Eastern Massachusetts Public Health (EMPH) Training Hub is one of nine training hubs throughout the state. We cover 9 Shared Services Arrangements, with 35 municipalities.
The Training Hub program is part of the cornerstone of the Workforce Development initiatives to strengthen the competencies and capacity of the local public health workforce to not only meet the current Workforce Standards, aligned in the Blueprint for Public Health, but to develop leaders in transforming the local public health system. The Training Hub program is part of a 3-tiered model that includes basic self-paced on-line training modules, in-depth knowledge-based competency development in the classroom, and hands on, competency and skills development in applied practice.
These different levels of training act as learning building blocks and help create a comprehensive training infrastructure with the goal of increasing the pool of trained local public health professionals, increasing the capacity for local and regional public health (LPH) meeting the standards.
Staff:
Elsa Zhao, Lead Public Health Trainer, [email protected]
Felix Garcia, Regional Public Health Trainer, [email protected]
Raina Levin, Regional Public Health Training Specialist, [email protected]
For general questions, please email: [email protected]
Map Description: A gray map with the different Eastern Massachusetts Public Health Training Hubs defined by different colors. The following is a link to a detailed description of the content on the map: https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Eastern-Massachusetts-Public-Health-Training-Hub-Map-Detail-Description.pdf
Local Public Health Training Program Tiers
This multi-tiered approach underpins our commitment to delivering comprehensive training, expanding the cadre of proficient public health professionals, and strengthening local and regional public health capabilities.
Hub Trainers are currently being trained by DPH Central Trainers in a standard curriculum to prepare them to facilitate Tier 3 to ensure local public health professionals have the competencies for housing, food safety and other environmental health topics. Once this is finalized, local public health inspectors can receive training from Eastern MA Training Hub. We are working closely with Central Trainers and OLRH staff, please be patient as we continue to improve this program.
Tier 1:
Essential Knowledge
- Composed of asynchronous eLearning modules with curriculum relevant to different LPH topics.
- Facilitated through online learning platforms, such as TRAIN MA, ORA LearnED (FDA), and FEMA Emergency Management Institute. Other platforms may be utilized as the program grows.
- Provides LPH professionals the opportunity to develop baseline knowledge on LPH topics on their own time and free of charge.
Tier 2:
Instructor Guided Learning
- Instructor-led component. Experienced instructors lead virtual and in-person classroom trainings about relevant LPH topics.
- Building upon the knowledge gained in Tier 1, Tier 2 gives LPH professionals the opportunity to learn about different public health topics. The knowledge gained in this tier will be applied to real public health scenarios in Tier 3.
- Example of courses: LPHIT Food and Housing, Certified Pool Operator, Soil Evaluator, and System Inspector.
Tier 3:
Applied Practice
- Provides LPH Professionals with hands on learning opportunities using real public health scenarios.
- Facilitated by Local Public Health Training Hubs where trainers will guide learners through applied practice of LPH topics through joint inspections.
Upcoming Trainings
Local Public Health Training Program
If you have completed Tier 2 – Food, please reach out to the training hub ([email protected]) and we’ll start scheduling you for Tier 3. If you have completed Tier 2 – Housing, we will follow up with you by email about Tier 3.
You can use this Prerequisites Tracker to track your progress through the training program.
Upcoming Tier 2 Trainings:
Food
June 2, 3, and 4, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (virtual)
June 9 and 10, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (in-person: Marlborough, MA)
Housing
May 6, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (in-person: Marlborough, MA)
May 19, 20, and 21, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (virtual)
To qualify for Tier 2, you must be registered for Tier 1 on TRAIN and have completed all Tier 1 coursework by January 31, 2026 (check your status for Food here and Housing here). All qualified participants were contacted by email in February. If there were more qualified participants than seats available, a lottery system was used. Tier 2 trainings will be offered again in the fall.
Other Trainings:
Wastewater Laboratory Demo Day (NEIWPCC) ($$$)
July 8, 8:30am-3:30pm (In person; Chelmsford)
This 4 TCH regional event features a full-day of in-person training and exhibition using lab equipment that utility operators will encounter at a water or wastewater treatment plant. This Demonstration Day is a space for face-to-face networking for professionals from across the industry.
Staff Management: Best Practices for Effective Leadership
July 9, 1-2 pm (Virtual)
Join a workforce development webinar focused on practical strategies for navigating difficult workplace conversations, employee performance management, and effective feedback and reviews. Participants will also learn tools for improving communication and constructively addressing conflict between employees. Free for MHOA members, $25 for non-members.
It’s the Heat that Will Get You: Communicating and Planning for Heat Risks
July 10, 1-2pm (Virtual)
This webinar will discuss the rising threat of extreme heat, highlighting intensifying heatwaves, elevated nighttime temperatures, and risks such as social isolation, higher mortality rates, and strain on healthcare systems. The session will emphasize tailored communication strategies, recognizing biases, and providing actionable steps for individuals and households to mitigate heat risks, as well as additional planning resources.
