To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Michelle Estell, RS, MSA, Acting Health Officer
title
RE: Approval to create, post and fill one (1) Environmental Health Sanitarian position.
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to create, post and fill one (1) Environmental Health Sanitarian position.
BACKGROUND:
The role of the Environmental Health Sanitarian has broadened over the past few years with the emergence of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sites, Legionella, lead awareness, Triple-E, West Nile Virus, HAB (harmful algae blooms), mercury spills and Radon. Also, due to an increase in food facilities, land division development and alternate system installations, the involvement of a sanitarian has expanded
DISCUSSION:
The position will involve special projects. The sanitarian will have responsibilities associated with, but not limited to, knowledge gathering related to emerging threats, management of water filters/cartridge tracking and distribution, and working in collaboration with EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy), MDHHS (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services), LARA (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, other LHDs, etc. Involvement with any local emergency, spill, and/or contamination discovery is also included. This position will be located in Environmental Health. The EH program licenses and/or regulates the following programs: on-site wastewater, food facilities, public pools/spas, private, Type 2 and Type 3 wells, body art, campgrounds and adult/child foster care homes and daycares. Majority are accredited programs.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
Human resources will be needed throughout the entirety of the process to post and fill this position.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Position is budgeted for current FY budget. Funding source is 2210-626.01-702.000 and related fringe accounts. No additional County appropriation is required; the creation of this position, which will be fully funded through the ELPHS (Essential Local Health Department Services) grant.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
The position will be stationed in the existing area of sanitarians in EH.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Login will need to be created and a device will need to be programmed for the position.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The purpose of this position within the Environmental Health Division is to promote a safe environment for the county and to enhance our relationships with community partners across the State of Michigan. The knowledge gained in this position will help plan and create a type of community that will be safe and encourage growth.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Acting Health Officer to authorize establishing, posting, and filling one (1) Environmental Health Sanitarian position, said new position to be fully funded by 2210-626.01-702.000 and related fringe accounts, with no County appropriation required, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the February 21, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board finds that extenuating circumstances exist supporting waiver of the hiring freeze, and directs the Director of Human Resources to have the necessary personnel position number created, as necessary, for said position and to commence the hiring process so that the position may be filled as soon as practicable in accordance with County policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreement.