POSITION DETAILS
POSITION TITLE: Environmental Health Coordinator
POSITION #: 0331
CLASSIFICATION: Band 7 Annualised
TENURE: Permanent, Full Time
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Health Services
DIRECTORATE: Services and Planning
REPORTS TO: Manager Planning and Health Services
DATE APPROVED: July 2017
APPROVED BY: Manager Planning and Health Services
1. POSITION OBJECTIVES
· Contribute to the ongoing operation of a successful environmental health service for Nillumbik, including overseeing the development and ongoing function of the Environmental Health unit
· Provide leadership to supervised staff in the Environmental Health unit and throughout the organisation through the display of appropriate professional work habits and behaviours, and managing activities and the delivery of projects to promote a healthy community and achieve regulatory compliance
· Provide direct supervision and mentoring to a group of staff for which the position is responsible
· Provide sound professional advice to internal and external customers on all aspects of environmental health
· Ability to perform all duties and responsibilities of an Authorised Officer under the provisions of the Food Act, Public Health and Wellbeing Act, Environment Protection Act and other relevant regulations
· To manage the Environmental Health budget to ensure all activities and projects are performed within budget allocations.
2. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
2.1 Management
· Proactively provide individual guidance and advice to supervised staff in a regular and coordinated manner to facilitate professional growth, and ensure staff and Council are aware of and understand relevant or changed policy and legislative matters pertaining to environmental health
· Undertake performance planning and annual performance reviews of supervised staff
· Coordinate the development, review and updating of the Regulatory Information and Management System (RIAMS) for the team
· Identify areas in which work processes and procedures can be improved to achieve better and more efficient outcomes, and communicate these to the Manager Planning and Health Services
· Lead the development of the Environmental Health unit’s annual business plan.
2.2 Teamwork
· Facilitate effective team participation by all Environmental Health staff
· Work as an effective team member with all members of the staff within the organisation
· Effectively, efficiently and respectfully liaise with team members and other departments in relation to environmental health matters
· As agreed in consultation with the Manager Planning and Health Services, participate in cross organisational working groups.
2.3 Work Coordination
· Delegate duties and responsibilities to supervised staff with appropriate guiding comment and instruction, in a manner which achieves fair and efficient distribution of work and facilitates the appropriate professional development of staff, and which aligns with delegations of team positions
· Review the outputs of supervised staff, ensuring that these are of appropriate standard, consistent, satisfactorily meet legislative requirements, and accords with Council’s processes and policy
· Assist in the facilitation of outcomes and responses to complaint resolution relating to environmental health matters, including preparing written responses to written complaints received.
2.4 Advice
· Provide consistent, accurate and timely advice to customers, staff and Councillors on matters relating to environmental health and relevant legislation and policies.
2.5 Legislation/Policy Matters
· Keep up to date on relevant policy and legislative matters
· Ensure all supervised staff are aware of and understand relevant policy and legislative matters, including any changes to legislation/policy
· Ensure environmental policy is developed and reviewed to achieve industry best practice
· Keep up to date with delegated responsibility for Amenity Local Laws and ensure compliance is achieved where required.
2.6 Continuous Improvement
· In conjunction with the Manager Planning and Health Services and the other Coordinators within the department, develop and implement plans for improvements to systems and procedures in the department and unit
· Ensure there is effective liaison with other units and departments of Council
· Ensure there is an effective and relevant induction/training and continuing professional development program for the staff in the Environmental Health team.
2.7 Food safety
· Ensure food safety programs are assessed in accordance with statutory requirements under the provisions of the Food Act
· Ensure regular sampling of food products manufactured, prepared or sold in the municipality is conducted in accordance with Council’s food sampling policy, to monitor compliance with statutory requirements
· Ensure regular inspections are conducted of premises requiring registration under the Food Act and Public Health and Wellbeing Act, to monitor compliance with all relevant statutory requirements
· Maintain relevant consultation mechanisms with Food Act proprietors regarding future needs and gaps in service provision.
