Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

The Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health’s Community Sanitation Program (CSP) works cooperatively with state agencies, local health authorities (LHAs), andvariousotherspecialinterestgroupstohelppreventavoidabledeathandmorbiditythroughenforcementoftheStateSanitaryCode, and related regulations.TheCSP provides a wide range of education, technical assistance, and compliance activities in many areas and disciplines, including the minimum health and sanitation standards, inspection procedures, requirements governing medical records of inmates and the conduct of physical examinations in correctional facilities. The Corrections Specialist is responsible for conducting training, outreach, health and safety audits, surveys, inspections, consultative walk-throughs and evaluations of all state and county correctional facilities to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations promulgated by the Department. Duties will include, inspecting all state and county correctional facilities, working cooperatively with correctional facility staff and program health inspectors to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the vulnerable inmate population. In addition, data collection and assessment efforts will be prioritized using variables including population volume; cell sizes; age of facilities; structural, building and ventilation systems and components; extreme heat vulnerabilities and mitigation measures; inspection history and remedial efforts, complaint history and resolve, and other related topics. The collection of this data will be used as the foundation for developing and maintaining a database to establish effective and efficient policies and procedures and help prioritize and track compliance, environmental changes, complaints, responses, and aging infrastructure at the correctional facilities across the state. As part of the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health, trainings, policies, and new initiatives that promote climate resiliency for our most vulnerable populations is a top priority and the Corrections Specialist will, in conjunction with senior leadership, identify opportunities for the program to promote and support this objective. _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):_ * Conduct and assess regulatory compliance inspections, health and safety audits, consultative walk-throughs and surveys of correctional facilities as it relates to food, water, bedding, plumbing, ventilation, indoor air temperature and relative humidity, as well as general health and safety provisions. Identify and support inter-agency cooperative efforts to better acknowledge and address the limitations of aging infrastructure of some of the correctional facilities across the state. * Evaluate and reply to responsive plans of correction and determine effective enforcement actions or corrective measures to be implemented when violations of laws and regulations are identified. Recommend operational strategies for dealing with compliance and enforcement in the areas of public health and safety. Partner with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and MA Sheriff’s Association and other advocates to identify temporary mitigation strategies when funding for capital improvements is needed. * Conduct meetings, outreach, trainings, and/or conferences with inter-agency staff, program staff, contractors, advocacy groups and other special interest groups, as the subject content expert on health and safety requirements including climate/environmental issues such as managing, monitoring and mitigating extreme heat and the public health effects. * Receive and respond to complaints. Partner with Bureau and IT staff to develop and maintain an electronic database to track complaints and responses to incarcerated individuals, family state and county correctional facilities. Enhance and expand the program standardized response system to better identify and address crucial concerns associated with the living conditions inside correctional facilities. * Review, revise and implement standard operating procedures for monitoring correctional facilities including inspection criteria, documentation review and approval requirements, corrective action evaluation checklists and response templates, and decision-making processes including escalation and notification procedures when there are repeated violations of concern and unresponsive facilities that fail to act on corrective action recommendations. * Collect data and work with Bureau leadership and IT to build a statewide facility database to identify cell size, air conditioning, population, aging infrastructure, capital projects, and other relevant information related to limitations and the improvement of each correctional facility. * Establish and implement an incident response inspection and reporting protocol relating to public health concerns, complaints and conditions at correctional facilities. * Promote an effective cooperative working relationship with the Department of Corrections, Policy Development and Compliance Unit and Massachusetts Sherriff’s Association as well as inmate advocacy groups to balance competing priorities and provide both health-based and practical solutions and transparency. * Review, revise, and implement a model extreme heat management plan for facilities, explore potential to track health trends from medical record review or other available data sets associated with the environment and weather. Work collaboratively with the Environmental Toxicology Program to analyze and present relevant data. * Guide and inform decisions regarding supporting and promoting policies, procedures, guidance and regulatory revisions. * Review and discuss health and safety plans for environmental assessments as it relates to state and county correctional facilities and offer technical expertise based on best practices as it relates to remedial construction projects. * This list is not exhaustive, and the incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as necessary. _Required Qualifications:_ * Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of compliance inspection techniques, principles, practices, regulations, terminology and procedures. * Able to read and interpret documents such as laws, regulations, policies, procedures, inspection reports and correction orders. * Capacity to adapt to varying work conditions and situations, including at home, inside the office and in the field including inside correctional facilities. * Proficient in communicating with individuals to understand and effectively share information both verbally and in written format. * Capacity to determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions, recommend appropriate action and support enforcement actions. * Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures governing assigned Program activities. * Proficient in training methods and techniques including planning and conducting training in a correctional setting. * Capable to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with diverse professionals and the public. * Highly skilled in technical and concise report writing methods, including effective structuring, formatting, and content organization. * Capacity to collect, organize and maintain accurate records. * Capable of responding calmly and providing constructive feedback. * Familiarity with the instruments and equipment used in measuring environmental conditions and to perform mathematical calculations to solve environmental science problems. * Capability to work independently and virtually with minimal direction while collaborating in a team environment. * Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Teams, Outlook, and Word. * Able to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluation; determining subordinates’ training needs and providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action. _Preferred Qualifications:_ * Proficient in interpreting different chapters of the State Sanitary Code while offering insight and expertise. * Valid MA driver's license and reliable transportation.Ability to operate a motor vehicle. * Capacity to determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions, recommend appropriate action and support enforcement actions. * Abilitytorecommendoperationalstrategies fordealingwithcomplianceandenforcement intheareaofpublic health and environmental protection. * Abilitytounderstand,apply,andexplainthepolicies,procedures,specifications,standards,guidelines,laws,rules andregulationsgoverningassignedBureauactivities,specificallyenvironmentalhealth-relatedresearchand industrystandards. _About the Department of Public Health:_ The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems. More information can be found at:* MA Department of Public Health *_Pre-Hire Process:_ A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete theReasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. # 4 First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. * MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology,. natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* III. A Graduate degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *COVID Vaccine:As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Science* *Organization: Department of Public Health *Title: *Corrections Specialist * Location: *Massachusetts-Marlborough - 67 Forest Street Requisition ID: 240002RE