Sanitarian Jobs
Sanitarian jobs are open across public health agencies, food service, environmental health, and hospitality, at levels from entry-level inspector to senior environmental health specialist, with specializations in food safety, water quality, and vector control. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Sanitarian JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 14+ Sanitarian jobs
THE POSITION
Are you ready to help protect public health by ensuring safe drinking water for communities across Pennsylvania? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Sanitarian Trainee and learn how to safeguard drinking water supplies throughout the Commonwealth. This position offers a fulfilling blend of field work, public outreach, and technical problem solving. Your efforts will help communities maintain safe and reliable water systems. Apply today to build a meaningful career that supports public health every day!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
- System Inspections: Conduct inventories, inspections, and evaluations of public water supply systems
- Compliance Monitoring: Review monitoring results, identify violations, and support corrective actions
- Technical Consultation: Provide guidance to operators, officials, engineers, and members of the public
- Plan Review: Evaluate plans and specifications for water supply facilities and improvements
- Public Education: Deliver presentations, training sessions, and information related to drinking water programs
- Source Protection: Assist with source water assessment protection activities and related field investigations
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Reading. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827.00 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
- Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
- This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
- You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.
THE POSITION
Are you ready to help protect public health by ensuring safe drinking water for communities across Pennsylvania? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Sanitarian Trainee and learn how to safeguard drinking water supplies throughout the Commonwealth. This position offers a fulfilling blend of field work, public outreach, and technical problem solving. Your efforts will help communities maintain safe and reliable water systems. Apply today to build a meaningful career that supports public health every day!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
- System Inspections: Conduct inventories, inspections, and evaluations of public water supply systems
- Compliance Monitoring: Review monitoring results, identify violations, and support corrective actions
- Technical Consultation: Provide guidance to operators, officials, engineers, and members of the public
- Plan Review: Evaluate plans and specifications for water supply facilities and improvements
- Public Education: Deliver presentations, training sessions, and information related to drinking water programs
- Source Protection: Assist with source water assessment protection activities and related field investigations
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Reading. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827.00 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
- Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
- This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
- You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
- Eligibility rules apply.
See All 14 Sanitarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Sanitarian JobsSanitarian Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sanitarian jobs.
- Registered Sanitarian (RS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) credential required or eligible
- Bachelor's degree in environmental health, public health, or a closely related science field
- Experience conducting food service, housing, or environmental inspections in a regulatory setting
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental health codes and regulations
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly within an assigned district or jurisdiction
- Proficiency with inspection management software and electronic reporting systems
Tips for Your Sanitarian Job Search
Tailor your resume to inspection types
Hiring managers scan for specific inspection experience, so list the program areas you've worked in, such as food service, swimming pools, or septic systems, alongside the jurisdiction size and volume of inspections you handled each year.
Lead with your RS or REHS credential
Registered Sanitarian and Registered Environmental Health Specialist credentials are gating requirements in most public health postings, so put them directly below your name on your resume rather than burying them in a certifications section at the bottom.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists sanitarian openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by program area first
Many agencies hire sanitarians into specific programs, like food protection or childhood lead poisoning prevention, rather than general environmental health. Filter your search by program area so you're applying to roles that match your inspection background, not just the job title.
Prepare scenario answers about enforcement calls
Interviewers for sanitarian roles almost always ask how you've handled a business owner who refused to comply with an order. Prepare two or three specific examples from real inspections that show your judgment, communication approach, and how the situation resolved.
Negotiate start date around licensing timelines
If you're awaiting reciprocity or sitting for your RS exam before starting, name that timeline explicitly in your offer discussions. Most public health agencies have handled this before and can align your start date to your credential clearance without rescinding the offer.
Sanitarian Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most sanitarians?
The most active employers for sanitarians right now are Levy, Wayne County, and Cayuga County, and the most openings are in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. County and city health departments make up the largest share of employers overall.
How many sanitarian jobs are remote?
About 33% of sanitarian openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most inspection work requires physical presence in the field. Administrative roles such as program coordination, training development, and policy review within environmental health agencies are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules.
How do you become a sanitarian?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in environmental health, public health, or a related biological or physical science. After graduating, apply for a sanitarian-in-training or intern position with a local or state health department to accumulate the supervised field hours most states require. Once you meet the experience threshold, sit for the National Environmental Health Association's RS examination to earn your Registered Sanitarian credential, which is the standard professional qualification for the role.
How do you get hired as a sanitarian with little experience?
Focus on roles posted as sanitarian-in-training, environmental health technician, or public health inspector, which are designed for candidates still accumulating hours toward full licensure. Internships with county health departments during your degree program are the most direct entry point because they convert into full hiring pipelines more often than external applications. Highlighting coursework in microbiology, food science, or water quality gives your resume specificity even before you have inspection hours on the job.
What does the sanitarian interview process look like?
Most sanitarian interviews run two stages. The first is a structured panel with public health staff that covers your inspection experience, knowledge of relevant codes, and how you handle difficult compliance situations. The second stage, common at county agencies, involves a written exercise or scenario test where you apply regulatory standards to a mock inspection case. Some jurisdictions also require a background check and driving record review before extending a final offer.
Where can I find and apply to sanitarian jobs?
You can find and apply to sanitarian jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your program area, credential status, and location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
See All 14 Sanitarian Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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