Field Operations Officer

Role overview

This position is responsible for helping ensure that consumer health, environmental health, smoking, noise, and air quality rules are followed across assigned areas. The role supports enforcement work for the Environmental Health Department by inspecting sites, handling complaints, reviewing permits, educating the public, and coordinating with other teams and community stakeholders.

The job posting outlines a general set of duties for this classification and is not intended to include every task that may be assigned.

Core duties

• Explain Environmental Health Department programs, cannabis regulations, consumer health ordinances, and air quality board rules to public officials, community groups, policy makers, boards, and commissions.
• Carry out inspections and field checks at different times and locations to confirm compliance, then begin and track enforcement follow-up when needed.
• Attend meetings with air quality, cannabis, and consumer health stakeholders, as well as city/county committees and neighborhood associations.
• Maintain permit and complaint records, and gather, organize, analyze, and report data to support enforcement and program analysis.
• Review permit applications, determine whether permits should be approved or denied, and explain application issues or permit requirements to applicants.
• Plan and carry out long-term and short-term projects, programs, and public outreach efforts to strengthen environmental health in the city and county.
• Supervise assigned Environmental Health staff and help train and guide employees working on related studies and programs.
• Prepare proposals and bid documents, evaluate bids, and oversee contract execution.
• Use computer-based analysis tools and prepare technical reports to support environmental health protection work.
• Coordinate studies, programs, special projects, and related activities with city departments, outside agencies, and community members.

Consumer Health Protection duties

• Handle permits for food service establishments, public pools and spas, and body art and tattoo construction and operations.
• Enforce food safety, swimming pool and spa, building, zoning, smoke, noise, and antifreeze ordinances through inspections, citations, education, and complaint investigations.
• Review, approve, or deny construction plans and blueprints for food service facilities, including new builds, remodels, and conversions, before construction begins.
• Perform pre-opening and final construction inspections for food service facilities before the expected opening date.
• Provide on-site technical support to Consumer Health Protection staff, especially on plumbing, electrical, construction, zoning, and enforcement issues.
• Create and deliver training for food inspectors on zoning, plan review, and construction inspection enforcement procedures.
• Support data management, quality checks, and staff training for consumer health work.
• Process permits for public and community events related to noise ordinances and investigate smoking and noise complaints.

Additional responsibilities and working conditions

• Keep current with new trends and developments in environmental health through meetings and professional groups.
• Carry out related tasks as needed to support department and division goals.
• May be required to work evenings, late nights, weekends, and at remote or isolated locations.
• Work may involve field and laboratory settings, travel between sites, exposure to hazardous chemicals, computer screen use, and wearing a respirator and protective equipment for extended periods.

Minimum qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, natural science, environmental science, law, or engineering is required, along with five years of experience in code enforcement, code compliance, environmental compliance, or inspection work involving federal, state, county, or city ordinance enforcement and investigations. Two of those years must include supervisory experience.

Education directly related to the minimum qualifications may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Additional requirements by assignment

Air Quality Program: A valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain one by the hire date, is required. A City Operator's Permit (COP) must be obtained within six months of hire.

Consumer Health Protection Division: A valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain one by the hire date, is required. A City Operator's Permit (COP) must be obtained within six months of hire. A Certified Professional - Food Safety credential or a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential is preferred, or must be obtained within two years of hire. A National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool Operator certification or Certified Pool & Spa Inspector credential is required or must be obtained within six months of hire.

Cannabis Services Division: A valid driver's license, or the ability to obtain one by the hire date, is required. A City Operator's Permit (COP) must be obtained within six months of hire. The role also requires the ability to wear a respirator for extended inspection periods.