Full Time Manager of Emergency Measures

Job Posting #92-25EC

Manager of Emergency Management

Posting Date: April 25, 2025

The County of Elgin has an exciting career opportunity for a Permanent Full-time Manager of Emergency Management.

Summary Of Position

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Manager of Emergency Management is responsible for the overall operation of the Emergency Management Department. Responsible for the creation, development, planning, implementation, evaluation, maintenance and improvement of a robust and comprehensive emergency management and business continuity program for the organization. Provides oversight of all activities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency events at a system and corporate level. In addition, delivers the governance, planning, and training that support business continuity and enable the County of Elgin to effectively mobilize and deploy its resources before, during and following emergencies in order to mitigate the safety, reliability, and financial-related risks that may materialize.

This position includes the development, administration and delivery of the Elgin-Middlesex Regional Fire School and Community Emergency Management Program for the County and participating Local Municipal Partners (LMPs) (those with shared service agreements), and together with the CAO, provides oversight of Elgin-St. Thomas Emergency Medical Services contract. The Manager of Emergency Management is designated as the County’s Fire Training Officer and Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC).

Provides departmental leadership to the full-time Administrative Assistant and the full-time Emergency Management Program Coordinator and full-time Fire Training Coordinator. Requirement to work outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to facilitate training and attend to emergencies, etc.

Key Responsibilities

Fire Training Program

• Responsible for administering and coordinating mandatory training and education programs under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provincial requirements for municipal fire service personnel (including volunteer firefighters and special teams) for participating LMPs. This includes the development, coordination, delivery and evaluation of fire training and education programs.
• Supervises the Regional Fire School, as authorized by the Ontario Fire Marshall.
• Meets regularly with the LMP Fire Chiefs and/or local volunteer training officers to co-ordinate and plan the development of required training and education programs.
• Act as the alternative CEMC for the Local municipal partners.
• Assists local fire services with development of individualized annual training plans to be delivered locally by qualified instructors.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of training and educational programs in conjunction with LMP Fire Chiefs and/or local volunteer training officers.
• Prepares and manages budget associated with training and education of fire service personnel.
• Receives and/or maintains accurate training records on all fire service personnel, including records of special teams.
• Provides regular training status updates, including compliance and re-certification status.
• Ensures that certification and re-certification protocols and processes are maintained in accordance with the proper testing/authorizing agency.
• Supports LMP Fire Chiefs by identifying issues, needs, resources, and opportunities for fire service training across the County. Undertakes research, analysis and gathers information about legislation, technology advancements, best practices and community needs and trends as required.
• Acts as a resource for local Fire Chiefs and provides leadership, support and expertise in fire training; and provides ongoing education to County and local municipal staff regarding fire service, as required.
• Coordinates training audits for facilities, programs and services and makes recommendations to local municipal partners for training supports.
• Ensures compliance with fire safety legislation, regulations and standards, as well as corporate policies and procedures for the County and its LMPs.
• Functions as the Alternate Fire Warden in emergency situations.
• Attends County Council, Committee and LMP Council meetings as required
  
  

Community Emergency Management Program

• Develops the organization’s emergency management and business continuity program. In consultation with all County departments and service areas, validates that emergency management and business continuity plans are developed for all identified hazards within the organization.
• Plans to be developed in accordance with industry best practices and pursuant to relevant regulations set forth by the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.9 any and all other applicable federal, provincial, and/or municipal laws.
• Ensures that all plans have been developed to respond to hazards in a timely manner to mitigate public health and safety risks.
• Manages the implementation and continuous improvement of the emergency management and business continuity program.
• Develops and conducts appropriate exercises to assess the sustained state of readiness of all resources and agencies.
• Continually seeks to improve the effectiveness of the program on an ongoing basis through the use of both internal and external reviews and assessment.
• In the event of a crises or emergency event, coordinates with relevant personnel and agencies to execute upon the previously-developed emergency management and business continuity plans.
• Champions emergency management and business continuity across the organization by providing recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team that mitigate the corporation’s risk exposure and improves response capabilities and effectiveness.
• Regularly reviews, maintains and updates an Emergency Program for the County of Elgin, and participating LMPs.
• Ensures appropriate Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is in place at the County Administration Building, and participating LMPs.
• Ensures that the County and participating LMPs are within compliance with Emergency Management and the Annual compliance checklist, developed from the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
• Co-ordinates annual exercises to evaluate the County’s Emergency Response Plan, and participating LMPs.
• Conducts an annual review of the County’s and participating LMPs’ Emergency Management Plans with the program committee.
• Successfully completes all training as required by Emergency Management Ontario and maintains familiarity at all times with current standards and legislated community accountabilities, ensuring that senior management and elected officials are kept aware of any changes.
• Conducts a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment process for the County and liaises with LMPs in this process.
• Hosts regular meetings with the CEMC’s within Elgin County to co-ordinate and streamline emergency management across the County, and participating LMPs.
• Coordinates annual training for the members of the County Control Group and Emergency Operations Centre staff, and participating LMPs.
• Maintains familiarity at all times with current standards, legislated community accountabilities and industry best practices.
• Assesses and advises senior management (County and participating LMPs) on need for coordination with agencies, departments, and committees pertaining to Emergency Management.
• Establishes and maintains adequate files, records, and correspondence relating to Emergency Management.
• Establishes an Emergency Management Program Committee (EMPC) for Elgin County and participating LMPs, and holds regular meetings.
• Together with the Chief Administrative Officer, provides support to the County’s Emergency Medical Services contract, including coordination, budget preparation, and contract negotiation.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education with a focus in Public Administration, Emergency Management, Business Continuity, Adult Education, or related discipline.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have completed: Training Officer Certification from the Ontario Fire College or Fire Instructor NFPA 1041 Level II; Certified Fire Fighter NFPA 1001 Level II and Fire Officer NFPA 1021 Level II or Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) equivalency; Safety Officer NFPA 1521 or OFMEM equivalency.
• Certified Emergency Manager Designation is an asset.
• Completion of Basic Emergency Management (BEM), IMS 100 – 300, IMS 250; Certification as an Instructor is an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of the interdependencies across stakeholder agencies including, but not limited to, County Council, lower-tier municipalities, Elgin Ontario Provincial Police, Aylmer Police Services, Elgin County Fire Services, etc.
• Knowledge of the concepts, principals and strategies associated with emergency preparedness and business continuity plans.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and communicate effectively both orally and in writing at all organizational levels and with external stakeholders, such as emergency responders, County and LMP elected officials, staff, government and support agencies.
• High level analytical, process re-engineering, and project management skills.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills, particularly in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, OHSHA, TDG, HAZMAT, and other related legislation.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in Fire Service training.
• Minimum of three (3) years work experience in leading a municipal emergency management program.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with developing and managing capital and operating budgets.
• Demonstrated participatory and collaborative leadership style, experience team builder, and highly developed organizational skills.
  
  

Remuneration: $114,075.84 to $133,452.77 plus benefit package & OMERS Pension plan

Effective: ASAP

Application Deadline: Friday May 9, 2025, at 4:30 p.m

To be considered for this opportunity, complete the online application https://www.elgincounty.ca/careers/

Personal information for this position is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, as amended. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The County of Elgin is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.