Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Investigations, Technical Services and Emergency Response

Ontario Public Service Leadership | Leadership dans la fonction publique de l’Ontario; Midhurst; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Public Service Leadership is seeking an executive to serve as Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Investigations, Technical Services and Emergency Response. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight for fire investigations, forensic engineering and emergency readiness across the province.

You will lead specialized teams, influence public safety policy, and coordinate provincial emergency response capabilities, while promoting an inclusive OPS culture.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in complex public safety or emergency services.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Fire Investigations, Technical Services and Emergency Response across Ontario.
• Oversee provincial emergency preparedness and response programs; maintain operational readiness for complex incidents.
• Advise Fire Marshal and senior ministry on high-profile matters affecting fire safety and emergency response.
• Lead workforce planning, resource management and continuous improvement within the branch.
• Contribute to senior leadership team and promote equity, diversity and accessibility.

Job description

Apply By: Sunday, November 8, 2026 11:59 pm EST

*The salary range associated with this position is currently under review*

Help shape fire safety and emergency response across Ontario.

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is seeking an executive leader to serve as Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Investigations, Technical Services and Emergency Response.

Reporting to the Fire Marshal, this role provides strategic leadership and oversight for Ontario's fire investigations, forensic engineering and technical services programs, as well as specialized emergency preparedness and response capabilities. As a member of the OFM senior leadership team, you will help advance public fire safety across the province through operational excellence, collaborative partnerships, evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to lead highly specialized teams that investigate fires of provincial significance, provide expert technical and forensic services, support the development of public fire safety legislation and regulations, administer statutory fire safety processes, and coordinate emergency response capabilities that assist municipalities and communities throughout Ontario.

The successful incumbent can work out of Toronto or Midhurst with the expectation of occasional travel between both locations.

Click here to learn more about the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM).

A career in the Ontario Public Service is driven by a passion for creating a stronger Ontario.

We foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees have the resources and opportunities they need to be fulfilled and inspired to move Ontario forward.

About the job

Reporting to the Fire Marshal, you will:

• provide strategic leadership and direction for Ontario's Fire Investigations, Technical Services and Emergency Response Branch, ensuring the effective delivery of fire investigations, forensic engineering and technical services programs across the province
• oversee specialized provincial emergency preparedness and response programs, maintaining operational readiness and coordinating provincial response capabilities for complex incidents and emergencies
• provide expert advice and recommendations to the Fire Marshal, senior ministry officials and public safety partners on complex, high-profile and sensitive matters affecting fire safety and emergency response
• lead branch planning, workforce development, resource management and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational excellence and organizational effectiveness
• contribute as a member of the Office of the Fire Marshal's senior leadership team, helping shape strategic priorities and provincial public safety initiatives
• foster an inclusive, high-performing culture that reflects OPS leadership behaviours and a commitment to equity, diversity and accessibility

What you bring to the team

You are a seasoned people leader with proven abilities in:

• positively leading and influencing people while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• creating and sustaining a workplace culture that advances diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, equity and employee wellbeing
• leading and motivating high-performing multidisciplinary teams in highly visible and complex operating environments
• leading transformational change, strategic operational planning, resource management, and complex human resources and labour relations matters

Relationship Management and Political Acuity

You are an effective communicator, negotiator, and consensus builder with proven abilities in:

• building and maintaining productive relationships with senior leaders, municipalities, emergency service organizations, law enforcement agencies and other public safety stakeholders
• navigating complex, sensitive and high-profile issues with sound judgment, political acuity and professionalism
• influencing decision-making and achieving results through collaboration, negotiation and consensus building
• translating complex operational, technical and strategic issues into clear, actionable information for diverse audiences

Job Knowledge

You are an experienced leader in the fire sector with proven knowledge of and experience in:

• providing strategic leadership and oversight of fire investigations, technical services and emergency response programs in a complex operational environment
• applying specialized knowledge of fire protection, fire investigations, technical services and emergency response to advance public safety outcomes
• interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, standards and best practices related to fire protection, fire investigations and public safety
• identifying emerging risks, trends and opportunities and providing strategic advice on complex and sensitive operational issues

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives