Consultant, Public Health Emergency Preparedness (Program Admin Officer 4)

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 are committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, 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

As the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Consultant, you will be instrumental in informing and providing strategic direction for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness program for Nova Scotia. You will use current evidence and best practices to aid in program development, the development of policies, standards, guidelines and plans and the monitoring thereof for quality and consistency

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, you play a key role in the assessment of risk to emerging/re-emerging public health threats and in leading the development of coordinated plans and responses to those risks. In addition, you provide consultation and subject matter expertise to a variety of public health professionals, internal and external stakeholders and organizations on issues pertaining to pandemic planning, public health action on hazards affecting human health and other health protection issues.

You will represent the Public Health Branch and the Department of Health and Wellness in a leadership and subject matter expert capacity on provincial and national committees pertaining to public health emergency preparedness and management. You will work closely with the Health Protection, Health Promotion, and Surveillance Public Health programs to ensure your work aligns with the overall strategic direction of the Public Health Branch.

Qualifications and Experience

You possess a bachelor's degree in a related health, social science or emergency management field plus six (6) years related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Possession of a master's degree in a related field will be considered an asset.

To be successful in this position you have a minimum of five years experience creating strong and strategic intergovernmental and/or health system partnerships and demonstrated success in building collaborative working relationships. You have strong communication and risk communication skills (both written and verbal) as well as a high degree of organizational, analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities. You possess a minimum of three years of experience in leading emergency preparedness activities such as the development of plans, procedures, protocols, and exercises.

An asset to be successful in this position is your knowledge, skills and experience in public health sciences specifically related to areas of health protection such as pandemic planning. You also have a strong working knowledge of the Health Protection Act. Your understanding of the social determinants of health and the need to address conditions that may prevent potential and/or ongoing risk of exposure to public health threats will be critical to this role.

Experience working within public health is an asset.

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. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

· A related master's degree and four (4) years of related experience

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 a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion

Most of your work is in a comfortable office environment. There is a need for you to balance competing priorities, attend multiple meetings, and meet strict deadlines. Provincial travel may be required.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, permanent position.

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