Principal Public Health Medical Officer - Environment

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 all Victorians. We’re focused on supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.
Job Details
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Department: Department of Health
Work Type: Fixed term - full time
Job Function: Other
Classification: VPSG6
Work Location: Melbourne - CBD
Reference: VG/1818045
Closing Date: 19-Sep-2024
Salary Range: $134,593 - $180,115
Job Duration: 12 months
Attachments: 723540 VPS6 Principal Public Health Medical Officer (Environment) 5 September 2024.docx (Word, 165KB)
Position Description

723540 VPS6 Principal Public Health Medical Officer (Environment) 5 September 2024.pdf (PDF, 139KB)
Position Description

Contact: Evelyn Wong
0492 023 070; evelyn.e.wong@health.vic.gov.au

Position Details

About the role: 

  • The successful applicant will play a key role in relation to developing, delivering and improving investigation and control activities in Victoria's health protection activities.
  • This position will be responsible for providing authoritative public health advice, information and direction to departmental officers, management, key stakeholders and members of the community. This job offers an excellent opportunity for those wishing to develop skills in health protection (environment) policy and planning, and public health emergency management and would be suitable for someone undertaking advanced training in public health medicine.
  • This position is required to participate in an on-call roster and provide response outside of standard business hours and as such the position is expected to be available to contribute to the branch response, including after-hours work and stand-by duties

About us: 

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected. 

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all. 

How you'll make a difference:

  • Provide expert public health medical, technical and strategic advice and input to policy development, review and reporting on significant issues pertaining to environmental public health issues.
  • Provide public health medical advice and information to respond to incidents and emergencies in the range of environmental health and communicable diseases.
  • Improve public health outcomes by working collaboratively with environmental health experts on the development of standards, procedures, guidelines and policies.
  • Rapidly identify and characterise public health risks allowing interpretation of implications for policy, practice and being able to appropriately prioritise a response.
  • Provide timely expert advice and develop open and effective communication strategies including collection of highly complex, contentious or sensitive information on matters of public health.
  • Provide high quality business intelligence, authoritative advice and sound policy recommendations to senior management and government based on comprehensive research.
  • Oversee the development of policy and initiatives that meet government and departmental objectives within resourcing, timeline and budget parameters.
  • Review and report on high priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present comprehensive reports, ministerial briefs and cabinet and agency submissions on complex issues.
  • Pro-actively build and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the department and with key external stakeholders.
  • Maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State legislative and policy reform directions to influence policy development.
  • Represent the department on committees and community-based forums concerned with achieving government and departmental objectives.

To learn more please click ‘Apply' to view the Position Description on the Careers.vic website. 

What we offer: 

The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.

A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.

A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply: 

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the ‘Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date. 

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. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. 

All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at inclusion@health.vic.gov.au. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks including proof of 3 vaccinations (including booster) against COVID-19. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence, in line with our Privacy Policy

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for employees who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform. As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through the JSE. 


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