Environmental Health Services Manager, (B252930-2), 212, Environmental Health Services

Job Description

Revised: 10/01/2025

The Environmental Health Services Manager provides leadership and direction for programs that protect the health and safety of the Laredo community. This position oversees environmental public health operations including food safety, air and water quality, vector control, sanitation, and pollution prevention. The Manager coordinates closely with city, county, state, federal, and international partners, and plays a critical role in advancing public health equity, sustainability, and emergency preparedness in a binational border community.

Essential Functions/ Job Competencies/ Physical Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Plans, directs, and evaluates environmental health programs, including food safety, air quality monitoring, vector control, pollution surveillance, water quality, and sanitation services.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates staff to ensure compliance with professional standards, city policies, and state and federal regulations.
• Develops and coordinates emergency response plans for environmental public health threats, including climate-related events, disease outbreaks, and hazardous material incidents.
• Collaborates with local, state, federal, and binational agencies on joint preparedness and response activities.
• Directs air quality surveillance efforts.
• Provides public education on air quality alerts and protective measures for vulnerable populations.
• Ensures environmental public health programs address health equity.
• Builds partnerships with schools, community groups, and media to promote awareness of environmental public health risks.
• Develops bilingual and culturally responsive outreach materials for community programs.
• Oversees the use of digital inspection, licensing, and reporting systems to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Assists with GIS mapping, data analytics, and early-warning systems to track environmental hazards and disease trends.
• Advises city leadership on emerging environmental public health issues and regulatory needs.
• Develops and recommends updates to ordinances, policies, and enforcement strategies to align with CDC, EPA, and state standards.
• Provides ongoing training and professional development opportunities for staff to remain current with best practices, technology, and regulations.
• Establishes and monitors performance metrics for environmental public health programs.
• Leads continuous quality improvement initiatives to ensure programs are effective, efficient, and evidence based.
• Serves as liaison to governmental, academic, and international organizations on environmental public health initiatives.
• Represents the City of Laredo in binational forums addressing shared challenges such as water safety, air quality, and vector control.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for city business use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of environmental sanitation.
• Knowledge in the application of basic accounting principles necessary to accomplish financial management tasks such as preparing budgets and monitoring program costs.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to sanitation and public health.
• Knowledge of structures and functions of public health organizations.
• Knowledge of community resources and interrelationships.
• Knowledge of current trends in public health progress.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to plan, direct, and supervise sanitation and public health programs.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate conditions.
• Ability to assume and carry continuing responsibilities.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public
• Ability to express ideal clearly and concisely.
• Ability to make independent decisions in accordance with established polices and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to speak before public groups and make presentations
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
• Ability to maintain valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English and Spanish language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Effort Requirements

Position will have the following exposures

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations

Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments

Sometimes

• Outdoor environment
• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space
• Vehicles
• Warehouse environment

Frequently

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures

Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Never:

• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances

Seldom

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Travel

Position will require the employee to travel

Never

• International travel

Seldom:

• National travel

Sometimes:

• Regional travel

Frequently

• Local travel

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited* college or university with at least fifteen (15) semester hours in a basic or natural science
• At least six (6) years of experience in environmental sanitation infectious disease control, laboratory detection, food borne or water disease prevention of which three (3) years were in a supervisory capacity. Master's degree in Natural Science, Public Health, Sanitary Science, or Environmental Science is preferred.

• Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)

Valid Licenses and Certifications

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
• Texas Community Health Worker Certification by the Texas Department of State Health Services is required
• Registered Sanitarian (RS) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TX DSHS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is required
• Certifications must be attached to the job application

• Certified in Public Health (CPH)

**Continued employment is contingent on successfully obtaining required certification(s) and/or license(s) within the specified period of time indicated above from time of hire.

• Certified Insecticide Applicator's License preferred and willing to obtain within one (1) year of employment**

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480 two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.

City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.

• 10 days of paid vacation per year
• 6 1/2 days sick leave per year
• Pension plan
• 16 paid Holidays
• Paid health*
• Dental plan*
• Life insurance*

• 30 day waiting period