Karen Larson
Lantzville,BC
Summary
Seasoned Regional Manager of Environmental Public Health. I am highly flexible, have strong initiative, am a proven team player and leader and am respectful of diverse cultures. Am forward-thinking with deep understanding of communities and regional preferences. Decisive and hardworking leader skilled in making proactive, insightful updates to policies and procedures. Prepared to leverage 30 years of progressive public health experience to positively impact operations. .
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Manager Evironmental Public Health Services
First Nation Health Authority
10.2020 - Current
- Regional Manager is responsible for the management , implementation and delivery of a diverse program in the areas of emergency management, drinking water, food systems, and communicable disease control.
- Building developing relationships with leadership across federal, provincial, local governance systems, working with First Nations Health Directors and Managers to ensure that public health is protected.
- Supervised and coached staff to optimize organizational goals and initiatives and productivity.
- Established and maintained operational standards for four offices on Vancouver Island while serving over fifty indigenous communities.
Environmental Public Health Officer
Health Canada and First Nation Health Authority
01.2004 - Current
- Carry out the duties of the environmental public health protection program including planning and implementing environmental health programs in environmental health assessment of housing, food premises, water systems, recreational premises, epidemiological investigations into disease outbreaks, and emergency response
- Assisting First Nations in establishing drinking water safety programs including on-site laboratory testing and quality assurance testing
- Working with communities, Chief and Council, Indigenous Services Canada, CMHC, engineering firms, provincial and local governments and other agencies to ensure compliance with health standards, and consultation and education of the community to maintain a healthy environment
- Representative on Health Authority Food Safety Council to develop policy surrounding food safety establishment including Covid-19 guidelines 2014-present.
Environmental Health Officer
Northern Health Authority and Vancouver Island Health Authority
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the public health protection program
- Duties include inspections of various facilities to ensure compliance with BC Health legislation, apply progressive enforcement as required to obtain compliance, and education of the public on public health concerns.
Regional Environmental Manager
Environment Unit, Indian Affairs Program
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Worked with Yukon First Nations to promote and establish environmental safety programs
- Managed environmental assessment and remediation of contaminated sites under the Environmental Assessment Act
- Planned, managed and implemented training programs in environmental assessment in First Nation Communities.
Occupational and Environmental Health Officer
Health Canada and Yukon Territorial Government
01.1993 - 01.2000
- Performed assessments/inspections and studies on indoor air quality, ambient air quality, food, substandard housing and drinking water
- Carry out the duties of the environmental public health protection program including monitoring inspections of work sites, housing, food premises, water systems, recreational premises, epidemiological investigations into disease outbreaks, and
- Worked with communities, First Nation Leadership, Federal, Territorial and local governments
- Special projects involvement included the Yukon Representative for The Technical Committee for the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (1996-2000)
- Health Representative for Regional Environmental Assessment Review Process for Federal and Territorial Mining and development projects 1994 – 2000
- Establishing a Food Safety Program at Whitehorse General Hospital Utilizing Wild Game.
Education
Master of Science - Environment and Management
Royal Roads University
Victoria, BC01.2007
Bachelor Science - Environmental Management (President Scholar Award)
Royal Roads University
Victoria, BC01.2004
Diploma - Environmental Health (Honors)
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby, BC01.1992
Skills
- Safety Protocols
- Business Recordkeeping
- Community Relations
- Goals and Performance
- Staff Supervision
- Staff Management
- Project Management
- Operational Efficiency and Safety
- Performance Tracking and Evaluations
- Strategic Planning
- Results Delivery
- Federal Regulations
Additional Training
- Justice Institute of BC, 1997 – 2003, Centre for Conflict Resolution, Advanced Law Enforcement and Regulatory Training (Asserting Yourself in Conflict Situations, Negotiating Skills and Alternate Dispute Resolution, Enforcement and Investigative Procedures, Emergency Preparedness - Emergency Operations Centre, Level 1 and 2)
- Health Canada, 1993-2013, Staff Development and Training, Fanshawe Occupational Health and Safety Training; of Dangerous Goods, Air and Road Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Play Ground Safety, WHMIS Trainers' Program
- First Nation Health Authority, 2013-2020, Variety of culture training courses and workshops, Cultural Safety and Humility Training, Canning Train the Trainer
References
Available on request.
Certifications And Memberships
Registered Public Health Inspector, 1994, Certificate of Public Health Inspection, 1993, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors CPHI(C) No. 3881, Councilor, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, BC Branch, 1998 – 2004, Co-founder, Secretary, and Treasurer, Yukon Food Safe, 1996 - 1998, British Columbia Water and Wastewater Association, Member Territorial-Provincial Subcommittee Canadian Guidelines Drinking Water 1996 – 2000, Health Member for Regional Environmental Assessment Review Process for Federal and Territorial Mining and development projects 1994 – 2000, Health Authority Food Safety Council Member and Alternate Member 2015- present
Presentations Publications Workshops
- Larson, K., Master of Science Thesis “The Impact of Air Temperature and Precipitation Change On Water Flows in British Columbia’s North Thompson Watershed”, 2007, Victoria B.C.
- Larson, K., & Magee, L., “Climate Change and Food Systems” Sorrento Gathering, BC Food Systems Network, September 18 – 23, 2003
- Larson, K., & Magee, L. “Sustainable Food Systems”, Northern Environmental Health Officers Educational Conference, February 2003, Prince George, B.C.
- Larson, K., “Food Safety Plan Development”, Prince George Food Operators, and Prince George Food Safety Network February and March 2003, Prince George, B.C.
- Larson, K., “Traditional Foods, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Food Safety In the Whitehorse General Hospital”, Yukon.
Community Service
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line 2013-15
- Loaves And Fishes Food Bank 2013-2019
- Yukon Youth Mentoring 1996 - 2000
- Special Olympics Coach and Volunteer 1984 – 1993
- Arctic Winter Games Volunteer 2000, 1998
- Yukon Child Care Association, Treasurer 1983-1987
Awards
Recipient, President Scholar Award, B.Sc. Environmental Management Royal Roads University October 2004 Graduation with Distinction/Honors, Environmental Health, BCIT, 1993 CIPHI BC Branch Award Environmental Health Award 1991 Recipient, Best University Student Presentation, “The Use of Carbon to Sequester Arsenic from Gold Mining Wastewater Effluent”. Water, Wastewater and Air Pollution Conference Whistler, 1987. Volunteer Award, Yukon Special Olympics 1987
Timeline
Regional Manager Evironmental Public Health Services
First Nation Health Authority
10.2020 - Current
Environmental Public Health Officer
Health Canada and First Nation Health Authority
01.2004 - Current
Environmental Health Officer
Northern Health Authority and Vancouver Island Health Authority
01.2000 - 01.2004
Regional Environmental Manager
Environment Unit, Indian Affairs Program
01.1998 - 01.2000
Occupational and Environmental Health Officer
Health Canada and Yukon Territorial Government
01.1993 - 01.2000
Master of Science - Environment and Management
Royal Roads University
Bachelor Science - Environmental Management (President Scholar Award)
Royal Roads University
Diploma - Environmental Health (Honors)
British Columbia Institute of Technology