25.11 Public Health Inspector

**South East Health Unit** (SEHU) is a public health agency with over 500 staff and volunteers who deliver public health programs and services to the people of the South East region. As of January 1st, 2025, SEHU is a newly merged entity of three legacy public health units, each with its own collective agreement. This process may result in the same role with similar job postings appearing at different locations or with varying compensation rates. If you are unsure which posting applies to you or have questions about the role, pay, or location, please contact us.

***:
Reporting to the Manager, Infectious and Communicable Diseases, the **Public Health Inspector** (PHI) is responsible for providing public health management of diseases of public health significance, contacts, and outbreaks to minimize the public health risk in accordance with the Infectious Disease Protocol. The PHI will conduct inspections of Long-Term Care Facilities, Retirement Homes, Daycare Centres, International Agricultural Workers Housing (IAW), and Group Homes as per Ontario Public Health Standards and protocols. In addition, the position will work with the team to receive and investigate complaints regarding infection prevention and control lapses.

**Responsibilities Include**:

- Perform routine inspections as per public health protocols on food safety, IAW, water quality, emergency response, outbreak control, and infection control in retirement homes, long term care homes, group homes and childcare centres.
- Investigate and report on infection prevention and control (IPAC) lapses in accordance with Infection Prevention and Control Complaint Protocol, 2022 or as current.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date reports and records for referral and potential litigations.
- Collect and submit water, food, and patient specimens for laboratory analysis and interpret results.
- Complete reportable disease case, contact and outbreak investigations as per infectious disease protocols.
- Work with committees, advisory bodies, or networks that address infection prevention and control practices and policies addressing respiratory infection and gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions and facilities, such as hospitals, long-term care homes, childcare settings, and other institutional/facility settings in accordance with the Institutional/Facility Outbreak Prevention and Control Protocol, 2018 or as current.
- Provide public education to increase awareness related to infection prevention and control measures, including respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, and environmental controls.
- Plans and conducts training and educational sessions as needed, in conjunction with community partners and internal teams.
- Receive reports of and respond to infectious diseases of public health importance in accordance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act; the Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006; the Infectious Diseases Protocol, 2018 (or as current); and the Institutional/ Facility Outbreak Management Protocol, 2018 (or as current).
- Detects and identifies health hazards and works toward eliminating health hazards in all assigned areas, including emergency conditions.
- Conducts environmental sampling to assess the potential or existence of a health hazard as needed.
- Issues, when necessary, Community Health Protection Orders, Offence Notices, Summonses, and other legal documents as a Provincial Offences Officer.
- Acts as a source of professional public health knowledge, to the public, internal teams, and community partners and participates in program initiatives to foster specialised professional knowledge.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education**
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or equivalent.
- Current certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada).
- Environmental Health graduates (as of January 2017) must be CIPHI members.
- Completion of Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is an asset.

**Experience**
- One (1) year of related experience preferred.
- Previous experience in public health is an asset.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and related regulations.
- Ability to work independently with sound judgement and decision making.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office) and a demonstrated ability to learn new software programs.
- Immunizations must be up-to-date and maintained in compliance with all applicable policies.
- Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.

**Contract Duration**:
This position will start as soon as possible and will continue up to 10 months.

**Working Conditions**:
Interacting with clients in a variety of private, community, and institutional locations which can be indoors or outdoors. There may be possible exposure to communicable diseases and