Job Category	Inspections and Investigations	Watch Video Profile   Read Video Transcript
Employee	Shawna Drinking Water Supervisor LONDON OFFICE
Ministry	Ministry of Environment
Region	West
City	London

Before I joined the OPS, I … was a front line Public Health Inspector responsible for program management at the local health unit. Prior to that, I worked as a frontline public health inspector responsible for day to day inspections, outbreak response, evaluation of programs and services in high risk facilities and communications with the general public. This was a fun and exciting role; however, I felt the need for new opportunities and development so I looked to the OPS for an opportunity that fit my needs and interests.

I began my career in… the environmental health field in the OPS because I felt I could make a difference in the quality and quantity of people’s healthy lifespan and I saw and appreciated the links between the environment and health. As a result, I saw the field of environmental health as a great way to bring my passions into my vocation.

And now I am … working within the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in the Drinking Water Management Division, where I am able to make those linkages as a manager in the Safe Drinking Water Branch. Here I lead an interdisciplinary team that effectively monitors the operation of the drinking water systems in our geographic area ensuring both that the drinking water supplies are run in a safe and appropriate manner in order to avoid public illness or injury.

A day in my shoes… as a program manager, my job entails a myriad of tasks which vary from day to day. Although, the bulk of my time is spent in the office reviewing reports and supporting inspectors in performing their inspections; ensuring consistency in approach through the development of policies; and helping to overcome any obstacles that may not be in the interest of the public. There are also times when I am in the field responding to emergencies; taking environmental or water samples; providing presentations; or consulting with our external stakeholders. One of the things that I enjoy most about this position is the fact that day to day things vary greatly and I can count on something novel and exciting occurring that will teach me something new or give me a new perspective on an issue. It is critical to be a flexible and adaptive problem solver in this position.

I have chosen to work for the public service because… the objectives of the Ministry I work for fit well with my personal ideas and values - that the protection of health and environment are critical to a healthy, prosperous and vibrant Ontario…the kind of Ontario in which we would all like to live. I am honoured to be able to serve my community in this manner as I believe I can make a difference.

The thing that has surprised me the most about working for the OPS is… the level of support available in order to done one’s job well. For example, there are many areas of knowledge and expertise that are necessary in order to protect the quality and quantity of drinking water in Ontario. As such in the course of performing duties, it may be critical to seek the advice of: engineers, scientists, laboratory staff, toxicologists, lawyers, policy analysts, public health inspectors, etc., as ministry staff, we have access to all of these professionals through the ministry or memorandums of understanding with other agencies, and it is because of these supports that we are able to respond quickly and effectively to community crises or events that place the public at risk, with the appropriate information to the community. In previous positions, this level of specialized assistance was not always available in a timely fashion; this access has made me more effective in my role.

Outside of work, my most memorable achievement is/was... as a volunteer, I work with two organizations, the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors and the Stanier Institute/Institute Stanier. In both positions my main function is the development and dissemination of information to professionals, particularly those practicing environmental health, to ensure ongoing learning and continuing competency. I act as leader in these roles as it relates to ongoing training, continuous development and professionalism and I have documented my thoughts on the importance of continuing education and professional development in several articles which have been published in peer reviewed journals. It is exciting to have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of fellow environmental health professionals in Ontario as well as to advocate on matters that are important to Ontarians.