Promotive Only - Principal Environmental Health Inspector (6124) - Citywide (163746)

Company Description

THIS IS A CITYWIDE RECRUITMENT FOR CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This is a Promotional Only recruitment in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is restricted to current permanent civil service employees of the City and County of San Francisco working within the immediate lower-level classification, 6122 Senior Environmental Health Inspector.

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

• Application Opening – Thursday, February 12, 2026
• Application Deadline – Application filing will close on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
• Salary: $150,744 – $183,144 Annually 
• Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service 
• Recruitment ID: 163746

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future and current vacancies in this class at other locations within the DPH for the duration of the eligible list. 

Job Description

Under general direction, supervises a number of inspectors in the regular inspection of food and drink establishments, housing, industrial plants and premises in an assigned district for public health and safety hazards in order to enforce established laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the abatement of violations found; personally conducts special investigations of highly important and especially difficult cases and makes recommendations and special reports thereon; and performs related duties as required.

Essential duties include: 

1. Administers and is directly responsible for the work assignments and performance of a Senior Environmental Inspector, inspectors and auxiliary office and clerical personnel; re-views reports and findings of inspectors; interprets applicable laws, ordinances, directives and established policies and procedures.

2. Administers the investigation of complaints involving all buildings; takes necessary action to abate illegal health, sanitary and safety conditions; coordinates efforts with appropriate city departments in the enforcement of the building, electrical, plumbing, fire and police codes; appears as witness in court litigation when required and testifies in cases involving food establishments, housing, commercial buildings, hazardous materials and waste facilities and other matters,

3. Administers the conduct of complaint inspections of dwellings, hotels, apartment houses, and other multiple dwellings, relative to sanitation, general maintenance of structural and operational features, light, ventilation, use and occupancy, safety and for compliance with applicable codes, detects violations; coordinates efforts with the appropriate city department in the enforcement of the building, electrical, plumbing, fire and police codes, makes follow-up inspections to assure ordered corrections have been made; makes recommendations for order of vacation or condemnation of buildings remaining in violation; prepares condemnation reports, appears and testifies at condemnation hearings.

4. Prepares work schedules and assignments for office and field activities, investigations and special surveys relating to food, housing, urban renewal, industrial hygiene, air pollution, vector control, mosquito control and abatement, hazardous materials management and other environmental, ecological problems; observes routine office procedures and field activities for purposes of improving forms, techniques and overall performance; assists in the development and advancement of subordinates through training and effective use of employee development program,

5. Conducts spot inspections to determine efficiency of inspection work; confers with personnel on all problems concerning both office and field activities; advises on best procedures in order to insure maximum degree of compliance.

6. Consults with outside individuals and representatives of various concerns and establishments regarding compliance with regulatory requirements and orders issued, and to work out disputes or misinterpretations of existing provisions; confers with architects, contractors and attorneys on plans and specifications for new structures or rehabilitation of existing buildings; confers with members of other govern