ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Position: Environmental Health Specialist
Organization: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
Location: Guelph, Ontario / Hybrid

Joining our team means making an impact.

We are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of individuals and communities in Wellington County, Dufferin County and the City of Guelph. This means addressing the diverse health needs of our population through innovative programs and initiatives, upstream interventions and collaborative partnerships. From immunization campaigns to disease surveillance and community health promotion, our team of dedicated professionals works to ensure the well-being of everyone in our communities.

As a workplace, WDG Public Health offers a dynamic environment where passion for public health meets professional excellence. Employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health outcomes of our communities while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. With ongoing opportunities for professional development, a commitment to work-life balance, competitive compensation and benefits and a strong sense of community within our organization, WDG Public Health is not only a great place to work but also a rewarding place to grow and thrive in your career.

Read our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan for more about our vision, mission, values, goals and priorities. 

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to use your environmental knowledge and scientific skills to make a difference in the health of our communities, we invite you to apply.

We offer a competitive compensation package including:

• Employer paid benefit plan, including extended health and dental;
• Defined benefit OMERS Pension Plan with 100% employer matching;
• Paid sick time, Short-Term Disability Plan, and Long-Term Disability Plan;
• EFAP wellness program for individuals and family;
• Employer paid parking;
• 35-hour work week;
• Many opportunities for growth and development, including employer paid courses to obtain certifications.

WDG Public Health is a hybrid work environment. Certain employee groups may be permitted to work remotely based on the nature of the position and program. A minimum expectation of onsite presence is required, which will be dependent on operational needs.

The Environmental Health Specialist supports the Health Protection division specifically in the areas of climate change, water quality, air quality, contaminated sites, GIS mapping, emergency preparedness, and other environmental hazards that may impact the health of the community. They will assist the Operations Director to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Environments Standard and the Health Hazard Protocol. Under these guidelines which identify that the Board of Health shall reduce adverse health outcomes from exposure to chemical, radiological, biological and physical factors in the environment, provide timely and effective detection and identification of environmental risks/exposures, monitor trends in exposure and identify exposure sources and routes.

The incumbent will make recommendations on control/abatement measures to reduce exposure and monitor exposure through surveillance and epidemiology; review and maintain relevant data on health hazards in the environment within the health unit including available reports of adverse test results provided by federal, provincial, local governments or other agencies; stay informed of available resources and expertise for investigating health hazards in the environment including resources to support investigations where health hazards in the environment are linked to land use planning and development proposal.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Research issues of environmental concern;
• Monitor response on issues by third parties;
• Monitor internal response and currency of WDG Public Health's relevant website and policy;
• Entering and updating GIS maps to the system;
• Monitor events in other jurisdictions that affect WDG Public Health;
• Review reports from various levels of government;
• Develop criteria such as decision trees or matrixes and methods for program logic models to guide the Health Protection division's response to environmental health hazards and assess potential impact and capacity to respond;
• Manage key projects under the Health Hazards and Healthy Environments Protocol;
• Collaborate with the internal Health Analytics, Health Promotion, and Communications teams to ensure that the foundational standard of the Ontario Public Health Standards including population health assessment, surveillance, research and knowledge exchange, program evaluation are consistent with WDG Public Health's format and policy.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Position Effective: June 10, 2024

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in environmental science, engineering, toxicology or similar;
• 4 year undergraduate science degree in environmental science, environmental engineering or similar;
• 1 to 3 years related practical work experience preferred;
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills including report writing risk communication;
• Conducting research, research methods, evaluation and knowledge exchange/transfer skills including public speaking;
• Project management and risk management skills;
• Surveillance and epidemiological skills;
• Ability to work independently and in a group;
• Competency in using statistical and mapping (GIS) software, artificial intelligence and digital workspaces is an asset.

To apply, please submit your application (including cover letter and resume) to the relevant posting on our careers webpage: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/careers

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 31, 2024.

Pay range: $43.32 - $50.95 / hour

We thank all applicants, however, only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

WDG Public Health is committed to providing accommodation during the recruitment process for people in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation(s), please advise Human Resources in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. The organization will maintain the confidentiality of information related to an accommodation request and will only disclose this information with the consent of the employee or applicant.

WDG Public Health is an equal opportunity Agency. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used to determine eligibility.

If successful in the hiring process, it is important to understand that you would be an employee of a health care organization that strongly believes in the importance of immunizations as a necessary public health measure to control the spread of infectious diseases. Subject to any duty to accommodate under the Human Rights Code of Ontario, successful applicants will be required to comply with the Agency’s Immunization Policy. This policy is available upon request. Applicants who are unable to be immunized due to a valid medical contraindication must have a Statement of Medical Exemption Form completed by their primary care provider.