Manager Environmental Health Compliance

• Executive Contract / Full-Time Fixed Term
• Salary: $198,988 - $228,988 (inclusive of vehicle allowance) plus Superannuation

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for protecting public and environmental health? We're seeking a strategic and people-focused Manager Environmental Health Compliance to lead the delivery of high-quality compliance, education, monitoring and enforcement programs that safeguard our community and environment.

Reporting to the General Manager City Inspectorate, you will lead a diverse business unit of approximately 44 employees responsible for environmental health compliance operations and recreational water quality. This is an exciting opportunity to drive continuous improvement, foster a high-performing team and make a meaningful impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.

About the team:

Environmental Health Compliance, within the City Inspectorate Branch, is a team of 44 environmental health professionals who are responsible for:

• assessing over 7000 licensed businesses and activities for compliance
• investigating customer requests in relation to:
  • food safety
  • environmental nuisance (noise, air or water pollution)
  • mosquito breeding on private property
  • asbestos in non-workplace settings
  • water quality in natural waterways
  • and many more.

The team are based in offices across the City and liaises with a wide range of Council, State and Federal Government Department personnel, elected members, representatives of both private and community-based organisations, business operators, industry associations, consultants, contractors, legal practitioners, academics, as well as members of the public.

What you'll be responsible for:

• Implement environmental health compliance initiatives that achieve results, subject to consistency with Branch deliverables, approved operating plans, objectives and precedents
• Drive high safety and wellbeing awareness and a culture of care and respect for the work environment.
• Determine whether operational procedures/policies need to be developed or modified, consistent with standards or existing principles, in order to achieve required and optimal results.
• Liaise and partner with external organisations (including government departments) and other executives within the Branch or across the City, to gain participation of a network of stakeholders with differing contributions/varied views, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of environmental health compliance.
• Plan, organise, coordinate and ensure achievement of results, through appropriate management and development of Business Unit human resources and management of the Business Unit budget.
• Provide expert advice, leadership and guidance in the area of environmental health compliance, to Business Unit resources, other specialists and various areas of Council as required.
• Maintain up to date, thorough and comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation (statutory and regulatory requirements), policies and procedures as they relate to the Business Unit.
• Manage and lead environmental health compliance activities in accordance with state legislation, local laws, industry standards and best practise including food surveillance, public health surveillance, accommodation compliance (including asbestos), environmental protection, pollution response and control and recreational water quality.
• Deliver positive public and environmental health outcomes for the benefit of the Gold Coast community regarding policy and legislative advice, licensing and permit approval regulations, enforcement and education services, compliance monitoring, education and promotion.
• Ensure environmental health compliance interests and issues (particularly those of a critical nature) are appropriately addressed while balancing legislative requirements, community expectations and needs and political influences.

About you:

You are an experienced and values-driven leader with a passion for protecting public and environmental health and delivering outstanding community outcomes. You have the ability to lead through complexity, build high-performing teams and foster strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree of Environmental Health or equivalent, coupled with experience and knowledge in environmental health compliance
• Extensive leadership experience in environmental health, regulatory compliance or a related regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing large, multidisciplinary teams, creating a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Strong knowledge of environmental health legislation, regulatory frameworks and contemporary compliance and enforcement practices.
• Experience developing and implementing operational strategies, policies and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry and the community.
• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement, with the ability to balance legislative requirements, community expectations and organisational priorities.
• Proven experience managing budgets, resources and operational performance in a complex environment.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and decision-making skills, particularly when managing sensitive or high-profile issues.

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast’s future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia. We have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

• An attractive vehicle allowance
• Coaching and advice to develop your leadership competencies

• Mental Health training

• Study allowance provisions

• 4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member

• Salary sacrifice provisions including vehicles on novated lease and superannuation

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community.

How to apply:
To submit your application, please click apply now and complete the application form. You will be required to upload your resume and a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes will enable you to be successful in this role. Please note that you may also be asked to provide relevant qualifications, where applicable.

Contact Person: Kirsty Wiik 

Contact Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: Sunday 16th August 11:59pm AEDT  

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

We’re committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture. We take pride in people who align with our high-performance principles. We believe that the diverse makeup of our workforce reflects the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, and encourage candidates to discuss any support or adjustments they may need throughout the recruitment process.