Director, Public Health Surveillance

The Government of Nova ScotiaHalifax, NS
CA$112,376 - CA$140,469Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Public Health Surveillance leads a team of epidemiologists and other surveillance staff and provides leadership and direction for the development and delivery of multiple plans and strategies aligned to departmental and government priorities related to the surveillance of public health issues whose purpose is to understand the health of communities and population health determinants, and recognize and assess outbreaks and trends in chronic disease, communicable disease, and injury. The Director is responsible for approving plans and strategies and makes recommendations to senior leadership on whether a major initiative should proceed. The Director also contributes to the development of frameworks and policies by working with partners in other departments and identifies new innovative opportunities programs, markets, and initiatives to further develop and strengthen Nova Scotia.

Requirements

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree
  • Demonstrate professional experience in policy and program development, and implementation within provincial mandates.
  • Experience in leading transformational change through system thinking and shared governance.
  • A solid understanding of legislative processes, and regulatory processes as they relate to provincial programs, is required for this position.
  • Demonstrated success in project management, managing multiple priorities and leading teams within a complex system is required.
  • Expertise in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships is also required.
  • The expertise to act as the departmental authority on program management plans.
  • The ability to think conceptually and see the “big picture” but also be able to synthesize complex information and ideas into tangible recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and relationship building skills for regular contact with senior officials of the department, as well as management, supervisory and technical staff.
  • Strong leadership skills to build a high performing team.
  • Excellent collaboration and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to bring innovative and creative insights and solutions.
  • Strong strategic business skills.
  • Effective decision-making skills.
  • Demonstrated a commitment to equity and diversity in the public service and recognize the value of diverse voices when building strategic plans to meet the needs of Nova Scotians.

Nice To Haves

  • Experience with public health systems, population health assessment and public health surveillance and epidemiology is an asset.
  • A graduate level degree (Master's) would also be an asset.

Responsibilities

  • Designs, develops and delivers reporting and accountability mechanisms to ensure the requirements and expectations of the Department are met.
  • Ensures that strategies and plans are aligned with overall Government strategy, branch strategic planning and the Health Protection Act.
  • Leads and monitors surveillance programs and population health assessments by analyzing reports and preparing summary and briefings to the Minister (interpreting policies and legislation).
  • Champions the expansion and evolution of surveillance and population health assessment and leads the strategic direction and operations of the team and oversees the strategic growth of the public health surveillance mandate.
  • Utilizes a broad knowledge of public health, population health assessment and surveillance to maintain effective and collaborative relationships with provincial, federal and international governments, partners and organizations.
  • Represents the Department on government, inter-department and internal committees, project teams, and at conferences and meetings.
  • Leads the development and/or operation of aspects of the internal and external communications system with broad direction from Senior Executive Director, Chief/ Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health, Associate Deputy Minister, and/or Deputy Minister.
  • Ensures the effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communications, monitoring expenditures while adhering to procurement guidelines.

Benefits

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Health
  • Dental
  • Life Insurance
  • General illness
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Vacation
  • Employee and Family Assistance Programs
  • 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 is our focus.
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