PROGRAM MANAGER, OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Definition

Under the direction of an executive officer or supervisory official in a state department, is responsible for the management and administration of all phases of an assigned program including the strategic planning, organizing, and implementing of functional program activities and mandates; recommending, developing, and implementing policy with regard to the recognition and control of occupational and environmental health or safety hazards; developing program activities for the recognition of high risk worker and community populations; and for the identification and prevention of occupational or environmental related diseases; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Administers and directs the activities of a program including mandated safety programs and occupational and environmental activities, surveillance projects, research studies, and field work in accordance with existing administrative and fiscal guidelines.
• Supervises and directs the activities of subordinate staff to implement programmatic activities related to occupational or environmental health or safety concerns.
• Develops program priority plans and policies to accommodate new statutory and contract responsibilities.
• Develops "work plans" for new projects which include identification of responsibilities, design of appropriate activities and methodological approaches, and development of budget and milestone chart.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for evaluating employees, and for recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Evaluates the delivery of program services to assure that occupational or environmental health or safety services are being provided in the most efficient and effective manner.
• Maintains liaison with federal agencies for the purpose of obtaining maximum financial support and administrative guidance to promote occupational or environmental health or safety program services.
• May coordinate with the various facility safety officers a standardized work operation and/or functional program of safety including organization and functions of institutional safety committees.
• May coordinate and supervises the revision of rules, regulations, health standards, and orders that may be required to implement the statutory authority, powers, and duties imposed on programs for the purpose of effectively regulating public and private employers and other entities and activities over which the program has jurisdiction.
• Coordinates and supervises investigations conducted on behalf of the program and enforcement of program rules and regulations.
• May direct staff on enforcement policies and procedures in coordination with efforts of the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation.
• Develops and maintains liaison with community leaders, local health officials, and/or state agencies to aid in the identification of community and department needs and in planning for program services.
• Plans and develops specific educational programs in occupational or environmental health and safety for civic, educational, industrial, and local health groups, medical professional groups, and other interested groups.
• Plans, supervises, and collects data for the preparation of state and/or federal budget requests.
• Prepares reports on program activities and studies including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Develops, reviews, and analyzes all health and occupational or environmental related publications and other documents pertaining to current research developments, and disseminates information to program staff.
• Prepares applications for federal and other funds through the design of original and creative research projects and studies.
• Directs the acquisition, control, and maintenance of supplies and equipment to ensure availability for ongoing and proposed research projects.
• Prepares and edits annual, monthly, and other program research and grant reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations; prepares annual budget request.
• Prepares, clear, sound, accurate, and informative written reports, containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning the elimination of hazard conditions and practices.
• May interpret Occupational Safety and Health regulations and standards for interested individuals and staff.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Master's degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Epidemiology, Toxicology, or Environmental Science and Engineering.

OR

A Juris Doctorate.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in a relevant field such as occupational health, environmental science and engineering, environmental health, environmental science, industrial hygiene, toxicology, health education, epidemiology, public health administration; or in compliance/enforcement of laws; or in the preparation and interpretation of laws, rules, regulations, and administrative codes. Two (2) years of this experience shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of planning, organizing, implementing, and managing safety and/or occupational or environmental program staff and activities.
• Knowledge of the purpose, methods, and techniques of education for management, workers, and health or environmental professionals.
• Knowledge of the problems involved in supervising the work and functioning of field investigators assigned to a specific program.
• Knowledge of the techniques used in tabulating and analyzing occupational or environmental health or safety data contained in reports.
• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures utilized in the preparation of legal documents, rules, and regulations in the enforcement of program activities.
• Knowledge of the principals involved in planning, organizing, and preparing legal documents, rules, and regulations pertaining to program activities.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret to others modern methods of occupational and environmental disease detection, prevention, and control.
• Ability to present technical information in face-to-face contacts.
• Ability to acquire, interpret, and apply knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and laws pertaining to compliance and enforcement of program activities.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic law and department policies and procedures.
• Ability to collect, tabulate, and interpret statistical data and to perform statistical analysis.
• Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, nurses, patients, local health personnel, and other health professionals.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative case histories and reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

A Doctoral degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Occupation Health, Epidemiology, Toxicology, or Environmental Science and Engineering may be substituted for two (2) years of the nonsupervisory experience.