Food Health Inspector Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $48,828.00 - $61,036.00 Annually
Location : HAMILTON COUNTY HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES, Chattanooga, TN
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number: 08/10/2026 - 1653
Division: HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Department: Environmental Inspectors
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
The Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division has a responsibility to respond quickly and efficiently when public health emergencies occur. All Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division employees are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and they are accessible should a public health emergency arise. The Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division maintains a call down system to store contact information and mobilize staff in the event of an emergency. During a public health emergency, all staff are required to respond should a call to mobilize be made. During a public health emergency, work hours for any and all Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division employees are subject to modification to meet the needs of the community.
Under general supervision, conducts routine permitting, inspections, instructions, education, and investigations to ensure compliance with environmental health and safety regulations regarding sanitation, food service establishments, hotel, camp, bed and breakfast, and special public events in order to protect the public health from food, water and air borne contaminates. Program areas range from food service establishments to rabies control.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)
Tasks
Inspects restaurants, hotels, swimming pools, child care facilities, day and overnight camps, bed and breakfasts, school cafeterias, before and after school programs for sanitation levels and structural criteria; protects public health by reducing food borne illnesses and other health violations; improves public safety by ensuring safe operation, handling, preparing and disposal of foods, chemicals, and waste.
Reviews architectural plans for remodeled or newly constructed food facilities, hotels, and public pools for compliance with structural/construction standards. Reviews and investigates reports of food-borne disease outbreaks. Provide food safety classes to ensure proper food handling/preparation, and proper disposal of food, chemicals, and waste. For special events, conducts onsite inspections to ensure safe food handling and sanitation practices. Responds to Environmental Health emergencies during or after regular work hours.
Enforces the laws, rules, codes, and regulations related to general nuisance complaints; investigates general nuisance complaints in conjunction with the Hamilton County Health & Safety Board, works with property owners to address validated complaints; coordinates rodent and vector control; issues warnings and/or citations; assists county, and city public works with legal actions in Environmental Court; provides consultation and training to community groups, schools, daycares, etc. on environmental issues.
Coordinates the local rabies control program by working with local animal shelters and the veterinarian association. Works to respond to animal exposures in the community and assess risk of Rabies.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of federal, state and county laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances related to environmental health and safety.
Knowledge of inspection and investigation of health and safety issues.
Knowledge of universal health and safety precautions rules and regulations.
Knowledge of facility and site inspection.
Knowledge of customer service/public relations methods and practices.
Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and peripherals.
Knowledge of record keeping and documentation.
Skill investigating and enforcing environmental health laws, codes, and ordinances.
Skill reviewing and inspecting facilities, plat, subdivision, construction sites and blueprints for permits.
Skill utilizing customer service / public relations techniques when responding to inquiries and complaints.
Skill negotiating, mediating, and reaching consensus on issues.
Skill inspecting new, existing, or remodeled facilities for compliance with health and safety regulations.
Skill testing water and food samples for possible contamination.
Skill utilizing verbal and written communication skills in developing reports and documenting investigations.
Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry General Science, or a closely related. Must possess a valid driver's license.
OR
An Associate's Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry General Science, or a closely related field and two (2) years of direct work experience in Environmental Health, Biology, General Science, or a closely related field. Must possess a valid driver's license.
OR
The equivalent of a high school diploma and four (4) years of direct work experience in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry General Science, or a closely related field. Must possess a valid driver's license.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.
Must successfully complete FDA standardization training within eighteen (18) months of date of hire.
Rotating on call responsibilities is required to address emergencies 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bilingual candidates preferred for this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work requires climbing, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying testing equipment and nuisance waste weighing up to 25 pounds during the performance of inspection and/or investigation of construction sites, special events, and facilities, with the potential for exposure to air, water and food borne pathogens.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.
All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.
All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.
https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Department_EqualEmploymentOpportunityOffice.aspx
Hamilton County Government
Meeting the needs of the people where they live, work, and play!
Hamilton County, Tennessee offers a lower cost of living, ease of getting around, a lively arts tradition, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Working for Hamilton County Government provides many great benefits - take a look at a few of those highlighted below...
On-Site Employee Health Clinic

• No copay to utilize clinic services.
• Clinic services include routine office visits, sick visits, labs, flu shots, and more
• TextCare - Access to care 24/7 via TextCare, which is direct, unlimited access to medical care 24/7 through text message.

