Specialist, Food Safety P2BS

Job Title:
SPECIALIST, FOOD SAFETY P2BS
Requisition #:
190064
Job Location:
Canada-British Columbia-Vancouver
Department:
ComSS Food Protection
Job Type:
Temporary, Full Time
Start Date of Employment:
17-Nov-2025
Posting Date:
10-Oct-2025
Work Days:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri,
Hours of Work:

Work Site:
655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Salary/Rate:
$40.75/Hour Job Summary: In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Specialist, Food Safety and Environmental Health reports to the Public Health Manager provides leadership and expertise in order to promote and maintain a high standard of public health, food safety, environmental conditions, and environmental control standards across BC. The role is informed by and provides expert advice related to applicable acts, such as the Food Safety Act, regulations and by-laws; identifies all factors detrimental to community and environmental health and for the abatement of same as provided for by applicable rules, acts, and regulations; reviews and drafts new and/or updates standards, programs and controls. Maintains relationships and liaises with health authorities, provincial and federal partners. Monitors and analyzes provincial and national trends and provides expert advice and guidance to regional health authorities related to a wide variety of public health, food safety and environmental health issues. Performs education, research, assessments, analytical tasks, and prepares relevant reports. As a recognized expert, represents the province on national and international committees as necessary. Duties/Accountabilities: 1. Provides leadership and expertise in environmental health and/or food safety programs in BC by methods such as: providing advice and guidance to local health authorities and the public, partnering with other agencies, developing guidelines and information that are used as a basis for programs administered by the health authorities, evaluating and addressing provincial environmental health and/or food safety policy issues, and initiating changes to ensure that provincial programs meet current scientific standards. 2. Provides specialist advice to the provincial government on food safety and/or environmental health related legislation & regulations, policy, standards and education needs. 3. Supports health authorities to conduct surveys of conditions to determine existing or potential public health hazards. 4. Assesses trends and provides recommendations to health authorities, Ministry of Health (MoH) and other health system partners on various types of food processing and food handling establishments, various types of business premises and buildings, plumbing, water and sewage disposal systems, swimming, spray & swirl pools, tobacco retailers, personal services establishments, child care and residential care facilities, proposed subdivisions and related installations. 5. Assesses results and provides recommendations to health authorities, MoH and other health system partners based on findings from health authority inspections of water quality including drinking, recreational and wastewater, and other environmental and pollution control matters. 6. Works with health authority partners to enforce the Drinking Water Protection Act and Regulation and carries out joint inspections of water supply systems. Issues licenses for provincial dairies and conducts food safety assessments of food processing systems throughout the Province by inspecting facilities, testing equipment, taking samples and analyzing results. 7. Ensures compliance with the Food Safety Act and enforces regulations by issuing orders of compliance, revocation of licenses, seizing of contaminated product, issuing violation tickets and initiating legal proceedings. Initiates and coordinates food recalls of contaminated food products. 8. Jointly investigates cases of food poisoning and communicable diseases; works with health authorities and liaises with provincial and national partners to facilitate efficient investigation and public health response. 9. Acts as an expert resource providing guidance internally and externally to stakeholders such as Worksafe BC and industry partners in the control and extermination of rodents, vermin and insects. 10. Performs research duties and conducts public health studies, assessments and reviews; compiles, assembles and analyzes data related to public health and environmental protection, control and regulatory matters and makes recommendations on matters such as improved standards and controls for prevention of specific developments; reviews and drafts applicable by-laws, standards, regulations and policies. 11. Prepares reports on investigational work performed; works with health authorities to obtain and submit for testing and analysis, samples and specimens of food, liquid and other material. Recommends a variety of field tests and provides support with data and trend analyses and interpretation of laboratory results. Reviews evidence of violations of by-laws and regulations and provides guidance on next steps to health authorities; appears as a witness in court prosecutions as required. 12. Works with health authorities to conduct assessments of proposed and industrial discharges to the environment, and provides expert advice and recommendations to ensure sustainable and healthy community development and compliance with standards, guidelines and regulations. 13. Represents BCCDC on a wide variety of provincial and national environmental health and/or food safety planning committees and working groups. Participates in internal environmental health and/or food safety related committees. 14. Partners with health authorities to prepares and conducts educational sessions and workshops on a variety of public health, food safety and environmental issues for groups such as students, industry and partner agencies. 15. Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications: Education & Experience

• Master of Science in Environmental Health, Food Safety or Microbiology Health degree, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Five (5) years' recent and related experience.
• Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) granted by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI(C)), Professional Agrologists (P. Ag.), or a related licensing body.
• This position involves travel within and outside the Vancouver area; a car and valid BC Driver's license is required. Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated ability conducting inspections and investigations using a risk-based approach.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the food industry, food safety and management systems such as HACCP.
• Ability to determine compliance or corrective action in the inspection of public facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, analyze, conceptualize and apply relevant knowledge to practice.
• Ability to analyze and interpret test and inspection results.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including speaking in public and preparing reports.
• Demonstrated skills in resolving sensitive issues, and achieving objectives through partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently, and to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical documents, such as legislative acts and regulations, architectural and engineered plans, and chemical and bacteriological laboratory reports.
• Ability to operate related equipment such as sampling equipment and recorders. Ability to use a wide variety of related computer software applications.
  Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.