QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Tertiary qualification in Environmental and/or Public Health that is eligible for membership with professional organisation (EHPA/EHA).
• Management qualifications will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience in the Local Government compliance field
• Experience in managing a multi-disciplined team environment.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Tertiary qualification in Environmental and/or Public Health that is eligible for membership with professional organisation (EHPA/EHA).
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing and overseeing multiple levels of service provision, to achieve organisational objectives.
• Demonstrated experience successfully motivating and leading teams, across a multi-faceted level.
• Demonstrated ability to optimise resources and determine priorities.
• Demonstrated experience effectively developing policy and implementing strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with elected members, staff, the community, Government Departments and other organisations.
• Highly proficient report writing and communication skills.

Position Summary

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Manager Community Health will efficiently and effectively manage the Community Health department to ensure the provision of quality services in the areas of Local Laws/Fire Prevention, Saleyards, Environmental Health, Sport and Recreation (including Leisure Centre) and Housing.

Key Requirements

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

• Accountable to the COO for the efficient and effective performance in each of the key responsibility areas.
• Accountable to the Community for the quality of services and supports provided.
• Authorised to assist in the recruitment and selection of Community Health employees.
• Authorised to administer the Community Health department budget and approve expenditure within delegation and budgetary constraints.
• Freedom to act is set by broad goals, policies and budgets, and actions taken may have a substantial effect on the business unit, directorate or the public perception of the organisation.
• Regular reporting to the Director Community Development and Wellbeing is required to ensure adherence to organisational goals and objectives.
• Ensure all services and projects are delivered in accordance to funding body guidelines.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

• The position involves problem solving and innovative thinking and sound decision making, particularly in the areas of compliance.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyse the external and internal environments and identify options for service delivery for senior management to consider.

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• An appreciation of the role that Council plays in Community Health within the broader organisational context of the Council.
• Understanding of the legal, socio-economic and political context that Council operates.
• An ability to interpret research to implement and initiate strategies.
• Sound knowledge of budgeting and accounting/financial procedures.
• Knowledge of State, Federal and Local Government responsibilities and processes related to community development.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills.
• Well developed conflict negotiation skills.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

• Well-developed organisational and management skills.
• Ability to manage effectively with a high degree of flexibility within a changing workplace environment.
• Ability to liaise with senior officers, clients and their families, State Government Departments, referral agencies, local and regional service networks and the general community.
• Skills in time management, forward planning and budgeting will be required for this position.
• Ability to manage a diverse team to meet organisational goals and objectives.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• A high level of communication skills is essential for this position to enable the preparation of appropriate reports and media releases.
• The position will also require an ability to relate to a range of people including government officers, Ministers, media and the wider community.
• Ability to persuade, convince or negotiate with clients, members of the public, employees and stakeholders.
• Ability to lead, develop and motivate other employees.

Job Responsibility

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Staff Management and Leadership

• Assist the Manager People and Culture with the selection and recruitment of Community Health staff.
• Provide leadership and manage the training and professional development of staff according to personnel and organisational requirements.
• Assess the team’s competencies and ensure skill bases meet requirements for achieving strategic and service delivery plans.
• Provide leadership, support and supervision to all members of the team.
• Develop Individual Performance and Training Plans for team members and conduct quarterly reviews addressing performance issues as they arise.
• Ensure all Human Resource matters are dealt with in accordance with Council’s policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provide leadership that fosters a holistic organisational approach that encourages collaboration, team building and knowledge sharing not only within the team, but across the organisation.
• Facilitate conflict resolution and team building within the Community Health department.

Service Delivery

• Maintain and improve the health and well-being of the community by ensuring Environmental Health Services are delivered in accordance with the obligations associated with relevant legislation and Council policies.
• Ensure animal control services are actively provided for public safety, prevent animal cruelty matters and promote responsible animal management.
• Ensure Local laws are implemented in a fair and consistent manner, to ensure that community amenity and safety is maintained
• Oversea Council’s Fire Prevention Officer and annual fire hazard identification program.
• Manage Council's Sport and Recreation activities across the Shire.
• Oversee the management of the Council's housing units.
• Manage and actively participate in Council's Environmental Health functions.

General Administration

• Prepare and deliver formal reports to council on technical matters, performance or services relating to the activities of the Community Health Department.
• Maintain links with other service delivery agencies to ensure co-ordination and integration of service delivery and development.
• Aim for consistency of service delivery across the municipality.

Policy Development

• In conjunction with other team members, identify service gaps and unmet needs within the municipality.
• Develop policies and procedures that ensure health and well being in all delegated services and settings and conduct a regular review of these policies.
• Participate in regional networks with other Local Government Authorities and service providers.
• Responsible for the timely planning, development, implementation and review of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Local Law, Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and Sport and Recreation

Strategy.

