Province of Nova Scotia Hiring For Public Health Officer Practicum Students (Multiple Locations) at Cape Breton, NS Full Time

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment’s role is to protect the environment, human health and animal health through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership and promotion. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, process notifications, applications, and approvals for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise.

Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations. We also proactively respond to environmental, conservation, animal, and human health risks and work to develop programs and deliver services to enhance protection in these areas.

To know more, visit our website Nova Scotia Environment – Department.

About Our Opportunity

Working to protect the public from hazards posed by natural or manmade environmental conditions our Public Health Officers In-Training have the opportunity to gain relevant experience in various public health areas as they work along side mentors in the field.

Primary Accountabilities

During this practicum, your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting Public Health Officers with organizing and conducting compliance inspections/audits, consultations and educational functions in a variety of food service establishments including daycares, long term care and summer camp facilities.
• Assisting with the development and maintenance of proper food handling practices and sanitary conditions within facilities
• Assisting Environmental Inspector Specialists in conducting compliance inspections and audits of regulated activities such as public drinking water supplies, wastewater and solid waste disposal
• Assisting Inspectors with outreach and educational functions
• Assisting in reporting and making recommendations to ensure protection of the public through investigation, approval and certificate applications

You will be provided with the opportunity to collaborate with multiple public health disciplines working in Nova Scotia’s public health system to gain experience in public health areas such as communicable disease case follow-up, communicable disease prevention and control, infection control practices and basic principles of communicable disease outbreak investigation, management and control.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you must be enrolled in a full time Public Health program accredited by the Board of Certification of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. Preference will be given to Public Health students who are currently completing their 4th year (last year) of study. It will be considered an asset if graduating in 2022 and pursuing a certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada). Applicants in their 3rd year of a 4-year program or 1st year of a 2-year program may also be considered. Please clearly advise what year of study you are in, when you are set to graduate and advise that you meet the requirements to be certified in Canada.

Experience in a client service-based industry, report writing and presenting technical information are considered assets.

As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate independent judgment and tact in dealing with people as well as demonstrate the ability to provide recommendations on complex issues impacting public health. This position also requires individuals to exhibit a high level of professionalism as you will be dealing with sensitive situations.

Candidates must have a valid NS driver’s license, a reliable vehicle and the ability to travel throughout the province.

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.

Additional Information

This competition is to fill three positions, 1 each in Sydney, Truro, Yarmouth.

This is a practicum position with an expected end date of August 19, 2022. The duration of the position will be 16 weeks.

Must be eligible for Special Constable Status, which requires a criminal record check.

Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable motor vehicle.

On October 6, 2021 the Government of Nova Scotia announced full vaccination will be a condition of employment for new staff being hired. View News Release

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.