John McKean says one of the biggest challenges posed by his new job is being a one-man show. He was recently hired as the director of environmental health at the Ironton Health Department.

“I’m the only one,” he said. “I did the same thing at my last job I do here, but we had four people in my department at my last job.”

Nevertheless, McKean plans on doing his job and doing it well. The Gallipolis resident and native is a state-registered sanitarian who worked from 2004 to October 2013 for the Jackson County Health Department.

“It was a tough decision to leave,” he said. “We all have to open new chapters in our lives and I am glad I did. I have been welcomed warmly here and I have a good feeling about this job.”

A bulk of McKean’s job lies in food service inspection.

“I am looking forward to getting to know people in the community, especially the ones I will deal with often,” he said. “Keeping those I will be inspecting supplied with educational materials is something I feel is very important. There’s constant changes in rules and guidelines and I want to make sure everyone is kept updated.”

Along with food inspection, other duties that pertain to his position are inspecting private water and sewage systems, public swimming pools, animal bites, mobile home parks, illegal dumping and vegetation and litter control.

“It’s definitely a balancing act to ensure all programs receive the attention they deserve, but some just naturally require more than others,” he said. “The food service inspection is by far the service that demands the most attention.”

When not on the job, McKean helps his father on his 400-acre farm in Gallia County and spends time with his 13-year-old daughter, Abigail. He was a full-time farmer until becoming a registered sanitarian in 2004.

“I still help my dad on the farm,” he said. “We raise cattle and grow tobacco and hay, just do general farming.”

To contact McKean, call the Ironton Health Department at 740-532-2172, email john.mckean@odh.ohio.gov or visit the health department at 2120 S. Eighth St. in Ironton.