• Ensure all plans are developed in accordance with Council and Government guidelines.

Financial Management

• With the cooperation of other Community Health staff, prepare annual budgets for areas of responsibility in conjunction with the COO.
• Perform annual reviews of Council Service Level Plans used to inform the budget.
• Monitor and control income and expenditure ensuring that Council resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner.
• Research and apply for grants on behalf of the shire and in partnership with key stakeholders to contribute towards the financing of new projects and plans as directed by the COO and/or CEO.

Customer Service

• To ensure that all services delivered by the Community Health department are customer focused, flexible and responsive to the needs of eligible residents.
• Regularly review the operations of the Community Health department to monitor compliance with contractual agreements.
• Seek customer feedback on the quality of services, record and act upon valid complaints.

Risk and OHS Management / Staff Authority and Responsibility

The following authorities and responsibilities are assigned to the levels of management and staff as shown and are based on those in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

Department Managers

• Foster a top down risk and safety cultural approach from Managers whereby this culture becomes a core value of Council.
• Ensure all appropriate actions are taken to implement Risk / OHS Management policies and procedures and that the organisation complies with OHS Legislation.
• Visually monitor and report risk and safety management issues to the relevant employees, contractor and volunteers to address. Rectify risk and safety issues to make the work site safe. Notify the Safety Officer of the issue for any follow up and recording on the Councils Risk Register
• Monitor risk management performance within your area of responsibility.
• Attend Risk and OHS compliance training as directed.
• Visibly show a pro-active commitment to Risk and OHS Management through participation in formal and informal discussions, workplace visits and hazard inspections, etc.
• Ensure asset related damage, hazard or potential hazards are immediately reported to your manager,
• Be an active member if requested of the Risk and OHS Committee.
• In conjunction with OH&S Officer, investigate and review all incidents / hazards and near miss reports from council employees, contractors, volunteers and the general public. Constructively action and implement control measures. Sign of on the appropriate Incident Notification Report Form and Hazard Identification and / Property Damage Report Forms
• Ensure liaison with employee health and safety representatives, particularly on any workplace changes which have an OHS component.
• Initiate actions to improve Risk and OHS Management within your area of responsibility.
• Visually and actively monitor the workplace/Work site or Contractor to determine presence of hazards and take appropriate action to rectify any hazards found. Notify Management or the Safety Officer if the need arises
• Ensure all employees are inducted prior to commencing employment and that they receive regular training as required.
• Facilitate the rehabilitation of any injured employee.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• At all times, behave in a manner consistent with Council’s Code of Conduct and human resource policies and guidelines (including Bullying / Equal Opportunity / Discrimination / Sexual Harassment policy).
• Ensure compliance to relevant OHS regulatory requirements and implement, promote and maintain Council’s OHS and Return to Work policies, procedures, training programs and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance to relevant regulatory or legislative requirements; including but not limited to Information Privacy and Freedom of Information.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS:

Yarriambiack Shire Council is committed to creating a child safe and child friendly environment where children and young people are respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. All staff must adhere to Council’s Child Safe Policy and procedures and ensure that any reasonable suspicion of abuse to children or young people is reported.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

Yarriambiack Shire Council offers a work environment free from discrimination, sexual or other harassment, victimisation, vilification and bullying. Employees are expected to contribute to the maintenance of such a work environment.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY:

Employees must respect and protect the privacy and confidentiality of information gained or accessed during the course of their employment. Employees are required to comply with the Information Privacy Act, the Health Records Act and Council’s Confidentiality policies.

Both during and after employment with Council, employees must not:

• Communicate confidential or private information to third parties.
• Make use of any information gained through employment at the Shire for any purpose other than the discharge of official duties.

PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION:

Personal and Health Information collected by Council is used for recruitment and if the applicant is successful will be used for Human Resources. The Personal and Health Information will be used solely by Council for this purpose and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required by legislation. The applicant understands that the Personal and Health Information provided is for the above purpose and that he or she may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information after finalisation of the appeals process. Information relating to unsuccessful applicants may be destroyed by Council after 12 months from this time. Requests for access and/or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer.

RECORD KEEPING:

Record keeping responsibilities for all staff members:

• Creating and capturing full and accurate records of Council business.
• Adhering to Council’s Records Management Policies and Procedures.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• As part of Yarriambiack Shire Council’s recruitment and selection process, a pre-employment medical assessment, satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children’s Check (Vic) is required for this position.
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence.