ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

12d • CA$52 - CA$57 • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Health Specialist reports to the Manager Healthy Environments, Health Protection. This position advises, consults and provides leadership on environmental health issues and practice to management, staff and external community stakeholders and agencies.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health, Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, or Health Sciences, or an equivalent combination of a baccalaureate degree and extensive experience relevant to the primary duties of the position.
• Considerable experience conducting and appraising environmental health studies, including Human Health Risk Assessments, Health Impact Assessments, and Air Quality Studies
• Considerable experience developing and drafting policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, technical reports, standards and recommendations related to environmental health issues.
• Considerable experience in critical appraisal and synthesis of environmental health literature and reports.
• Considerable experience critically appraising and synthesizing scientific and technical evidence to develop recommendations, briefings and other decision-support materials.
• Sound knowledge of Healthy Environments Services programs and services and familiarity with applicable Ontario Statutes and their application, including, the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Environmental Protection Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and professional and regulatory standards (e.g. privacy, record management and documentation).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate complex scientific and technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage projects including the ability to organize work and to exercise sound judgement and initiative.
• Ability to effectively manage and meet timelines for concurrent projects and/or diverse activities.
• Ability to work both independently and on a team.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including community representatives, senior management, technical experts and elected officials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, conflict management, problem solving and consultation skills.
• Understanding of issue management concepts and risk mitigation.
• Proficiency in using word processing, spreadsheet applications and databases.
• Ability to work flexible hours - overtime, shift work including evenings and weekends may be required.
• Familiarity with Change Management and the ability to implement change effectively.

Nice To Haves

• A Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) is considered an assess.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, researches and prepares evidence-based reports, briefing materials, discussion papers and policy proposals on a variety of environmental health and food safety issues including: remediation plans, environmental reports for extensive renovations and building demolitions, risk management, communication plans and new environmental standards.
• Conducts and analyzes studies, surveys and site impacts to prepare reports outlining recommended changes.
• Advises and assists in preparing and drafting new by-laws, policies and procedures, contingency plans and best practice documents to reduce health hazards.
• Supports program development by assisting with tracking and maintaining program data and knowledge repositories, attending / facilitating program committee meetings, responding to program enquiries, coordination of promotional campaigns and media events, preparing presentation and educational materials, updating program websites, securing permits and approvals and with preparing Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotations.
• Coordinates collection and packaging of substances for laboratory analysis and interprets results.
• Maintains familiarity with related laboratory equipment, assessment tools and techniques.
• Consults and/or works collaboratively with external agencies including other jurisdictions at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government in order to identify changing community health needs and assist in program planning to meet those needs.
• Acts as a consultant to other divisions on areas of common concerns and city-wide projects.
• Responds to public enquiries on environmental and occupational health issues including interpretation of legislative requirements and attaining or maintaining required standards.
• Represents TPH at public meetings with stakeholders on environmental issues impacting human health.
• Represents the Division and provides technical input/presentations to community groups, meetings with Councillors, staff, property owners, etc.
• Participates in the development and facilitation of in-service training, staff orientation and staff development programs.
• Participates in internal and external committees and workgroups.
• Carries out joint on-site visits involving complex environmental and occupational health issues and prepares and writes orders providing direction outlining the nature of violation and defining all actions to be undertaken.
• Provides input to responses to FOI requests, property purchases and other environmental health activities.
• Responds to environmental spills and emergencies in consultation with management and makes recommendations to prevent future recurrences.
• Engages in special assignments (e.g. coordinating adverse drinking water quality reports and boil water advisories, beach water monitoring, food safety promotions and campaigns).
• Participates in mentoring students, orienting groups or individuals such as medical students and other health professionals.
• Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.

Benefits

• City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• Barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level