Closes: 05 May 2026
Classification: Specialist Band 1 - 5/Senior Specialist
Salary: $204,936 - $274,696 plus superannuation
Position No: 11744
Directorate: Health and Community Services
Advertised (Gazettal date): 07 April 2026
Contact Officer: Robyn Hudson on ************@act.gov.au or (02) 5124 7***
Details: The Health and Community Services Directorate is seeking an experienced staff specialist in the field of public health, to fulfil the role of the ACT Chief Health Officer, until March 2027.
Come and work in a dynamic team, in one of the most liveable cities in the world. Our work in the ACT Public Service directly serves the needs of the Canberra community. When you work with us you will see the impact that we have on the lives of Canberrans every day.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively across a range of areas in ACT Government, to provide high quality, strategic and technical public health leadership across a range of population health priority areas.
The ACT Chief Health Officer role provides a valuable opportunity to lead population health policy in a small, dynamic and innovative jurisdiction, while also overseeing operational public health services.
The ACT Chief Health Officer provides leadership to the Population Health Division which provides a range of services and programs aimed at improving the health of the ACT population through interventions which promote behaviour changes to reduce susceptibility to illness, alter the ACT environment to promote the health of the population and promote interventions that remove or mitigate population health hazards.
This role will fulfil a range of statutory responsibilities under relevant legislation and will support the health of the ACT population by:
* overall planning, operational control and command of ACT Health resources in response to public health incidents and emergencies including being the authoritative spokesperson on population health matters impacting the ACT community.
* leading the development of population health strategic initiatives in ACT in the key areas of promotion, prevention, and Territory-wide interventions.
* ensuring the community's health is protected and promoted through providing Territory-wide policy and direction for population health activities, population health-related services, and population health research, in accordance with overall ACT Health and ACT Government priorities and objectives.
* co-ordinating health protection and promotion activities on a Territory-wide basis, including implementation and management of key Government funded programs, such as the National Partnership Agreements.
* Improving the health and wellbeing of the people of the ACT through approaches which focus on whole populations, as well as specific vulnerable population groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
* maintaining public health systems and capacity to detect and/or respond to existing and emergent public health risks and disasters, including ensuring ACT Health's preparedness and response capacity.
This position will be required to participate in an afterhours on-call roster.
*Please note that Health and Community Services Directorate is currently undergoing an organisation redesign process, and some functions may shift to other areas of the Directorate as part of this process.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.
Eligibility/ Other Requirements:
* Registered or eligible for unconditional registration as a medical practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Fellowship of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine or of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.
* Prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to be granted their Scope of Clinical Practice through the Medical Dental Appointments Advisory Committee (MDAAC).
* Prior to commencement, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
* Prior to commencement the successful candidate will require Credentialling.
Note: This is a temporary position available immediately until 26 March 2027. A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.
How to Apply:
* Please provide a (maximum) two-page response to the Selection Criteria.
* A current curriculum vitae and contact details for two referees.
Applications should be submitted via the Apply Now Button Below.
Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.
Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.
Health and Community Services
Health and Community Services Directorate was established on the 1 July 2025. This new directorate is an amalgamation of positions previously advertised under ACT Health Directorate and Community Services Directorate.
#LI-DNI
Note
This is a temporary position available immediately until 26 March 2027.