Director, Emergency Management

Institute of Public Administration of Canada; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 128,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government organization located in Dartmouth is seeking a Director of Emergency Management responsible for providing strategic leadership in emergency management. The ideal candidate will have a university degree, significant public safety experience, and at least three years in a senior role. They will lead the development of emergency management programs and coordinate with various stakeholders. This position offers a salary range of $128,850–$157,480 and is classified as a Non-Union, Level 10 role.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of progressive experience in public safety organizations.
• At least three years in a senior emergency management leadership role.
• Experience managing budgets and coordinating resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of comprehensive emergency management programs.
• Provide senior leadership during emergencies.
• Liaise with municipal departments and emergency services.

Skills

Crisis management

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Public safety knowledge

Education

University degree in Public Administration, Fire Science, or Emergency Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

FDM

Job description

• Closing Date: January 22, 2026
• Location: Dartmouth
• Job ID: 72282629
• Salary Range: $128,850- $157,480

Job Description

Municipalities are the closest level of government to the public and employees take pride in making Halifax the best it can be. A municipal public servant makes a difference in the lives of over 400,000 people in the Halifax region. If you are committed to public service, have a desire to learn, grow, and give back to the community through your work, you may be the right fit for our organization.

About the Opportunity
Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent full‑time position of Director, Emergency Management with Community Safety.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self‑identify on their electronic applications.

As the municipality’s subject matter expert in emergency management, the Director provides strategic advice to the Executive Standing Committee of Regional Council, supports the HRM Emergency Management Planning Committee, and maintains readiness to respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis. The Director ensures that HRM’s emergency management framework is integrated across municipal operations, fostering resilience and effective coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

The Director aligns divisional priorities and leadership with the Municipality’s Strategic Plan and guided by our vision, mission, and values as outlined in the Plan on a Page. Ensures the division’s work supports long‑term Municipal goals, contributes to measurable outcomes, and reinforces a workplace culture where employees understand how their work makes a difference in the region.

Key Responsibilities and Priorities

• Emergency Management Strategy & Program Leadership Develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program for HRM ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, municipal objectives and best practices to enhance organizational resilience.
• Risk Assessment, Mitigation & Preparedness Lead hazard, risk, and vulnerability assessments and oversee the development, review, and continuous improvement of mitigation and preparedness strategies to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
• Emergency Operations & Incident Response Provide senior leadership during emergencies, including activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), coordination of multi‑agency response efforts, and support to the Incident Commander to ensure effective and timely response.
• Governance, Policy & Compliance Develop and oversee policies, procedures, and operational guidelines to ensure consistent, compliant emergency management practices across HRM, including occupational health and safety and legislative compliance.
• Stakeholder & Intergovernmental Coordination Liaise with municipal departments, emergency services, community partners, volunteer organizations, and provincial/federal agencies to ensure integrated planning and coordinated emergency response efforts.
• Public Education & Communications Oversee the development and delivery of public education programs and emergency preparedness materials to enhance community awareness, readiness, and confidence before, during, and after emergencies.
• Financial Management & Resource Oversight Develop, manage, and monitor the Emergency Management Office budget, oversee grant and external funding opportunities, and ensure responsible use of municipal resources with regular reporting to senior leadership.
• People Leadership & Organizational Culture Lead and develop the Emergency Management Office and broader division by setting performance expectations, supporting recruitment and retention, ensuring compliance with HR policies and collective agreements, and fostering an inclusive, respectful, and high‑performing work environment aligned with HRM’s values and competencies.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will hold a university degree in Public Administration, Fire Science, or Emergency Management, supported by extensive emergency management‑specific training such as Emergency Services Management (ESM), Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), and Exercise Design. They will bring 10–15 years of progressive experience working with public safety organizations, including police, fire, and emergency management, with at least three years in a senior emergency management leadership role within a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and crisis management capability, with a proven ability to make sound decisions under pressure and effectively lead teams during emergencies. They will possess strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills, along with in‑depth knowledge of municipal governance, emergency planning legislation, and emergency service agencies. Experience managing staff and volunteers, overseeing budgets, coordinating resources, and working within municipal by‑laws and provincial and federal legislation is essential. A solid understanding of transportation systems, inter‑agency coordination, and the strategic allocation of people and resources will further support success in this role.

Skills and Attributes

• Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Government Act and HRM Charter.
• Knowledge of Windows‑based software applications, specifically Microsoft Office and FDM.
• Thorough knowledge of municipal government, emergency planning legislation and emergency service agencies (Police, Fire, EHS), emergency service providers (GSAR and Amateur Radio) and radio communication systems.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and the coordination of people and resources.
• Valid Driver's License for the Province of Nova Scotia.
• Sound knowledge of outside agencies and private organizations that provide support to HRM in an emergency and for daily emergency preparedness.
• Working knowledge of all appropriate municipal by‑laws and policies as well as applicable federal and provincial legislation and regulations.
• Proficient in the use of modern business technologies and digital tools, with the ability to evaluate and adopt new systems or innovations as needed.

How We Do What We Do

The core competencies needed for success in this role:

• Valuing Diversity – 3
• Organization & Planning – 3
• Decision Making – 3
• Managing Change – 3

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those applicants moving forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and those who require accommodation should discuss their needs with the recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link below:
Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

The position is based at 21 Mount Hope (Eric Spicer) and is classified as a Non-Union, Level 10 | Salary Range: $128,850–$157,480