Manager, Health Protection and Healthy Environments

The Role

Manages assigned programs within the Division, ensuring the implementation and evaluation of promotion, prevention, and protection strategies and activities per Provincial Public Health Standards, applicable legislation, and prescribed regulations and standards. 
Program assignments include: 

• Food Safety, Rabies, Enforcement 
• Communicable Disease Control, Infection Control, Personal Service Settings
• Health Hazards, Safe Water, Emergency Management, Vector Borne Diseases
   

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises Certified and Uncertified Public Health Inspectors and students. 
• Forms policies, strategies, and procedures to meet program goals.
• Manages enforcement actions for assigned program per legislation, Ministry requirements, and Provincial Public Health Standards. Authorizes letter/orders issued by Public Health Inspectors per legislation. Authorizes and monitors enforcement of orders under Provincial Offences Act and legislation. Attends Court as required. 
• Ensures health care providers and veterinarians are advised on response procedures for reported cases. 
• Develops and implements operational plans for assigned program based on current scientific literature and evidence-based information, epidemiological principles, legislation, and community need. Reviews and evaluates program operations to ensure activities are effective and meet program goals. Implements changes to maintain/improve the level and quality of service delivery, and ensures staff adoption of same. 
• Participates as a member of the divisional management team. Collaborates to establish divisional priorities and operational plans. Participates in the development and review of divisional policies, protocols and procedures. Implements corporate and Provincial policies and procedures. Informs the Director of significant/sensitive situations and issues.
• Identifies opportunities for collaboration/alignment with other divisional/departmental programming. 
• Advises the Director, community partners, and other internal/external stakeholders of significant trends and strategies related to health protection. Monitors internal and Provincial information systems for disseminating information and program planning. 
• Works with Information & Planning Manager to submit reporting requirements to Ministries, and ensure program data is captured and organized to support same. 
• Reviews and approves materials for publication, including media releases and as part of education campaigns. Responds to media requests for information.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Initiates and participates in program and departmental applied research activities, including project coordination, collection, analysis, and evaluation of research data. Manages the preparation of applied research reports and speaks to same. 
• Represents the Division on advisory committees, local/Provincial government committees, and community and professional organizations, with authority to make decisions, consult, advise, and exchange information. Acts as a senior consultant to same and advises on health protection matters. Participates in corporate initiatives as required.
• Coordinates responses to emergencies in environmental health, including food and water safety, infection control, hazardous materials, and natural disasters. Mobilizes staff in emergency situations, per prescribed role in the departmental Emergency Response Plan, ensuring actions are taken to minimize health consequences for citizens. Advises on the development of Regional and municipal emergency response plans for areas with a public health impact. 
• Manages program budgets. Controls and authorizes expenditures and operating costs. Authorizes cheque and purchase requisitions and has a purchasing card. Manages the use, custody, and maintenance of program equipment and supplies. 
• Contacts the Information & Privacy Analyst regarding information requests, and Legal Services for consultation, advice, and direction on legal aspects of health protection programs and enforcement. Liaises with Transportation & Environmental Services regarding the quality, quantity, and monitoring of the water supply. Consults with inter-disciplinary staff in other Divisions.
• Contacts staff from relevant Ministries/Agencies, provincial/national public health agencies; Canadian Food Inspection Agency; provincial liquor control board; provincial health laboratories; physicians and hospital emergency departments; veterinarians and animal control; school boards; universities/colleges; environmental organizations; area municipal planning and engineering departments; engineering consultants; private planning firms; architects; and the local conservation authority for consultation, information exchange, policy development review, joint investigations, program planning, and implementation.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from the public, business owners, and community groups.
• Backs up the Director or other Division managers as needed.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of public health management theories and principles, including health protection and promotion, marketing strategies, epidemiology, toxicology, risk assessment/management/ communications, public health inspection, public health planning, program evaluation and research methodology, policy and program development, and budget preparation, normally acquired through a Master's Degree in a related field (e.g., Public Administration, Environmental Health, Environmental Studies, Toxicology) (or equivalent combination of education and experience) plus progressively responsible related public health experience. 
• Must be a Certified Public Health Inspector (Canada). 
• Knowledge of public health engineering, environmental health, public safety, food science, infectious disease, infection prevention, control and outbreak measures, public health and environmental law, emergency management, and community/resources.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and relevant legislation (e.g., public health inspection, health protection and promotion, health and safety). 
• Analytical, problem solving, continuous improvement, and organizational skills to plan and develop objectives and determine program goals; classify and organize work; make decisions on complex and politically sensitive issues; respond to emergency situations; and meet deadlines for program requirements, committee reports, and budgets. 
• Leadership, communication, facilitation, negotiation and public relations skills, and political acuity to manage, train, develop, motivate, and support staff; present proposals and reports to departmental and Regional staff, Community Services Committee, Council, and community groups; deliver educational presentations to professionals, community groups, school boards, and organizations; represent the Division/Department on committees; participate in news conferences; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to conduct literature reviews, monitor legislation, news media, research papers, journals, and newsletters. Ability to write and edit reports of a technical/administrative nature, letters, and instructions regarding environmental health issues, policy/procedure, training manuals, media releases, surveys, and questionnaires. Ability to keep knowledge current.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and inspection management software. 
• Ability to participate in an official standby/on-call rotation to respond to legislated or time sensitive demands beyond regularly scheduled work hours.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.