The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of Victorians into the future. We also lead the Victorian Government's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Working with our partners, we oversee Victoria's health system including mental health, ageing and aged care and preventive health. We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. All jobs can be worked flexibly and we encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position in the Water Unit (Water Sector Risk and Prevention team) sits within the Health Protection Branch of the Department of Health. The Water Unit aims to protect people from chemical and microbial hazards in water and seeks to improve the health of Victorians by administering the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973, and provisions relating to aquatic facilities under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. More information about managing water quality to protect public health is available at https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/water.

The position is an authorised officer responsible for administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and associated regulations. The position has a regulatory function and liaises with the Victorian water agencies. Responsibilities include matters relating to water agencies compliance, response to issues affecting the safety or aesthetics of drinking water and overseeing risk management from catchment to tap for drinking water supplies. The position provides authoritative, scientific, evidence-based and informed advice and makes recommendations regarding human health risks from water related issues including microbial and chemical risks. This position is responsible for reviewing scientific literature and keeping abreast of emerging risks related to drinking water to inform a proactive and preventive public health response.

The position is also responsible for providing leadership within the Water Sector Risk and Prevention team and develops and implements drinking water related policy and initiatives and monitors, assesses and reports on issues, incidents, investigations and emergencies regarding drinking water quality and human health risks. The role also provides stand-by duty out-of-business hours on a rotating roster responding to water quality incidents and emergencies.

Accountabilities 

• Provide authoritative advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to complex and sensitive issues based on comprehensive research. 
• Develop policy initiatives that meet government and departmental objectives within resourcing, timeline and budget parameters.
• Monitor and report on high priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present reports, ministerial briefs, Cabinet and agency submissions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the department and also with key external stakeholders at the Commonwealth and State levels.
• Maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State legislative and policy reform directions to influence policy development.
• Represent the department on key stakeholder committees and groups concerned with achieving government and departmental objectives and contribute to relevant committee and governance processes at the Commonwealth and State levels.
• Actively monitor and follow up regulatory and compliance related matters with the Victorian water agencies and report as required on these issues to the manager in order to effectively administer the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and associated regulations to protect public health.
• Undertake complex independent work and assessment of public health risks for drinking water-related public health issues, incidents, emergencies and policies. 
• Respond to and investigate incidents and events concerned with public health-related drinking water issues in collaboration with stakeholders and other government agencies and make recommendations for action.
• Develop and implement compliance and evaluation strategies to address issues related to the effective provision and implementation of required outcomes.
• Provide authoritative evidence-based advice and recommendations on health risk communication and management to the Health Protection Branch, the Chief Health Officer and other stakeholders to ensure the protection of Victorians from hazards in drinking water, including pathogens and chemicals in water. Key areas of responsibilities include undertaking human health quantitative risk assessments relating to chemicals in drinking water, informing the management of chemical risks in water.
• Administer department operational policies in relation to the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 and other related health legislation.

Mandatory Vaccination Policy

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its workers and clients. As it is an essential element of any role within the department that employees be able to attend work onsite and to do so safely, employees are required to be up-to-date with their vaccinations against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment. This requirement applies unless they have a medical condition which means they cannot be vaccinated against COVID -19. Therefore, the department will ask any prospective employee, who has been identified as the preferred candidate for a role within the department, to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to any offer of employment being made. If a prospective employee has a relevant medical condition which means they cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19, they should contact the department to discuss their individual circumstances.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants are encouraged to apply online, submitting a cover letter and a current resume.

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through https://www.vic.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-exchange rather than via external advertisement.

For this position, you are not required to address each of the key selection criteria in a separate written document.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including national police check and misconduct screening.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

For further information please visit the Department of Health <https://www.health.vic.gov.au>

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your interest in this position.