Environmental Health Officer

Interior Health is looking for an Environmental Health Officer to join our team in Penticton on a full time permanent basis.

What we offer:

• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Employer paid training/education opportunities
• Employer paid vacation
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended health & dental coverage
• Municipal Pension Plan
• Work-life balance

About the job:
In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, including “Less Risk, Better Health”, the Environmental Health Officer is responsible for carrying out the diverse program of Health Protection by:

• Managing and delivering consistent, quality, evidence-based programs, services and strategies to reduce risk and improve health.
• Practicing in accordance with the standards of professional practice and code of ethics as outlined by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - BC Branch
• Accomplishing our mission through utilizing a mandate continuum of advocacy, partnership, health education, risk management, facilitated compliance, and the application of law.

Using a variety of professional and technical skills the position promotes and maintains a high standard of public health; enforces applicable health legislation, policies and standards; conducts inspections and risk assessments; identifies factors detrimental to community and environmental health; reduces the incidence of communicable disease and performs technical assessments; provides consultative and education services and ensures that community development does not conflict with a healthy environment.

Typical duties and responsibilities:

• Provides consultation, education and enforcement and prevents the occurrence of disease, injury and public exposure to health hazards by:
• Performing inspectional, regulatory and enforcement duties on various types of food processing and food handling establishments, drinking water supply systems, recreational water facilities, personal service establishments, child care and residential care facilities, and other required facilities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards and best public health practices;
• Investigating complaints and undertaking investigations on a variety of public health related issues and environmental control matters; conducting surveys of conditions to determine existing or potential public health hazards; interpreting results; monitoring corrective action or remedies, and advising the public on health risks as necessary;
• Preparing reports on investigational and inspectional work performed; obtaining samples and specimens of food, liquid and other materials; submitting for testing and analysis; interpreting laboratory results; collecting evidence of violations of by-laws and regulations; and appearing as a witness in court prosecutions;
• Responding to emergencies such as food, water or vector borne epidemics, or disasters; participating in emergency contingency planning, ensuring health standards are maintained in the provision of emergency food and water supplies, waste disposal and temporary housing;
• Performing epidemiological investigations for cases of food poisoning and communicable diseases in accordance with established policies and protocols; issuing instructions or recommendations; and following up to ensure implementation and compliance;
• Assisting the Licensing Officer in the administration of the Community Care Facilities Act and the Adult and Child Care Facilities Regulations; commenting on new license applications; conducting health assessments of care facilities; evaluating and documenting critical hazards and advising of necessary corrective actions;
• Reviewing and assessing plans or proposals for the operation or construction of food premises, water supplies, recreation facilities, community care facilities, personal service facilities, and industrial camps; including approving or rejecting of permits or licenses, and consulting with and advising applicants on relevant requirements;
• Reviewing submissions from government agencies such as business license applications, by-laws, leases, pesticide use, waste management applications and subdivision proposals; recommending issuance or rejection of permits, support or non support of approvals or licenses based on the impact to environmental health;
• Evaluating subdivision and development proposals referred from approval agencies, and using a lens of an integrated approach to improve human health by creating a healthier built environment, providing a response to determine the cumulative effects of the proposal (including but not limited to the impacts of onsite sewage disposal), and promoting community planning and design which prevents potential environmental and social threats;
• Participating on Local Government committees and providing comments on Official Community Plan, Bylaw reviews and amendments and other land use planning documents; and
• Participating in internal/external environmental health related committees.

• Ensures compliance with Health Legislation and standards by:
• Utilizing a progressive enforcement process (Mandate Continuum) that includes education, persuasion and enforcement;
• Issuing recommendations, orders, tickets, injunctions and other enforcement tools as required;
• Interpreting and providing advice on legislation, policies and procedures; providing guidance to enable compliance with standards and policies.

• Other related Duties:
• Documenting activities and maintaining comprehensive records, files and statistics; preparing ad hoc written reports and ensuring the integrity of the health protection information system;
• Participating in workshops and public meetings on a variety of public health and environmental issues.
• Providing training to student Environmental Health Officers and orientation to new staff;
• Maintaining an inventory of equipment and supplies and taking responsibility for assigned equipment;
• Attending seminars, in-service workshops and staff meetings to maintain knowledge in health issues as required by the employer;
• Performing other related duties as assigned or required.