Senior Regional Environmental Health Officer

Eligibility: Open to Everyone
Department for Health and Wellbeing – Public Health – Regional Public Health
Salary: $101,285 to $107,078 – PO3 – Full Time / Ongoing appointment Overview:
The Senior Environmental Health Officer undertakes specialist, critical statutory public and environmental health regulatory duties in 'Out-of-Council' Areas of South Australia on behalf of the Minister.
These areas consist of Unincorporated Areas and Aboriginal Lands that make up approximately 85% of the geographical area of the State.
The Senior Environmental Health Officer is responsible for providing front line service delivery for Public Health Planning and Response, Department of Health and Wellbeing.
The position assumes significant responsibility for ensuring proper standards of public and environmental health are maintained in Out-of-Council Areas in accordance with relevant public health legislation.
The role undertakes operational/onsite and office-based regulation, investigation, research, reporting and advising on issues of a more complex nature in remote, rural and Aboriginal communities throughout the State, including: Food safety inspections and audits
Wastewater systems approval and inspection
Regulation and inspection of public swimming pools
Prevention of legionella and associated disease risk in high risk manufactured water systems (cooling towers and certain warm water systems)
Other environmental health related functions or tasks Through an approach of continuous improvement, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing both regulatory and non-regulatory programs and initiatives to improve environmental health standards and to ensure a healthy living environment for the residents of regional, remote communities and Aboriginal communities and surrounding areas within South Australia.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: An appropriate qualification as an environmental health officer (EHO) enabling the incumbent to operate in this profession and be authorised under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011.
Certification as a National Food Safety Auditor Level 4 (Exemplar Global) to enable approval by the Department as a Food Safety Auditor, OR willingness to undertake the necessary training for certification upon employment.
Willingness and ability to undertake approximately 12 extended regional trips per year, generally 4-5 days each, requiring extensive driving on highways and unsealed roads, staying overnight, operating autonomously (at times) and exercising delegated powers and functions under public health legislation.
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working part-time.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and appropriate immunisation requirements.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.
Job ref: 912910
Criminal History Screening Requirement A 'National Police Certificate' NPC (also known as a 'Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check' NCCHC) for employment involving no contact with vulnerable groups is required for this position (general employment)
A DHS 'Working With Children Check' (WWCC) is required for this position.
Immunisation Risk for this position is Category B (indirect contact with blood or body substances)
SA Health Services are required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy in the workplace.
Special Conditions A driver's licence Class C (Car) is essential.
Extensive intrastate travel by road (including driving 4-wheel drive vehicles) and air to remote, rural and Aboriginal communities.
Out of hours work and overnight absences will be required, often for extended periods and in remote and isolated locations.
The person may be alone for periods during the remote work.
Development of close working relationships with Aboriginal people living a traditional lifestyle in remote areas and their organisations will be required.