Manager, Children's Health Services

Job Description

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of individuals and communities in Wellington County, Dufferin County and the City of Guelph. With a vision of health and well-being for all, we strive to address the diverse health needs of our population through innovative programs and initiatives, upstream interventions and collaborative partnerships. From immunization campaigns to disease surveillance and community health promotion, our team of dedicated professionals works to ensure the well-being of everyone in our communities.

As a workplace, WDG Public Health offers a dynamic environment where passion for public health meets professional excellence. Employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health outcomes of our communities while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. With ongoing opportunities for professional development, a commitment to work-life balance, competitive compensation and benefits and a strong sense of community within our organization, WDG Public Health is not only a great place to work but also a rewarding place to grow and thrive in your career.

We offer a competitive compensation package including:

• Employer paid benefits, including extended health and dental;

• Defined benefit OMERS Pension Plan with 100% employer matching;

• Paid sick time, Short-Term Disability Plan, and Long-Term Disability Plan;

• 35-hour work week;

• Many opportunities for growth and development, including employer paid courses to obtain

certifications;

• We value work-life balance, as such we pride ourselves on our generous vacation allowance and employee time off.

The Manager, Children's Health Services is responsible for the direction, leadership, comprehensive administrative support and supervision of the programs and staff within the Children's Health Services program. This portfolio primarily focuses on the components related to children's health as indicated in the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS) and the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Protocol.

Knowledge and Scope of Position:

• Ensure all programs meet the standards of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Ontario Public Health Standards. Applies legislation, regulations, protocols and guidelines pertaining to program management and infection control, occupational health and safety, privacy, and health promotion. The manager must exercise independent judgement to problem solve and provide direction to the multidisciplinary team or community partners.

• Demonstrates ability to develop, negotiate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.

• Ensures program practice frameworks are based on current, best or promising practice, and protocols, guidelines outlined in the OHPS.

• Knowledgeable about practice related legislations for relevant professional staff including College of Nurses of Ontario and skills related to working in a unionized environment.

• Knowledge of digital transformation and AI-driven innovations, with experience leveraging digital tools and emerging AI solutions to enhance public health strategy, improve program outcomes, and drive operational efficiency.

Program Planning and Development:

• Develops, monitors and evaluates programs and services.

• Demonstrates critical and strategic thinking; the ability to develop/link multi-year plans with local evidence base and knowledge of regional and provincial directions related to program area within allocated resources.

• Demonstrates the ability to use creative and innovative strategies to support the work related to children's health as indicated in the OPHS and the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Protocol.

• Develops key performance indicators, work plans and budgets in consultation with assigned program staff and the director.

Leadership:

• Provides direction and leadership in integrating the Foundational Standards within community health programs and services ensuring that program decisions are based on evidence, best or promising practice.

• Manages and provides leadership to the team as they plan, implement and evaluate assigned programs and services. Responsible for the day-to-day activities related to assigned program areas.

• Monitors and evaluates the performance of assigned staff through ongoing supervision and formal performance appraisals. Identifies and plans for staffing levels and competencies to meet program needs, within allocated resources. Reviews job descriptions for the selection of staff; participates in the recruitment of qualified individuals for hiring as required.

• Provides on-call coverage per Agency guidelines.

Assessment and Analysis:

• Develops annual operational plans in consultation with assigned program staff, other managers and the division director. Establishes program goals, key performance indicators and outcome measures and outcome indicators, ensures mandates are met.

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Participates in the development and implementation of strategies to operate within the approved budget. Authorizes expenditures and approves invoices for program level spending in accordance with Agency policy for managers.

Partnerships and Collaboration:

• Liaises with external agencies and participates in working groups with various community partners regarding issues relating to children's health/public health programs and services. Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with community partners and incorporates health equity approaches to reduce health disparities, aimed to address the social determinants of health.

• Identifies and prioritizes the need for new community-based programs and services, works with staff and community agencies to implement identified strategies.

• Participates in implementing and evaluating an emergency response plan. In the event of a community-wide emergency, may be assigned to fulfil one of the leadership roles as described in the current Emergency Response Plan.

Communication:

• Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with managers, staff, and members of the other organizations and with the public.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Establishes and maintains open communication with the staff and director on relevant issues and exceptional, or precedent-setting, program issues.

Diversity and Inclusiveness:

• Promotes the attitudes and practices that result in inclusive behaviours, practices, programs and policies. Ensure that programs and services are accessible and culturally responsive to meet the needs of diverse communities, including those historically underserved or marginalized.

• Collaborate with community organizations, families, and advocates from varied backgrounds to co-create initiatives that address health disparities among children.

Policy and Program Implementation:

• Ensures that staff functions in accordance with relevant legislation, established Agency policies, procedures and guidelines. Abides by all employment legislation. Adheres to the collective agreement for union represented employees within their program.

• Ensures that client records are maintained according to established Agency policies and procedures and meet Privacy and the professional standards.

Ethics and Professionalism:

• Ensures that all related practices within the program meet recognized professional standards (e.g. standards of the College of Nurses of Ontario, College of Dietitians, and the Regulated Health Professions Act).

Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Health, Administration or related field.

• 4 to 6 years of experience in front line work preferred.

• 2 to 4 years of experience in clinical supervision of a variety of health care professionals in multiple settings; program planning and evaluation, project management, human resources related issues/direct staff supervision preferred.

Special skills and training:

• Knowledge of behavior change, impact of social determinants of health including mental health and mental illness, trauma-informed practice, adverse childhood experiences and resiliency, substance abuse and trauma on parenting skills and attitudes; data management; population health strategies, health promotion strategic and operational planning.

• Demonstrated experience in addressing health inequities and promoting diversity and inclusion in public health or related fields.

• Experience in providing clinical supervision to a variety of health care professionals.

• Critical thinking, ability to analyze and interpret information.

• Strong communication (verbal, non-verbal, written) and report writing/ presentation skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills. Conflict management and negotiation skills.

• Ability to build consensus, function in a team environment.

• Good knowledge of finance and administration functions.

• Knowledge of program and workplace legislative requirements.

• Knowledge of child growth and development and family functioning is an asset.

Closing Statement:

We thank all applicants, however, only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

WDG Public Health is committed to providing accommodation during the recruitment process for people in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation(s), please advise Human Resources in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. The organization will maintain the confidentiality of information related to an accommodation request and will only disclose this information with the consent of the employee or applicant.

WDG Public Health is an equal opportunity Agency. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used to determine eligibility.