Public Health Inspector (PHO 1-2(A)-(B)) - Hiring Pool

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture supports a sustainable, safe, and competitive agri-food sector. Working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Wellness and other partners, the department delivers regulatory inspection, compliance, and enforcement programs that protect Nova Scotians and maintain confidence in the province’s agri-food and public health system.

About Our Opportunity

The Agri-Food Inspection Services division is responsible for most of the field operations relating to food 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 an education, regulatory, enforcement and compliance agency, our Public Health Inspector 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 food safety hazards. As a problem solver, public health inspectors use their analytical skills to find solutions to daily challenges.

Reporting to the Food Safety Manager, the Public Health Inspector (PHI) is responsible for administering for the food inspection program.

Primary Accountabilities

The Public Health Inspector 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.
• May be issuing Summary Offence Tickets, Long Form Prosecutions, and other enforcement.
• 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 Bachelor’s 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.

 Asset

• Experience in food safety, public health, or similar regulatory programs.
• Certification-in-good standing with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

 As the successful candidate you will also:

• Be proficient in computer applications and report writing.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills.
• 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 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

• Combination of office and field work.
• Regular travel throughout the province; valid driver’s licence required.
• Work may occur in regulated facilities, outdoor environments, or public events.
• Potential exposure to confrontational situations.
• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day, Occasional irregular or extended work hours.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion. 
• Opportunity for an earned day off every third week under the flexible work plan.

Additional Information

Please note this is a Hiring Pool, therefore successful applicants will be offered position as vacancies arise, for the duration of the Hiring Pool. Additional vacancies within the Hiring Pool duration will be filled from the candidate pool and will not be posted separately. Thie pool will be used to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary or Casual opportunities over the next several months. Opportunities could arise in any of the following office locations: Bedford, Truro, Sydney, Antigonish, Pictou, Kentville, Bridgewater, or Yarmouth.  

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
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.