Role Responsibilities

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Provincial Vaccine Depot Team Lead to be the first point of support for staff at the Provincial Vaccine Depot. The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising and managing the ordering, inventory control, cold chain management, and distribution of vaccines and other biological products to various health zone delivery sites. The Team Lead will use their cold chain and distribution knowledge to support staff in day-to-day problem solving (e.g. a request for an interim shipment to a regional depot). The position will also advise leadership on options available when additional distribution sites are added and all quality assurance activities within the Provincial Vaccine Depot. This role is critical in ensuring compliance with Federal Drug Establishment Licensing requirements and maintaining the integrity of biological products throughout the storage and distribution process. This position will also require working in cold environments for extended periods and participating in an on-call rotation 24/7/365.
 

The job responsibilities include:
Inventory Management:

• Overseeing vaccine inventory using the Alberta Vaccine Inventory System.
• Manage ordering, receiving, and distribution processes, ensuring products are stored correctly and maintained within temperature guidelines (2-8°C).
• Addressing inventory issues and communicate with manufacturers and stakeholders regarding shortages, expiry dates, and product discrepancies.

Team Leadership & Communication:

• Supervising, training, and supporting PVD staff and provide guidance on inventory and product handling procedures.
• Redistribute tasks among staff based on changing workload and communicate those changes. 
• Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including Alberta Health, Immunization Teams, and suppliers.
   

Policy Development & Procedure Management:

• Contribute to the development of policies related to vaccine storage, handling, and distribution.
• Leading the maintenance and development of PVD standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance across the team.
• Assist with the training and education of Vaccine Coordinators and other staff on best practices and procedures.

Role Responsibilities Contd.

Receiving and Quality Assurance:

• Ensuring accurate product receipt, inspect for damages, and confirm shipments meet cold chain requirements.
• Releasing products only after authorization from the manufacturer or the Provincial Coordinator, Biologics.
• Managing biological product storage and ensure appropriate cold chain handling, including regular temperature checks and temperature mapping.
• These tasks apply to both vaccine at the Provincial Vaccine Depot and to antiviral medication at a separate storage facility.
   

Product Distribution:

• Fulfilling orders from Vaccine Coordinators and arrange the safe transportation and delivery of biological products to designated sites.
• Ensuring cold chain protocols are adhered to during shipping and maintain appropriate records.
   

Cold Chain & Biological Handling:

• Monitoring and reporting any deviations in cold chain conditions and follow contingency plans when required.
• Initiating Cold Chain Break Reports and consult with manufacturers for stability data.
• Documenting and disposing of expired or damaged products appropriately.

Pandemic Response:

• Overseeing the receipt, storage, and distribution of pandemic supplies, including antiviral medications, ensuring cold chain integrity and timely delivery.
• Responding to alarms and emergencies related to biological product storage and distribution.

Other Duties:

• Managing equipment maintenance, repair schedules, and inventory audits.
• Producing periodic reports and handle documentation related to inventory control, product wastage, and quality assurance.
   

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
 

Develop Self and Others:

• Align personal career goals with organizational objectives and contribute to continuous growth.
• Leverage your strengths and aim for stretch goals, consistently pushing yourself to higher levels.
• Provide feedback to team members and engage in open discussions regarding performance.
• Embrace diversity within the team and actively support the personal development of colleagues.

Agility:

• Adapt to a changing environment and take the initiative to implement change where needed.
• Identify opportunities for work process improvement and proactively contribute to innovation.
• Maintain composure and stay optimistic during stressful situations, adapting to change with grace.
• Seek advice and support to make appropriate changes that align with team and organizational objectives.
• Exhibit creativity in finding solutions within established guidelines.

Drive for Results:

• Take personal responsibility for outcomes, ensuring that individual and team goals are met.
• Utilize a variety of resources to monitor your performance and meet or exceed standards.
• Acknowledge indirect responsibilities and contribute to achieving broader organizational goals.
• Remain committed to achieving objectives that benefit Albertans, even in the face of challenges or uncertainty.
• Deliver results consistent with the vision and direction of the Alberta Public Service (APS).

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
Two-year technical diploma in science plus two years related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 
1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following experience is required: 

• Extensive experience and knowledge in warehousing and materials management, including computerized inventory management systems and quality assurance strategies.
• Excellent leadership and employee relation skills.
• Strong computer skills including excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office-Excel.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Clear understanding of cold chain management, handling, distribution and inventory directives and guidelines that will be used in the day-to-day operation of the PVD.
• Excellent organization and problem-solving skills.
• Must be accurate, reliable, precise, and self-motivated. 
• Must also be able to function both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent ability and skills in the safe operation of materials handling equipment, e.g. pallet stackers, wrappers, strappers, etc.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Basic knowledge of government and departmental financial policies and procedures.
• Warehouse Occupation Intermediate or Technician Certificate is an asset.
• Previous experience in a vaccine depot setting is beneficial.
• Experience with supervising a team is an asset.
• Working knowledge of pharmacy abbreviations, generic and trade medication names, aseptic technique, and dispensary functions is an asset.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Full-time position working 36.25 hours per week from 07:30 am to 03:45 pm. This position also participates in a non-call rotation.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.
 

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).
 

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.
 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.