Environmental Health - Public Health Inspector

Environmental Health - Public Health Inspector

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Public Health Inspector

Contact up to 18 months

Windsor Site

CUPE 543.3 (Grid 10)

Posting closes Nov 8, 2024

Overall Job Responsibility

Reporting to the Managers of the Environmental Health Department, the Public Health Inspector applies preventive and public health knowledge, techniques, and skills to reduce the incidence of communicable diseases, occupational illnesses, food-borne disease, and health hazards in the public in accordance with Ministry of Health Ontario Public Health Standards, associated Ministry Protocols and Guidelines, the Health Protection and Promotion Act and its Regulations, and any other pertinent legislation. The public health inspector conducts public health inspections, enforces health protection regulations and applicable by-laws, promotes public health principles, and works with government and stakeholders to support healthy policies and environments that support health. This position supports the on-going operations of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Initiates the development, implementation and maintenance of operational procedures, information systems, administrative documentation and record control for health inspection programs.
2. Identifies, assesses and investigates health hazards in residential, commercial, recreational, social and industrial premises ranging from chemicals and toxins, waste disposal, indoor air quality, food preparation, pests and vermin, waterborne pollutants, soil contamination and communicable and non-communicable disease related to food borne and/or improper hygiene. Carries out on-site investigations to determine the nature and extent of the violation.
3. Conducts on-site assessment and inspections of SDWS’s, food premises, public institutions (i.e. day nurseries, nursing homes, funeral homes, schools, group homes), recreation facilities (i.e. swimming pools, wading pools, spas and splash pads) and other public premises (i.e. personal service settings, banquet halls) on a regular basis to ensure the facilities are maintained and operations are being carried out in accordance with all applicable legislation and established preventative health practices.
4. Educates clients on the requirements for their premises and works with them to attain and maintain the required standards. Identifies hazards, interprets the legislation requirements and develops a course of action with the client. In consultation with the client, establishes priorities in order to achieve compliance, monitors progress and provides additional assistance as necessary.
5. Completes and/or prepares and writes orders and directives which give direction outlining the nature of the violation and defining all actions to be undertaken by persons in contravention of established health standards or legislation. Gathers, completes and processes all legal documentation (reports) in accordance with recognized standards. Attends court or Health Protection Appeal Board as an expert witness as necessary. Executes a search warrant in extreme cases. Serves Provincial Offence notices and summonses as a Provincial Offences Officer, works with the prosecutor in the case preparation and gives evidence in court.
6. Reviews plans. Advises architects, contractors, and prospective business operators regarding non-compliance and provides technical advice as required. Inspects new establishments on change of ownership and notifies appropriate authorities of non-compliance situations.
7. Responds to outbreaks and makes recommendations to prevent further spread.
8. Collects samples and specimens and forwards to a laboratory for analysis. Provides interpretation of laboratory results and initiates further action if necessary.
9. Investigates animal to human contact (bites/scratch) complaints. Ensures animal owners are in compliance with the Rabies Regulation. Completes the appropriate follow-up with clients and ensures the confinement/isolation of the animal. Completes laboratory submission forms for rabies testing and arranges for the submission of the animal head samples to the laboratory for testing, should it be warranted, in order to determine if the animal was rabid. Provides consultation and support to physicians in regards to rabies prophylaxis and delivers vaccine to physicians. Provides education to the public in regard to rabies awareness and works collaboratively with Animal Services (Humane Society, dog pounds etc.).
10. Develops and implements environmental health programs, interventions and procedures to reduce targeted health hazards.
11. Mentors students, provides work direction and consultation to new staff and students to ensure accuracy, consistency and adherence to recognized policies, divisional procedures and legislative standards. Completes the evaluation form of student health inspectors. Assists in the orientation of other health professionals.
12. Assists in the preparation and drafting of new policies and procedures and their implementation. Conducts special studies, special surveys and analysis findings and prepares reports for manager outlining recommended changes. Maintains current level of knowledge in technical information related to environmental health by attending educational conferences.
13. Participates on boards, committees and work groups. Represents the area and the department on intra and interdepartmental and community committees to identify community health needs and assist in planning programs to meet those needs.
14. Collects and/or coordinates the collection and packaging of samples (e.g. asbestos, food stuffs, water samples, etc.) for laboratory analysis, interprets results and takes appropriate action. Maintains familiarity with related equipment, assessment tools, and changing techniques. Interprets results and provides feedback to clients.
15. Liaises with the community to provide information on environmental health issues. Responds to enquiries from the public on all environmental health issues (e.g. water quality, mould, food safety, rabies, sanitizing etc.).
16. Reviews the accuracy and ensures the timely submission of all inspection reports and daily activity sheets.

Position Qualifications:

Education, training, & experience

1. Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada); CPHI(C) issued by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.
2. Ongoing CIPHI(C) membership is a requirement.
3. Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Health or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Requirements:

1. Knowledge of Ontario Public Health Standards.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
3. Proficiency with current computer applications (Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher; Internet; email).
4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
5. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize workloads.
6. Availability for evening and weekend work.
7. A valid Ontario Driver’s Licence, access to a reliable motor vehicle during working hours, as well as 1 million dollars in liability insurance.
8. Satisfactory police information search.
9. Must work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all policies and procedures of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
10. Ability to speak a second language would be an asset.
11. TB and Immunization policies must be adhered to.

This position includes the option of hybrid work, whereby employees may be able to work remotely or from the office, based on departmental needs, job duties and personal work preferences. The successful candidate must reside within the province of Ontario and must be available to attend the office upon request.

Band

Entry Rate

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

4th Year

5th Year

10

$38.45

$39.64

$40.86

$42.12

$43.43

$44.78

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.