Interior Health·Williams Lake, British Columbia
Manage and deliver consistent, quality, evidence-based health protection programs, services, and strategies to reduce risk and improve health.
Practice according to professional practice standards and code of ethics (Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - BC Branch).
Perform inspectional, regulatory, and enforcement duties for food processing/handling establishments, drinking water supply systems, recreational water facilities, personal service establishments, child care and residential care facilities, and other required facilities.
Investigate complaints and conduct investigations related to public health and environmental control matters; conduct surveys to determine public health hazards; interpret results; monitor corrective actions; advise the public on health risks.
Prepare reports; obtain samples/specimens; submit for testing and analysis; interpret laboratory results; collect evidence of by-law/regulation violations; appear as a witness in court prosecutions.
Respond to emergencies (food, water, vector-borne epidemics, disasters); participate in emergency contingency planning; ensure health standards for emergency food/water supplies, waste disposal, and temporary housing.
Conduct epidemiological investigations for food poisoning and communicable diseases; issue instructions/recommendations; follow up to ensure implementation and compliance.
Assist the Licensing Officer with administration of the Community Care Facilities Act and Adult and Child Care Facilities Regulations; comment on license applications; conduct health assessments; evaluate and document critical hazards and advise corrective actions.
Review and assess plans/proposals for food premises, water supplies, recreation facilities, community care facilities, personal service facilities, and industrial camps; approve/reject permits/licenses; consult and advise applicants on requirements.
Review submissions from government agencies (business license applications, by-laws, leases, pesticide use, waste management applications, subdivision proposals) and recommend issuance/rejection/support/non-support based on environmental health impacts.
Evaluate subdivision and development proposals; assess cumulative effects (including onsite sewage disposal impacts); promote community planning/design to prevent environmental and social threats.
Participate on Local Government committees and provide comments on Official Community Plan, bylaw reviews/amendments, and other land use planning documents; participate in internal/external environmental health committees.
Ensure compliance with health legislation and standards using a progressive enforcement process (education, persuasion, enforcement); issue recommendations, orders, tickets, injunctions, and other enforcement tools as required; interpret and provide advice on legislation/policies/procedures.
Maintain comprehensive records, files, and statistics; prepare ad hoc written reports; ensure integrity of the health protection information system.
Participate in workshops and public meetings; provide training to student Environmental Health Officers and orientation to new staff; maintain inventory of equipment/supplies; attend seminars/in-service workshops/staff meetings; perform other related duties as assigned
Interior Health is looking for an Environmental Health Officer to join our team in Williams Lake on a full time Term basis. This position is expected to last until June 5th 2027.
Employee & Family Assistance Program
Employer paid training/education opportunities
Employer paid vacation
Employer paid insurance premiums
Extended health & dental coverage
Municipal Pension Plan
Work-life balance About the job: In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, including “Less Risk, Better Health”, the Environmental Health Officer is responsible for carrying out the diverse program of Health Protection by:
Managing and delivering consistent, quality, evidence-based programs, services and strategies to reduce risk and improve health.
Practicing in accordance with the standards of professional practice and code of ethics as outlined by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - BC Branch
Accomplishing our mission through utilizing a mandate continuum of advocacy, partnership, health education, risk management, facilitated compliance, and the application of law. Using a variety of professional and technical skills the position promotes and maintains a high standard of public health; enforces applicable health legislation, policies and standards; conducts inspections and risk assessments; identifies factors detrimental to community and environmental health; reduces the incidence of communicable disease and performs technical assessments; provides consultative and education services and ensures that community development does not conflict with a healthy environment. Typical duties and responsibilities:
Provides consultation, education and enforcement and prevents the occurrence of disease, injury and public exposure to health hazards by:
Performing inspectional, regulatory and enforcement duties on various types of food processing and food handling establishments, drinking water supply systems, recreational water facilities, personal service establishments, child care and residential care facilities, and other required facilities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards and best public health practices;
Investigating complaints and undertaking investigations on a variety of public health related issues and environmental control matters; conducting surveys of conditions to determine existing or potential public health hazards; interpreting results; monitoring corrective action or remedies, and advising the public on health risks as necessary;
Bachelor’s Degree in a health-related discipline.
Certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada).
Registered or eligible to be registered with the Board of Registration of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors BC Branch.
Two years’ recent experience as a Public Health Inspector (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
Current valid BC Driver’s License
Preparing reports on investigational and inspectional work performed; obtaining samples and specimens of food, liquid and other materials; submitting for testing and analysis; interpreting laboratory results; collecting evidence of violations of by-laws and regulations; and appearing as a witness in court prosecutions;
Responding to emergencies such as food, water or vector borne epidemics, or disasters; participating in emergency contingency planning, ensuring health standards are maintained in the provision of emergency food and water supplies, waste disposal and temporary housing;
Performing epidemiological investigations for cases of food poisoning and communicable diseases in accordance with established policies and protocols; issuing instructions or recommendations; and following up to ensure implementation and compliance;
Assisting the Licensing Officer in the administration of the Community Care Facilities Act and the Adult and Child Care Facilities Regulations; commenting on new license applications; conducting health assessments of care facilities; evaluating and documenting critical hazards and advising of necessary corrective actions;
Reviewing and assessing plans or proposals for the operation or construction of food premises, water supplies, recreation facilities, community care facilities, personal service facilities, and industrial camps; including approving or rejecting of permits or licenses, and consulting with and advising applicants on relevant requirements;
Reviewing submissions from government agencies such as business license applications, by-laws, leases, pesticide use, waste management applications and subdivision proposals; recommending issuance or rejection of permits, support or non support of approvals or licenses based on the impact to environmental health;
Evaluating subdivision and development proposals referred from approval agencies, and using a lens of an integrated approach to improve human health by creating a healthier built environment, providing a response to determine the cumulative effects of the proposal (including but not limited to the impacts of onsite sewage disposal), and promoting community planning and design which prevents potential environmental and social threats;
Participating on Local Government committees and providing comments on Official Community Plan, Bylaw reviews and amendments and other land use planning documents; and
Participating in internal/external environmental health related committees.
Ensures compliance with Health Legislation and standards by:
Utilizing a progressive enforcement process (Mandate Continuum) that includes education, persuasion and enforcement;
Issuing recommendations, orders, tickets, injunctions and other enforcement tools as required;
Interpreting and providing advice on legislation, policies and procedures; providing guidance to enable compliance with standards and policies.
Other related Duties:
Documenting activities and maintaining comprehensive records, files and statistics; preparing ad hoc written reports and ensuring the integrity of the health protection information system;
Participating in workshops and public meetings on a variety of public health and environmental issues.
Providing training to student Environmental Health Officers and orientation to new staff;
Maintaining an inventory of equipment and supplies and taking responsibility for assigned equipment;
Attending seminars, in-service workshops and staff meetings to maintain knowledge in health issues as required by the employer;
Performing other related duties as assigned or required. Qualfications Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in a health-related discipline; must have a certificate in Public Health Inspection (Canada) and must be registered or eligible to be registered with the Board of Registration of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors BC Branch. Two year’s recent experience as a Public Health Inspector or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current valid BC Driver’s License.
Market context
In British Columbia, environmental health officer roles are often tied to public health, food safety, and community risk prevention, so demand tends to follow public-sector hiring needs and local health authority priorities. These positions are competitive because employers typically require a completed Public Health Inspector practicum plus recognized environmental health education and certification, and the benefits may include vacation, moving support, referral incentives, and employer-paid training. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your practicum, certification status, and eligibility before applying.