Title 5 System Inspector (SI) Certification Class ($$$)
July 10 and 13, 9am-12pm (Virtual); Exam July 23
Title 5 System Inspectors ensure your septic system is running efficiently and verify your system has been properly maintained. Title 5 inspections are required each time ownership is transferred. To receive notifications about upcoming classes, please email [email protected].
FDA Training FD215: Managing Retail Food Safety
This course explores how risk-based inspections can be applied in retail and food service establishments. Topics include the “process approach” to HACCP, applications of HACCP principles in routine inspection work, and assessing active managerial control of risk factors by operators through a HACCP system or other established food safety systems. While the process approach is new to many regulators, it is better designed for use in retail and food service settings than traditional HACCP approaches because it eliminates lengthy flow charting and hazard analysis for every type of food product.
Mosquito and Tick Informational
July 14, 10-11am (Virtual)
Join the Bay State Public Health Training Hub for a presentation by Priscilla Matton, the Superintendent of the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project. She will provide information on the mosquito life cycle and habitat, West Nile Virus, EEE, and control measures.
Climate Adaptation for Environmental Public Health Professionals: CDC's BRACE Framework
July 21, 1-2pm (Virtual)
Join NEHA for a one-hour webinar exploring CDC’s Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework, a key tool that environmental public health professionals can use to address the public health impacts of climate change. Participants will learn about the purpose and elements of the BRACE framework and will hear examples of how this resource can be applied in partnership with communities to assess and prepare for climate-related health impacts.
Public Health Program Management: From Theory to Practice
July 29, 1-2pm (Virtual)
Registration and more info coming soon.
Nuisance Complaints and Animal Welfare
August 5, 2-3 pm (Virtual)
Hear from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Division of Animal Health on how to respond to nuisance complaints that involve animals, farming, and livestock. What is considered exempt from the nuisance law and who is responsible for enforcement of certain conditions, including animal welfare and cruelty?
Tips and Tricks for Budgeting in Your Local Health Department
August 13, 1-2pm (Virtual)
Registration and more info coming soon.
Self-paced (Virtual)
In this one hour training from the NEPHTC, learn about the role of grants in supporting public health programs and initiatives, how to identify appropriate grant funding sources for public health projects, how to prepare for writing a grant by creating a logic model, and more.
Lead Determination Training
Date TBD
Sign up for the waitlist here. Date is TBD, and filling out the form will not guarantee a spot in the course.
Save the Date:
MHOA September Quarterly Meeting ($$$)
September 17, 10am-12pm (Location TBD)
Yankee Conference on Environmental Health ($$$)
September 23-25, In person (Mystic, CT)
MHOA 2026 Annual Conference ($$$)
October 28-30 (Springfield, MA)
Resources
Overview:
- Blueprint for Excellence
- Office of Local and Regional Health
- DPH Food Protection Program
- DPH Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health
- Department of Environmental Protection
- TRAIN MA
- FoodShield
Organizations:
- Massachusetts Environmental Health Association
- Massachusetts Health Officers Association
- National Environmental Health Association
- NEIWPCC (Wastewater Training)
Resource Hub Library
Access to various template documents and other resources for Food, Housing, Wastewater, and more!
This dashboard shows all the items currently available in our lending library. Please reach out to us if you’d like to borrow anything, or if you’d like us to purchase any additional items.
Requirements and Recommendations
| POSITION | REQUIRED AT HIRE | REQUIRED AFTER HIRE | RECOMMENDED |
| MANAGEMENT – e.g., Director, Assistant Director, Deputy Director
Management position does not do inspections but supervises those who do. |
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| INSPECTOR/SANITARIAN |
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| PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE |
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| CLERICAL STAFF |
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| BOH MEMBER
(NOTE: IF DOING INSPECTIONS MUST MEET REQUIREMENTS ABOVE) |
| INSPECTION TYPE | REQUIRED | RECOMMENDED |
| FOOD PROTECTION |
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| HOUSING |
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| TITLE 5 |
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| POOLS |
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| RECREATIONAL CAMPS |
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| TANNING/BODY ART |
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| NUISANCES |
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| INSPECTION TYPE | REQUIRED | RECOMMENDED |
| FOOD PROTECTION
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| HOUSING
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| TITLE 5
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| POOLS
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| RECREATIONAL CAMPS
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| TANNING/BODY ART
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| NUISANCES
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- All personnel should have at least ICS 100/NIMS 700 within one year of hire. Those who might have a leadership role should have ICS 200 and above.
- Boards of health may have stricter requirements, but must meet these requirements.
- Boards of health with current staff who have worked for local or state public health for at least 7 years, but who do not meet these requirements, may request a waiver except for inspectional trainings.
- Membership in professional organizations is deemed as critical for professional growth and development, for leadership and mentoring opportunities, and for opportunities for sharing best practices. This is recommended, but not required.
*Management positions should meet the requirements as set forth in this document for the position. However, a request may be submitted by the board of health to waive the Registered Sanitarian (RS) requirement if:
1) The health department has a management position and a separate fulltime environmental health director and
2) the environmental health director has an RS, oversees the inspectors, and reports directly to the management position.
Workforce Development Standards Waiver Request Form