Job Description

Competition # : 36751

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 9/30/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we're committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Public Health Surveillance, as the Senior Epidemiologist you will be responsible for leading the development and maintenance of high quality public health surveillance systems for Nova Scotia. Public health surveillance refers to systems for the assessment of health at provincial, regional, and local levels, along with the monitoring of non-communicable and communicable diseases. The Senior Epidemiologist leads the planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of these systems.

Primary Accountabilities

As an expert in surveillance methodology, you will lead and conduct epidemiologic projects related to non-communicable disease and communicable disease and use this analysis to provide insight into issues and trends for senior leaders within the Department and key system stakeholders.

You will provide support and advice to senior leaders regarding population health assessments to inform health policies, programs, and practice, through the translation of data into meaningful knowledge. Based on surveillance findings, you will recommend priority areas of focus to assist in policy development, reassess priorities, and create new hypotheses and approaches for further study. This position also uses a population health approach to bring vision to this role and to lead multi-disciplinary teams in fulfilling that vision.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you have a bachelor's degree in a health profession/science/social science and 7 years of related experience; or Master's Degree in Epidemiology and 5 years of related experience.

You have content expertise in public health surveillance as well as excellent skills in carrying out all facets of the surveillance cycle from data acquisition to dissemination and communication. Demonstrated expertise is required in areas related to surveillance methodologies, advanced analytical techniques, and dissemination of information.

A high degree of leadership and innovation is required, along with excellence in communication, strong partnership and collaboration skills and the ability to lead and work in teams.

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

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. 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 offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Regular office work conditions with regular collaboration with colleagues in the Public Health branch at DHW, across the department, at the NSH and in departments and agencies.

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 20

Salary Range: $3,387.99 - $3,989.08 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.