2.8 Wastewater management
· Coordinate the domestic wastewater permit system, including conducting site and progress inspections, providing advice, and issuing permits in relation to wastewater treatment and disposal where required
· Coordinate the implementation of Council’s Domestic Wastewater Management Plan
· Ensure supervised staff investigate complaints in a timely and effective manner, in accordance with the relevant protocols
· Provide specialist advice to the Statutory Planning and Building teams on various development approval applications
· Coordinate liaison with Yarra Valley Water regarding the sewer backlog program within Nillumbik.
2.9 General environmental health requirements
· Monitor water quality of food premises on tank water and public swimming pools and spas in accordance with Council’s water sampling policy to ensure compliance with statutory requirements
· Monitor complaint investigations made under the Food Act, Public Health and Wellbeing Act, Environment Protection Act, Tobacco Act and any relevant legislation, local law or policy
· Coordinate the implementation of the requirements of the service agreement with the MAV regarding Tobacco Act requirements.
2.10 Emergency management
· Coordinate the development, review and implementation of Environmental Health emergency management plans, including the Influenza Pandemic Plan, Heatwave Strategy and Environmental Health Emergency Management Sub-Plan
· Coordinate the Environmental Health response to emergency events.
2.11 Department Leadership
· Be an appropriate role model to other staff in respect of work habits and professional behaviours
· Be an enthusiastic leader who provides regular encouragement, advice and praise to other staff
· Act in a respectful and cooperative manner with all staff in the unit, and the entire organisation
· Actively encourage innovation in environmental health practices
· Represent Council on local, regional, statewide committees as appropriate.
2.12 Organisational Leadership
At Nillumbik, our leaders:
· Balance strategic and operational viewpoints and aligns service delivery to the organisations strategies
· Identify opportunities to create and recommend innovation and change to maximise organisational benefits
· Approach challenges and problems by understanding the solution as a whole, made up of interrelated departments/units, people and processes and looks for the best solutions across Council
· Interpret broader strategy to develop plans for practical and effective implementation.
3. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Manager Planning and Health Services
Supervises: A team of environmental health officers (including one environmental health technician, a domestic wastewater management officer and an administration officer)
Internal contacts: Councillors
CEO
General Managers
Managers
Other Coordinators
Other staff
External contacts: Residents
Community groups
Food Act and Public Health and Wellbeing Act
proprietors
Developers, plumbers and drainers
Specialist consultants
Government departments/agencies (including Department of Health, EPA, Yarra Valley Water)
Other local councils
Council’s consultants and lawyers
4. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
The Planning and Health Services Department plays an integral role in coordinating development within the Shire which accords with Council's planning and environmental policies. The Environmental Health Unit plays a critical role in promoting, facilitating and maintaining public health within the Shire.
This position provides strong leadership and drives and coordinates the delivery of a successful environmental health service for Council, and to ensure that Council satisfies its statutory obligations with respect to environmental health legislation.
5. ORGANISATIONAL VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
The way staff work together and provide services to the Nillumbik community is guided by a culture reflected in Nillumbik’s values and behaviours.
These values are:
· Do our best
· Support and cooperate
· Take responsibility
· Respect each other
· Foster energy and camaraderie.
In becoming part of Nillumbik Shire Council, all employees are expected to make a genuine commitment and contribution to the organisation’s values and behaviours.
In addition to the general values and behaviors, there are a number of leadership capabilities that all leaders need to support. The abridged versions of the capabilities are included in the relevant sections in this document.
6. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY
· Accountable to the Manager Planning and Health Services for the effective and efficient delivery of the environmental health service
· Responsible for the timely resolution of all customer queries and complaints concerning work of supervised staff
· With the support of the Manager Planning and Health Services, to regularly monitor and review the Environmental Health unit’s processes and procedures to ensure flexible and responsive service delivery, which meets client and community expectations
· Authorised to make decisions on matters that are the responsibility of the position subject to the decisions being within delegated authority, legislative requirements, established policy or recognised standards
· Responsible and accountable for reviewing the work of supervised staff for quality and accuracy
· Freedom to act within policy and legislative constraints
· Contribute to the development of policies relating to the team and input into policies relevant to the Environmental Health unit.
7. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
· Proven ability to identify potentially complex problems and key issues and possible solutions and to make consistent decisions based on a clear and logical analysis
· All actions, recommendations and decisions are in accordance with the Council’s and the position’s delegated authority. The officer is expected to use professional judgment in fulfilling the key duties of the position
· Proven ability to negotiate innovative and practical solutions for issues arising in the Environmental Health unit
· Evaluate results and outcomes of implemented process improvements and reports back to the Manager Planning and Health Services.
At Nillumbik, our leaders:
· Monitor and review plans and performance, and revise and respond accordingly, keeping stakeholders informed
· Establish realistic goals and objectives which align with department and business unit plans - holds self and team accountable for deliverables
· Interpret policy and strategy to develop plans for practical and effective operations
· Make informed and timely decisions and take responsibility for delivery of outcomes.
8. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
8.1 Specialist Skills and Knowledge
· A good understanding of relevant environmental health legislation and the ability to assess and interpret and apply such legislation with particular emphasis on the Food Act, Public Health and Wellbeing Act, Tobacco Act and Environment Protection Act
· Highly developed ability to prepare concise and accurate reports and correspondence on public health matters in accordance with instruments of delegation as approved by Council
· Maintain a good awareness of current and emerging environmental health issues, including changes to legislation or controls, and the outcomes of major studies and reviews, to ensure that correct and timely advice and decision-making is achieved within the team
· The ability to interpret technical and architectural drawings
· Ability to effectively monitor a budget and deliver required services within budget allocations
· Well developed computer literacy and keyboard skills, and the ability to utilise application management and tracking computer software.
8.2 Management Skills
· Ability to supervise environmental health staff, including the delegation of tasks and effective and efficient review of outputs
· Ability to provide leadership to staff through the display of appropriate professional work habits and behaviours, to act as an effective mentor for supervised staff, and to effectively motivate and encourage team members
· Ability to undertake and assess annual performance reviews of team members, and to contribute to the development of staff training and development strategies
· Ability to analyse of processes and to contribute to the identification of improvements, and to prepare and drive the implementation of plans for service delivery in the Environmental Health unit
· Ability to manage time, prioritise, plan and organise own work, despite conflicting pressures.
At Nillumbik, our leaders:
· Motivate and lead the team to empower and engage individuals for high performance teaming
· Establish realistic and clear expectations, providing support and holding people accountable
· Identify future talent and invest in team/individual development opportunities to build organisational capability.
8.3 Interpersonal Skills
· Ability to provide effective professional customer service to a diverse range of clients
· Ability to verbally communicate and negotiate effectively on a range of public health matters to customers and stakeholders, including members of the community, Council officers, government departments and Councillors
· Ability to effectively negotiate with a range of people in respect of matters relating to public health, including members of the community, Council officers, and government departments
· Ability to present effectively in public forum, and the ability to write clear and concise reports and be able to present them to senior management and Councillors
· Ability to respond effectively and appropriately to complaints about the service and/or actions of supervised staff
· Ability to foster constructive working relationships with external and internal stakeholders to drive more efficient and effective service delivery, as well as to integrate public health activities across a local government organisation and to create partnerships in the process.
At Nillumbik, our leaders:
· Maintain a resilient, constructive and optimistic outlook
· Demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and be actively improving these skills
· Act fairly and honestly, practicing good governance principles while modelling Council's values and behaviours
· Proactively initiate and encourage new thinking and new approaches
· Ensure clear two way communication and check what has been understood
· Build and manage positive relationships internally and externally
· Work collaboratively to influence and achieve win-win outcomes with stakeholders while managing conflict for best outcomes with the support of their Manager