As an Environmental Health Officer in the New Zealand Army your primary role will be to ensure the operational efficiency and effectiveness of NZ Army forces by minimisation of personnel wastage through assisting in the reduction of preventable illness and injury during training and operations. You will also provide Environmental Health advice and technical support to Army forces as required.

You would need to be prepared to travel, as operational deployments and training exercises both within New Zealand and overseas could be a part of your career as an Environmental Health Officer with the New Zealand Army.

List of Duties:

• Provision of Environmental Health advice to NZ Army forces as required other associated organisations as required.  This could incorporate any of the following areas:
  • Operational EH planning
  • EH Intelligence development
  • Health threat assessment
  • Occupational Hygiene Assessment
  • Operational HAZMAT
  • Pest management and control processes
  • Waste disposal for military operations
  • Analysis of water quality
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Food safety assessment
• Ensuring that the Environmental Health Section is available to provide directed Environmental Health capabilities in support of NZ Army activities, including the Territorial Force Battalion Groups and other groups as directed on exercises & deployments .
• Identification of measures to minimise Army manpower loss through preventable illness and non-battle injury during operations and training.
• Continuous monitoring of Army Environmental Health standards through inspection of all Army facilities ensuring legislative compliance.
• Provision of Environmental Health training and awareness within the formations.
• Provision of Environmental Health advice and support to Joint Services Health School.
• Responsible for the organising and conducting Environmental Health specialist training for Regular Force and Territorial Force personnel.
• Provision of occupational health advice and support on field exercises and deployments.
• Responsible for the collection and co-ordination of health information and health intelligence on exercises and deployments for reporting to the operational headquarters.
• Providing as necessary Environmental Health expertise to assist in investigations and courts of enquiry that involve incidents of serious harm or death in the formations or on operations
• Preparing and reviewing military and civilian documentation that relates to Environmental Health matters. .

Person Specification:

In addition to meeting the specific duties and responsibilities of the job description, the ideal person is expected to possess the following skills and attributes:

Essential:

• A BEHSc or PostGradEHSc, (older terminology called RSH Dip Pub Hlth Insp).
• At least two years (post graduate) experience in the field of Environmental Health.
• A working knowledge of Environmental Health and Resource Management related legislation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce logical and concise reports.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate effectively with a diverse range of people.
• A high level of initiative and the ability to lead a team.
• An ability to continuously improve systems and processes.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Ability to travel, possibly internationally, and be away from home for long periods of time on occasions.
• Ability to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent computer skills, including word processing, preferably within a Microsoft Office environment.
• Ability to reach and maintain a level of fitness which enables participation in field exercises.
• Hold a current driver's licence.

Desirable:

• Hold further skills or qualifications in the following areas:
  • Industrial hygiene
  • Hazardous materials
  • Food safety
  • Water supplies
  • OSH
  • Vector control
• Skills in training.
• Skills in communicating with large groups of people through presentations.
• Experience in the production of procedural documentation.
• A knowledge of New Zealand Defence Force.

Your Recruiting Officer will require an up to date CV for a pre selection process conducted by senior NZ Army Health professionals, to ascertain your current professional skills and qualifications.

Applicants who successfully complete the pre-selection process will be invited to attend a four-day Officer Selection Board (OSB), an 'assessment centre', convened at Trentham Camp, Upper Hutt, two-three times a year. The purpose of the OSB is to assess your leadership ability and potential along with your suitability to become a Commissioned Officer in the NZ Army. (You are not being assessed on your professional specialist skills during the OSB.)

Your Recruiting Officer will keep you informed throughout the selection process and, if you are selected to attend the OSB, they will provide you with all of the relevant information and organise your travel to and from Trentham.

Applications:

Applicants wishing to apply for a Environmental Health Officer position, are to apply in writing supported by a current curriculum vitae and should be forwarded to your local Recruiting Office.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence and place the applicant under no obligation.