Health Protection Officer

**Join a team of passionate public health professionals**:

- **Play a critical role in the areas of regulatory compliance, environmental health and disease investigations**

Join Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora at a key time of change where you will meaningfully contribute to our kaupapa of creating a more equitable, accessible, cohesive, and people-centred health system. This is mahi that will improve the health and well-being of everyone in Aotearoa, and we've got an opportunity for you to be part of it.
**Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity**

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, works towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

We have a permanent full-time opportunity available to join our Te Manawa Taki team that provides service across Waikato and Taupō as a **Health Protection Officer.** Health Protection Officers hold responsibility for monitoring, compliance, operational policy implementation and providing evidence-based advice and information that aims to improve, promote and protect the health of our population in the communities we service with a focus on Equity and Hauora Māori. They primarily work in compliance, environmental health, communicable disease surveillance and investigations; and border health protection.

In this role, you'll also be skilled at building relationships within our organization and the broader community, including various agencies and stakeholders. You will also be able to work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders. A good knowledge of and strong links to our Taupō and Turangi communities will be an advantage as this position will be based in the Taupō community.

**Mōu | About you**

You preferably will have previously been designated as a Health Protection Officer by the Ministry of Health and have retained the competencies such that designation could be reinstated on appointment. Applicants with an appropriate undergraduate qualification or a partly completed postgraduate diploma in environmental health science may be considered for appointment as a trainee.

If you're naturally inquisitive and love investigation, you may be a great fit for this role. We need someone who can identify and manage risks to human health effectively. Excellent communication skills are a must, as you'll be working closely with other public health professionals. Paying close attention to details and following procedures accurately are essential skills we're looking for.

**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience**
- A relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in Public Health or Environmental Health
- Capable of undertaking the full range of Health Protection Officer duties or a commitment to achieving competencies within six months of appointment
- Ability to work collaboratively alongside communities and wider stakeholders
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- A clean, valid Full NZ Driver's Licence
- Be a part of an on-call after hours roster and be prepared to respond to any public health emergency

**Ko te mahi e tika ana mō te ao hurihuri nei |Work that suits today's ever - changing world**

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora supports flexible and hybrid working for our kaimahi. In positions that don't require an in-person element, we encourage you to ‘work from where you are.' We want our national teams to be made up of diverse people from across the motu, just like our health system.

**Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion**

Our name, Te Whatu Ora, means ‘the weaving of wellness'. Whatu is the combining together of people, resources, organisations, thoughts and actions for the betterment and wellbeing of all. Whatu is also a direct reference to the pupil of the eye, and the vision required of the new entity and system.

At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora we acknowledge and respect our people's diversity and spiritual needs, ensuring a safe workplace that is a whānau orientated and supportive environment. We are working towards a system that better meets the complex demands of a growing population, addresses the persistent inequalities experienced by Māori and ensures greater access, experience and outcomes for those traditionally not well served by the system - Māori, Pacific and Disabled People.

**Your place in Health New Zealand | Tō tūranga i roto i Te Whatu Ora**

**Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply