Kim Carlton

Kim Carlton has extensive experience in the field of environmental health and food safety. Kim began their career as an Environmental Health Technician at Brown-Nicollet Environmental Health, where they assisted with the development of a statewide Water Quality Database and conducted field sampling and lab analysis of water. Kim then worked as a Student Worker Paraprofessional at the Minnesota Department of Health, where they conducted surveillance interviews and assisted with case-control studies of food and waterborne pathogens.

Kim later joined the City of Minneapolis as a Code Compliance Officer, conducting inspections of food establishments, designing and implementing food safety training, and organizing community outreach activities. Kim then transitioned to the City of Saint Paul as an Environmental Health Specialist, where they managed compliance and enforcement of the Minnesota Food Code, collaborated with stakeholders during foodservice establishment construction, and played a role in ensuring food safety during the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Kim's career progressed at the Minnesota Department of Health, where they served as a Planner Principal, conducting program evaluations of local agencies and promoting statewide consistency in food inspection standards. Kim also developed educational tools and training sessions for environmental health specialists. Kim then became an Environmental Health Supervisor, leading a team and carrying out administrative functions, including establishing priorities and operational plans.

Currently, Kim works at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as the Retail Food Program Manager, overseeing food safety regulations in retail establishments.

Throughout their career, Kim has demonstrated a strong commitment to public health and food safety, with a focus on ensuring compliance with regulations, conducting inspections, and providing education and training to professionals in the field.

Kim Carlton has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Environmental Studies and Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College. Kim also has a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota. Additionally, they are a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health in 2002 and the National Environmental Health Association in August 2012.