About Us

The Public Health branch at the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) offers opportunities to lead and advance initiatives that protect and promote the health of all Nova Scotians. We work collaboratively across government and with health system and community partners on a range of issues across all six core public health functions. To do this, we need collaborative leaders who see the big picture, embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Nova Scotia is at a pivotal moment in advancing population health, equity, and resilience—and this is a unique opportunity to lead that work at the highest level.

As Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), you will play a vital leadership role in protecting and improving the health and well being of communities across the province. Reporting to the Deputy Minister of Health and Wellness and accountable to the Minister, you will provide trusted, evidence based medical and public health leadership during both routine operations and times of urgency.

This role is ideal for a purpose driven physician leader who is passionate about health promotion, disease prevention, and health protection—and who values collaboration, transparency, and public trust. You will work across government, health system partners, communities, First Nations, and national and international forums to influence policies and actions that shape the social, environmental, and economic determinants of health.

Nova Scotia embraces diversity, inclusion, and respect. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences who are committed to serving the public interest and advancing health equity for all.

What Nova Scotia Offers a Senior Medical Leader:

This role offers a unique opportunity to apply decades of clinical, public health, and leadership experience in a way that is strategic, consequential, and enduring.

• Real influence: Direct access to senior government decision makers and the ability to shape policy, system priorities, and public health direction at a provincial level.
• System wide impact: Authority and visibility across health, public health, emergency preparedness, and intergovernmental partnerships.
• Legacy work: The opportunity to strengthen structures, governance, and approaches that will outlast any single mandate.
• Purpose at scale: Improving population health outcomes for an entire province—not just an organization or program.
  
  

Primary Accountabilities

As Chief Medical Officer of Health, you will:

• Provide strategic and medical leadership for surveillance, population health assessment, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and health protection across the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health Public Health Services.
• Exercise legislated authority under the Health Protection Act, including leadership in the prevention, investigation, and control of communicable diseases, public health emergencies, and environmental or other health hazards.
• Serve as a trusted, independent voice for the public, communicating timely, credible, and evidence based health information to communities, government leaders, and the media.
• Offer a public health perspective on health services and patient care decisions to support system wide integration and population level outcomes.
• Collaborate with provincial departments—including Environment and Climate Change and Agriculture—on issues at the intersection of human, environmental, and food system health.
• Represent Nova Scotia at provincial, national, and federal provincial territorial tables, contributing to policy, standards, and approaches informed by best available evidence.
• Support and advance research, knowledge translation, teaching, and mentoring, helping to build the future of public health practice in Nova Scotia.
• Lead with integrity and sound judgment in complex, high pressure situations, balancing scientific evidence, legislation, and the diverse needs of individuals and communities.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will bring a combination of senior medical expertise, public health leadership experience, and a strong commitment to public service.

Required Qualifications

• Medical degree with eligibility for licensure (or current licensure) with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
• Fellowship or equivalent postgraduate training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, or a related medical specialty with substantial public health experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance, population health assessment, health promotion and disease and injury prevention, emergency preparedness and health protection and health protection, including the principles of risk assessment and management.
• Eligibility for appointment under the Health Protection Act as a Medical Officer of Health.
• Proven ability to provide independent, evidence based medical advice within a legislative, policy, and government decision making framework.
  
  

Experience

• Significant senior level experience in public health practice and health system leadership
• Experience leading or influencing provincial, national, or multi jurisdictional initiatives, including collaboration with government, health system partners, communities, and other sectors.
• Demonstrated leadership during public health emergencies or high risk, time sensitive situations, exercising sound judgement under pressure.
• Experience communicating complex health and scientific information clearly and confidently to diverse audiences, including government officials, the public, and the media.
• Proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships across disciplines, sectors, and communities, including Indigenous and equity seeking populations.
• Experience contributing to research, teaching, mentorship, or knowledge translation in public health or health care environments.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems leadership
• Integrity, professionalism, and sound clinical judgement
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and culturally safe practice
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  
  

Bilingualism (English and French) is considered an asset. We value strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with diverse communities, including equity-deserving and underrepresented groups.

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees

Working Conditions

This senior executive role is primarily office based in Halifax, with regular engagement across the province and periodic travel at the national level. The Chief Medical Officer of Health works in a dynamic and highly visible environment, requiring the ability to manage complex medical, scientific, and policy issues.

The position involves significant mental and decision making demands, including synthesizing complex and evolving information, often under time pressures and heightened public and media scrutiny. The role requires availability outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, and participation in an on call rotation with other provincial Medical Officers of Health.

The CMOH regularly engages with government leaders, health system partners, communities, and the media, and must be comfortable navigating sensitive or controversial issues while maintaining public trust. Travel to represent Nova Scotia at provincial, federal provincial territorial, or scientific meetings is required.

This position offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of population health, with a meaningful impact on the safety, well being, and resilience of communities across Nova Scotia.

Additional Information

Nova Scotia, a picturesque province on Canada’s east coast, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a high quality of life. For more information on Nova Scotia please visit: Plan Your Trip to Nova Scotia | Tourism Nova Scotia or – Immigrate Here (novascotiaimmigration.com)

For information and resources for health professionals interested in working and living in Nova Scotia, please visit: https://morethanmedicine.ca/