Health Protection Consultant (Program Admin Officer 4)

Competition # : 49381

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 10-Aug-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

As the Health Protection Consultant, you will play a key role in providing leadership and shaping the strategic direction of Health Protection programs in Nova Scotia, including communicable disease prevention and control and immunization. You will apply current evidence and best practices to support program development; develop, implement, and assess policies, standards, and guidelines; and monitor these activities to ensure quality, consistency, and effectiveness.

Primary Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director, Health Protection, you will play a lead role in the development of provincial, evidence‑informed health protection policies, standards, and guidelines, and in providing expert advice to senior leadership on legislation and regulation. You will synthesize scientific evidence and national and international guidance, assess risks and system‑level impacts, and collaborate on strategic policy direction related to communicable disease prevention and control, immunization, and emerging health protection issues under the Health Protection Act.

You will provide strategic leadership to translate policy into operational practice and strengthen system‑wide performance. This includes leading complex projects aligned with Public Health priorities; managing objectives, resources, timelines, and risks; monitoring program performance; and delivering clear operational guidance, recommendations, and briefings to support consistent and effective implementation across the provincial health protection system.

You will represent the province and provide leadership in cross‑sectoral and intergovernmental collaboration to advance health protection outcomes. This includes working with Nova Scotia Health, provincial and federal partners, and external stakeholders; contributing to federal‑provincial‑territorial committees; serving as a provincial lead for communicable disease, immunization, and outbreak response; and overseeing financial and resource planning to ensure accountable and effective use of resources.

Qualifications And Experience

You possess either a bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Public Health Sciences plus minimum six (6) years of experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Credentials as a Registered Nurse or Certified Public Health Inspector are required.

You bring demonstrated experience in health protection, including communicable/infectious disease prevention and control, immunization, policy and program development, implementation and evaluation, and outbreak management. You have strong analytical and assessment skills, experience applying evidence to system‑level decision‑making, and a solid working knowledge of the Health Protection Act.

Knowledge of the social determinants of health and their relationship to communicable disease risk is essential.

You are a strong leader and collaborator with the ability to build partnerships across the Public Health Branch, Nova Scotia Health, and provincial and national committees. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including risk communication; strong organizational and decision‑making abilities; and the capacity to manage competing priorities.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education, and experience will be considered. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A related master’s degree in Public Health and four (4) years of related experience

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate those equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings,

Working Conditions

Most of your work is in a comfortable office environment located in downtown Halifax. There is a need for you to balance competing priorities, attend multiple meetings, and meet strict deadlines. Provincial travel may be required.

What We Offer

• 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 and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,410.48 - $4,005.58 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under‑represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self‑identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This Is a Bargaining Unit Position Initially Restricted To Current Civil Service Employees Represented By The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU).

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

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