Manager, Rare and Emerging Disease

Role Responsibilities

Alberta Health is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Manager, Rare and Emerging Disease to lead the development, maintenance, and implementation of public health guidelines, policies, and surveillance processes aimed at the prevention and control of notifiable diseases in Alberta. This position will focus particularly on rare and re-emerging diseases. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing public health response to communicable disease threats and improving disease management strategies at the provincial level.

The job responsibilities include:

• Development & Maintenance: 

Lead the development and ongoing maintenance of provincial public health guidelines, policies, and surveillance processes focused on the prevention and control of notifiable diseases in Alberta.

• Disease Outbreak Coordination: 

Lead and coordinate responses to communicable disease occurrences, including outbreaks, by working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH), Alberta Health staff, Provincial Laboratory (ProvLab), other government ministries, Alberta Health Services (AHS), and external stakeholders.

• Team Leadership: 

Oversee a multidisciplinary team of clinical subject matter experts and policy staff, setting priorities, providing guidance, and fostering collaboration to achieve operational goals.

• New Disease Inclusion: 

Oversee the Alberta Health process to add new notifiable diseases, including policy analysis, recommendations on emerging disease threats, and operationalization under the Public Health Act. Collaborate with teams to develop case definitions, guidelines, and ensure data collection systems are in place.

• Collaboration with Experts: 

Work collaboratively with subject matter experts at the Public Health Agency of Canada to provide Alberta-specific feedback on new nationally notifiable case definitions, disease management guidelines, and communicable disease control strategies.

• Data Monitoring & Evaluation: 

Review, monitor, and evaluate global, national, and provincial disease trends. Provide Alberta-specific recommendations for disease control and public health management based on emerging infectious disease threats.

• Briefing Materials & Correspondence: 

Lead the preparation of ministry correspondence, briefing materials, and reports on communicable disease control, with a focus on rare, emerging, or re-emerging diseases such as polio, mpox, and measles.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Systems Thinking

• Take a holistic, long-term view of challenges and opportunities, anticipating outcomes and considering potential impacts.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align strategies and identify areas for partnership and growth.
• Drive actions and plans in alignment with organizational values and objectives.

Creative Problem Solving

• Collaborate with open teams to generate ideas and tackle complex issues through diverse problem-solving techniques.
• Encourage a culture of creative thinking, allowing team members to contribute and voice their ideas freely.
• Bring the right people together to generate innovative solutions to organizational challenges.

Agility

• Proactively incorporate change into processes and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Maintain composure under pressure and support team members in managing emotions during times of change.
• Clearly communicate the impact of change on roles and responsibilities, and seamlessly integrate innovative approaches into existing workflows.

Drive for Results

• Forecast potential challenges and address obstacles before they arise, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Remove barriers to collaboration, ensuring all teams have the resources and support needed to achieve outcomes.
• Uphold core principles and values while directly confronting problems to maintain progress.

Develop Networks

• Build and nurture impactful relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Understand and represent the diverse needs of diverse groups, ensuring all voices are heard and addressed.
• Go the extra mile to meet stakeholder needs and cultivate trust.

Build Collaborative Environments

• Facilitate broad thinking and problem-solving across functional areas.
• Address conflict proactively and encourage open communication, fostering a positive, collaborative atmosphere.
• Promote team commitment by recognizing the contributions of others and ensuring talent is acknowledged.

Develop Self and Others

• Align personal development goals with career aspirations to drive continuous growth.
• Leverage strengths while striving for stretch goals to push boundaries.
• Provide constructive feedback, support team development, and embrace diversity as a key strength.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in a field related to science, supplemented by four years related experience.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
  1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following experience is required: 

• Experience in communicable disease control, public health, outbreak management, policy development.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Experience with developing and amending legislation and regulations, project management, and communicable disease and immunization data systems.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Current registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA); OR the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) is preferred.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Full-time temporary position for 12 months working 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits 
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs