retirement

• Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions
• Optional 457 deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)

• Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services

Fitness

• Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered

Direct Deposit (mandatory)

• Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday

Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:

• Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
• PERA Life
• Flexible Spending
• Deferred Comp, if enrolled.

Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.
01
Please indicate which position you are interested in and meet the minimum qualifications for:

• Environmental Health Apprentice
• Neighborhood Health Specialist

02
Are you enrolled in, previously enrolled in, or have you successfully completed a degree in Community Development, Environmental Health, Housing or related field?

• Yes, currently enrolled in or previously enrolled in
• Yes, I have an Associate's degree
• Yes, Bachelor's degree or higher
• No, I have a degree in an unrelated field
• No