(Employee access to the clinic is available from day one. A covered spouse or dependent has access as soon as their health plan coverage is effective. Children age 3 and up who are covered by the County's insurance are eligible to be seen.)

• Telehealth - Two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and a practitioner through telecommunications, which may include audiovisual options.
• One to One Provider Network - Availability to utilize a network of providers that provide a high level of care at a lower copay/cost.
• Health Management Programs - Offered to help employees and their family members in managing the following health conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), and Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• Nutritional guidance - Nutritional education provided to assist in making the appropriate food /health choices.

On-Site Employee Pharmacy

• Low-cost prescriptions available to those covered under the County health plan.
• Over the counter items offered at cost.
• RxLocal App - Mobile app provides a convenient way to stay connected and manage your health. Through the app you can request refills and ask questions.
• On-site Pharmacist available to answer questions and provide information.

Hamilton County Government offers competitive insurance coverage to fulltime employees.
Medical coverage is offered through Cigna to fulltime employees. The County pays a generous portion of the medical premium. Two options are available to choose from: LCP (Local Cost Plus) and OAP (Open Access Plus).

• The LCP has a smaller network that includes most providers and hospitals, with the exception of Parkridge facilities/providers.
• The OAP is a national network of facilities/providers that includes most providers/hospitals, including Parkridge.

Dental coverage is a voluntary benefit available to fulltime employees. Three coverage options are offered: Cigna High Plan, Cigna Low Plan, and Sun Life DHMO.

• The Cigna High Dental Plan covers orthodontia for children up to age 18. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Cigna Low Dental Plan does not cover orthodontia. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Sun Life DHMO plan is a prepaid dental plan that offers benefits through a network of plan dentists. A dental provider must be selected when enrolling and services must be provided by that provider for benefits to apply.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment is provided through Symetra. The County provides $30,000 of Basic Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage at no cost to fulltime employees.
Additional voluntary benefits fulltime employees have access to enroll in are as follows:
-Individual Short-Term Disability (STD) -Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD)
-Flexible Spending Account-Health Care -Flexible Spending Account-Dept. Care
-Flexible Spending Account-Transportation -Accident Insurance
-Critical Illness Insurance -Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hamilton County Government Retirement for Fulltime Employees:
Pension - Legacy Plan (hired prior to 10/1/2015), in which the employer contributes 14.70%.
Pension - Hybrid Plan (hired on or after 10/1/2015), in which the employee contributes 5% and the employer contributes 4%.
401K - Employer contributes 5% and the employee can contribute the amount of their choice.
457b - Employees have the option to contribute to this plan if they choose.
Pre-Retirement Seminar:
Hamilton County Human Resources provides a pre-retirement seminar to those considering retirement, two times per year (1st and 3rd quarter of each year). Seminar topics covered may include:

• Health insurance assistance, Medicare info and counseling.
• Internal steps to take when an employee is ready to retire.
• Estate Planning
• Personal Financial Planning
• TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Revenue Service) - Ham. County Pension
• Deferred Compensation/457 Plan - Nationwide
• Social Security Benefits

Parental Leave:
Hamilton County provides eight (8) weeks of paid maternity leave and two (2) weeks of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child or placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption (age 13 or younger) or foster care.
Paid Time Off:
Hamilton County Government provides generous paid time off (PTO) to fulltime employees from the start of employment.

• Years 1 - 5: an employee will accrue 5.85 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 5 - 10: an employee will accrue 6.77 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 11-15: an employee will accrue 8.31hours of leave, per pay period.
• Year 15 and each year thereafter, an employee will accrue 8.93 hours of leave, per pay period.

At each anniversary, an employee can roll over up to 80 hours of unused PTO into their leave bank. (Up to 800 hours for employees hired on