Job Description

Competition # : 39636

Department: Environment and Climate Change

Location: Multiple locations across the Province

Type of Employment: Permanent and Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 7/18/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change vision is to be a leader in regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership and promotion. We protect the environment, human health, and the welfare of animals. Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations under the mandate of the Department. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Aboriginal People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify, on your application form, cover letter, or on your resume.

About Our Opportunity

The Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement division is responsible for most of the field operations relating to environmental protection. We are looking for well rounded individuals with technical and scientific skills, who enjoy working with the public and who have an interest in protecting the public and environmental health of Nova Scotians. This exciting employment opportunity offers challenging field and investigative work in a diverse work environment. As a regulatory, enforcement and compliance agency, our Public Health Officers must be able to deal with the public and provide superior client service, even in difficult or confrontational situations. Successful candidates must be able to work independently and think on their feet, demonstrate strong investigative skills and may be required to confidently respond to complaints regarding health hazards. As a problem solver, public health officers use their analytical skills to find solutions to daily challenges.

Reporting to the District Manager and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the Public Health Officer (PHO) is responsible for administering an integrated program in multiple settings focused on public health protection and promotion, and food safety.

Primary Accountabilities

The Public Health Officer works with individuals and communities to coordinate and manage activities to understand, characterize, reduce and eliminate physical, chemical and biological hazards that influence the health of the population. The incumbent is responsible for:

• Developing and implementing strategies to prevent, reduce or eliminate risks to health in communities.
• Conducting inspections and audits of facilities to enforce regulations and compliance with permits;
• Responding to complaints, conducting investigations and gathering detailed information for reports;
• Issuing Summary Offence Tickets, Long Form Prosecutions and other enforcement;
• Testifying and gathering evidence for court appearances;
• Writing correspondence including letters, reports and preparing ministerial briefings;
• Utilizing a computer notification and approval processing system;
• Explaining technical concepts to a wide variety of audiences;
• Reviewing and processing applications for permits;
• Anticipating, assessing and identifying health hazards in multiple settings;
• Coordinating public health protection activities with other public health professionals at the district, municipal, provincial, and federal levels; and
• Completing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you will have a bachelors degree in Environmental Public Health or equivalent and must be eligible and obtain certification by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors as a Public Health Inspector (CPHI)

You will be flexible to conduct routine Inspections and audits for facilities that operate outside of regular business hours (including weekends), as well as in response to outbreaks of communicable disease or emergencies which happen outside of regular business hours. The position will have after-hours on-call demands.

Previous experience in a Public Health Officer or related role is considered an asset.

As the successful candidate you will also:

• Be proficient in computer applications and report writing;
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills;
• Have the ability to plan and demonstrate strong organizational skills;
• Be able to interpret and explain legislation and technical matters;
• Demonstrate the ability to solve complex issues and make decisions;
• Be self-motivated and versatile in the work environment;
• Work well independently as well as in a team environment; and,
• Manage difficult or confrontational situations in a calm and efficient manner.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Must be eligible for Special Constable Status, which requires a criminal record check.
• Must have a valid drivers license and access to a reliable motor vehicle.

Additional Information

This competition will be used to fill at least two vacancies in the Bedford office. Both will be term employment opportunities with anticipated end dates of July 14, 2024 and March 31, 2024. The status at hire (term, temporary, casual) will depend on the star date of the successful candidates. The Permanent vacancy is in the Antigonish office.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 08 - PR 14

Salary Range: $2,074.62 - $3,215.50 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia