Role Responsibilities

The Manager, Environmental Public Health Science develops and participates in complex, strategic initiatives related to the collection of information, research, and data on environmental public health science issues. This takes into account the interplay of multiple factors influencing people and communities to develop the best possible solutions for all Albertans. The manager provides expert project and issue management expertise to members of the Environmental Public Health Science team, the Health Protection Branch, the Public and Rural Health Division and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. The manager utilizes a facilitative and cooperative approach to design and strengthen Alberta Health's collaborative working relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and representatives from other government.
 

To be successful in this role, you will have a knowledge of environmental media, research and sampling, public health policy and process development, as well as strong knowledge of government structures and processes.  You will have extensive background and experience in project management and are experienced people leader.  Your excellent communication skills will assist you in building effective working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.  Strong analytical, writing and strategic thinking skills will ensure you are successful in meeting the challenges of this position.
 

Reporting to the Director, Environmental Public Health Science, the manager is responsible for:
Creates and oversees the implementation of activities that enhance the use of environmental public health science in Ministry policy development, develop and sustain collaborative stakeholder engagement and integrate research (including data collection) activities with other government, community, and research sectors:

• Leads and provides project management direction to multi-disciplinary environmental public health teams (within and outside of the Ministry of Health) utilizing environmental public health science to address the link between human health and the environment through Ministry and Government of Alberta policy development, research, and innovation.
• Creates and sustains positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders inside and outside of the health sector. Through leadership and strategic vision, engage with cross ministry committees, F/P/T research coordinating bodies, multi-stakeholder organizations to minimize duplication, pool resources to maximize impact, and produce the best possible solutions and products.
• Plans and develops provincial approaches in the context of the Ministry Business Plan, and align with other Ministry and agency business plans, the public health mandate, and the health protection needs of Albertans.
• Manages the implementation of the approaches or initiatives, including the collection and release of data, human health risk assessments and memos and support the development of knowledge translation activities, which include, but are not limited to, data visualization, mobile/website applications, and plain language documents.
• Incorporates and contextualize the broad determinants of health and well-being including behaviour, lifestyle, cultural, social, economic, health services, environmental, biological, and genetic factors into Branch and/or Ministry evidence-based policy development.
• Facilitates and monitor funding allocations for grants and/or contracts to professional associations, universities, and external consultants.

Role Continue

Provided corporate support and technical advice to the various program areas of the Ministry, Minister, Members of Legislature, other government departments or agencies (Including federal, provincial, and municipal, or Alberta Health Services:

• Manages the development of responses for action requests, correspondence and requests from the public and other departments as requested by the Director;
• Coordinate and contribute the Ministry's input as required to support or advance the department's interest on key Government of Alberta initiatives.
• Participates in or support the Director on interdepartmental cross-ministry and multi- stakeholder initiatives related to environmental public health.
• Research issues as they arise within the department and provide recommendations through written or verbal means.
• Advises on and/or develop communication materials including technical reports, presentations, and Ministerial key messages; and
• Participates in the development of divisional and branch operational plans, which contribute to the overall ministry business plans.
   

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.
 

• Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them. Plan and develop provincial strategies in the context of the Ministry Business Plan and other department business plans, the environmental public health mandate, health needs of Albertans and health system delivery needs.
• Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues. Engages with staff and stakeholders to address identify the cause of issues and find collaborative solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict. It is crucial for this position to create sustainable, positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders inside and outside of the health sector by participating in cross-ministry committees, provincial coordinating committees, working groups and partnerships to minimize duplication, pool resources to maximize impact, and produce the best possible solutions and products.
• Agility: Proactively incorporates change into processes. Respond to emerging events, action requests, correspondence and requests from the public and other departments Research issues as they arise within the department and provide recommendations through written, verbal and electronic responses.
• Develop Self and Others: Encourages development and integration of emerging methods. Encourages staff to learn about other methodology and promotes continuous learning.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

University graduation in a related field (Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science), supplemented by three   years related experience. A Master’s degree in Science or Public Administration is preferred. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.  

Assets:

• Demonstrated project management abilities. Experience in environmental health, including environmental health practice, environmental health risk assessment and management, or environmental sciences (environmental epidemiology, toxicology, risk assessment).
• Progressive experience at the management level and leading people through system changes. 
• Financial management experience including the management of contracts and grants.
   

Preference will be provided to candidates with a background covering a wide range of diverse fields of interest, strong inter-departmental connections, and demonstrated communications, organizational abilities, stakeholder engagement, and relationship building skills. 

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

Hours of Work are Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week (full-time).
 

Candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the educational and experience requirements, along with examples to demonstrate competencies, as noted above. 
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. 
 

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

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.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.