Environmental Health Agent at Town of Needham – Needham, Massachusetts

The Town of Needham’s Public Health Division is seeking an engaged individual for the position of Environmental Health Agent. Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Public Health for Community and Environmental Health, this role provide public health services and enforces state and federal environmental sanitary codes, Town bylaws, and Board of Health regulations. The ideal candidate is comfortable communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of stakeholders and enforcing environmental health codes.

Schedule: 37.5 hours/week full-time, regular (non-exempt, eligible for overtime)

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm;

• Tuesday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm;

• Friday, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Note: After hours and emergency response may be required, all of which would be eligible for overtime compensation.

This position is funded within the Town’s operating budget (municipally-funded).

CON #26088

These duties are a general summary and not all inclusive:

• Inspects and evaluates health risks and complaints received in food, nuisance (noise/odors/pests), housing, tobacco, public and semi-public swimming pools and other relevant locations in town for compliance with appropriate state and federal laws and local ordinances.
• Conducts plan reviews, investigates foodborne illness complaints, conducts administrative hearings, issues order letters, and may impose fines and order establishment closures to ensure safe food operations.
• Reviews online permit applications, issues permits, and reviews plans for construction and renovation of public and semi-public swimming pools, food establishments; inspects, reviews, and approves plans for private sewage disposal systems for Title Five compliance; reviews plans regarding additions to homes on septic systems, and plans for irrigation and other wells for compliance with established regulations.
• Assesses health risks and conducts inspections pertaining to off-street drainage for subdivisions, solid waste, noise, water, vector control, and air pollution when directed; interprets indoor air and water quality tests and other reports as needed.
• Inspects and evaluates and responds to complaints at residential and public housing facilities for conformance to Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation including enforcement of the Lead Poisoning Prevention law.
• Organizes and participates in rabies inoculation program; serves as Assistant Animal Inspector.
• Prepares cases for court as needed; attends monthly Board of Health meetings and presents environmental reports to the Board of Health.
• May provide training on issues related to environmental health regulations and regional support.
• Other duties as required.
• After hours and emergency response may be required, all of which would be eligible for overtime compensation

The following requirements may be substituted by any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job:

• Completion of four-year college degree program in public health, environmental health, or a related field.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of relevant experience in sanitation, environmental health, or a related field.
• Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a variety of stakeholders.

The following must be possessed upon hire or obtained after hire:

• Active and valid CPR/AED credential from either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross either at hire or within one year of hire.
• At hire hold a minimum of three of the following and, within eighteen (18) months of hire, obtain at least seven of the following credentials:
  • MA Septic system inspector’s license;
  • MA Soil evaluator’s credential;
  • Lead determination certification;
  • Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS) credential;
  • SERV Safe Certified Food Safety Manager;
  • Food Allergy Training certification;
  • Proof of training completion of the FDA’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Training;
  • Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) credential;
  • MA DPH Food and Housing Inspector - Local Public Health Intensive Training (LPHIT) Food and Housing courses, formerly known as MA PHIT.
  • or other related licenses as determined by the Director of Health & Human Services.
• Must be a Certified Health Officer (CHO) within twenty-four (24) months of hire.
• Must be a nationally-Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or a state or national credentialed registered sanitarian (RS) within thirty (30) months of hire.
• Code enforcement experience a plus, specifically experience conducting food inspections in enforcement of the 2022 Federal Food Code. Experience with electronic food inspection software systems/use of iPads, etc., for food, housing and pool inspections and data analysis and reporting.
• A background in policy and/or education attained through either work experience or else a graduate degree in public health, education, or a related field is highly desired.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking “Apply.”

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on April 9, 2026.

The Town of Needham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and encouraging workplace. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, national origin, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, veteran status, or any other protected class. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.

For general employment inquiries, please contact us at personnel@needhamma.gov.

The Town of Needham will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at tswanson@needhamma.gov.