Operations Manager, Northern Fire and Protection Program

Ontario Public Service Leadership | Leadership dans la fonction publique de l’Ontario; Northeastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Fire Marshal is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the Northern Fire Protection Program (NFPP) across Northern Ontario. This role drives fire protection services in unincorporated areas, builds community partnerships, and enhances emergency readiness.

You will direct strategic planning, resource management, and program improvement while ensuring safety and compliance under provincial legislation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading public safety programs and teams
• Knowledge of Fire Protection/Prevention Acts preferred
• Ability to manage cross‑ministry partnerships and community relations

Responsibilities

• Lead the Northern Fire Protection Program (NFPP) across Northern Ontario communities.
• Oversee program activities, budgeting, and resource management to ensure effective service delivery.
• Foster partnerships with communities, fire services, and ministry colleagues to meet public safety goals.
• Ensure operational readiness, training, and safety practices across the region.
• Provide strategic direction and accountability for program performance and continuous improvement.

Skills

People Leadership

Coaching and Development

Strategic Leadership

Relationship Building

Communication

Collaboration and Influence

Fire Protection Knowledge

Legislative Knowledge

Program and Sector Knowledge

Decision-Making

Budget Management

Resource Allocation

Job description

Lead Fire Protection Services That Safeguard Northern Ontario Communities.

The Office of the Fire Marshal is seeking its next Operations Manager to help lead one of Ontario's most unique public safety programs. This is an opportunity to provide leadership within the Northern Fire Protection Program (NFPP), supporting the people, services, and partnerships that help protect unincorporated communities across Northern Ontario.

Through its leadership in fire safety, prevention, education, and emergency preparedness, the Office of the Fire Marshal works to help reduce the loss of life and property from fire across the province. As part of this mandate, the Office oversees the NFPP, which delivers fire protection services to communities where municipal fire departments do not exist.

Operating across a vast geographic region, the NFPP helps ensure communities have access to trained personnel, operational resources, and emergency response support when it is needed most. The program supports residents in some of Ontario's most remote and unique service environments, helping communities remain prepared, resilient, and protected.

The impact of this role extends far beyond leading a team. Through your leadership, you will help strengthen a program that protects lives, supports emergency response readiness, and helps ensure residents across Northern Ontario have access to reliable fire protection services when they need them most. While the impact of fire prevention and preparedness is not always visible, the work of the NFPP helps build safer communities, strengthens community resilience, and contributes to a stronger Ontario.

Please Note: This position requires regular onsite attendance five days per week at either the Sudbury or Thunder Bay regional office. Frequent travel throughout Northern Ontario is also required to support fire protection services, build relationships with communities and partners, and oversee program activities across the region.

If you are energized by meaningful leadership, complex operational challenges, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in northern communities, we encourage you to explore this unique leadership opportunity.

About the job

We believe great leadership starts with high standards and strong support. In the OPS, that means showing up with authenticity, acting with integrity, and having the courage to do what's right, even when it's hard.

As a leader, you'll shape a team culture that sparks innovation, supports collaboration, and champions inclusion. You'll help build a workplace that is diverse, anti-racist, and accessible, where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to thrive.

You won't be doing it alone. We invest in our leaders through mentorship, learning opportunities, and cross-ministry networks that help you grow your impact and connect with peers across the organization.

Leadership is about impact, and in this role, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful one. You will:

• Advance fire protection services that help safeguard lives, property, and community well-being across unincorporated areas of Northern Ontario.
• Strengthen the capacity of local fire services by leading a team of professionals who support communities throughout Northern Ontario.
• Champion operational readiness, training, and health and safety practices that help communities receive effective and reliable fire protection services when they need them most.
• Foster collaborative relationships with communities, fire service partners, and ministry colleagues to improve service delivery and support shared public safety goals.
• Guide strategic planning, resource management, and continuous improvement efforts that enhance program effectiveness and support the long-term sustainability of the Northern Fire Protection Program.

Meet your New Team

The Northern Fire Protection Program team is a group of dedicated professionals who care deeply about the communities they serve. Team members bring extensive experience, strong local relationships, and a practical understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges of delivering fire protection services across Northern Ontario.

While the team works across a large geographic area, collaboration is at the heart of how they operate. Team members value open communication, knowledge sharing, and supporting one another to achieve common goals. The team has a strong foundation and a shared commitment to continuous improvement, creating an environment where people can contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact together.

The successful candidate will report to Bryan Burbidge. Bryan is the Deputy Fire Marshal of Field and Advisory Services, known for his people-focused leadership with a commitment to developing strong, high-performing teams. He believes in fostering leadership growth by empowering individuals to build confidence, expand their skills, and reach their full potential. Bryan values collaboration and invests in building meaningful internal and external relationships that strengthen trust, communication, and organizational success. His leadership style promotes autonomy, encouraging team members to take ownership of their work while providing the support they need to succeed. Through this approach, he creates an environment where people feel respected, engaged, and free to grow both professionally and personally.

What you bring to the team

Leadership Skills

• People Leadership: Lead teams by setting clear expectations, supporting employee development, and fostering an engaged and inclusive work environment.
• Coaching and Development: Support employee growth through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and performance conversations that help individuals succeed and contribute to team goals.
• Strategic Leadership: Provide advice and guidance to senior leadership on program priorities, emerging issues, risks, and opportunities to support informed decision-making and program direction.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Relationship Building: Build and maintain effective working relationships with communities, fire service partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to support ongoing collaboration and trust.
• Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively when providing advice, facilitating discussions, delivering presentations, and preparing written materials for a variety of audiences.
• Collaboration and Influence: Bring partners together to advance shared public safety objectives, resolve issues, and support effective service delivery.

Technical Knowledge and Expertise

• Fire Protection Knowledge: Apply knowledge of fire protection services, fire prevention, risk management principles, and operational practices to support program delivery and informed decision-making.
• Legislative Knowledge: Interpret and apply the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and related requirements to support program operations and compliance.
• Program and Sector Knowledge: Apply knowledge of public sector programs, community safety priorities, and the fire service environment to support effective service delivery and continuous improvement.

Judgement and Accountability

• Decision-Making: Assess risks, evaluate options, and make timely operational decisions in complex environments where sound judgment is required.
• Program Improvement: Monitor program performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement practical changes that strengthen service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Accountability: Manage competing priorities, mitigate risks, and deliver results that support program objectives and operational commitments.

Financial and Resource Management

• Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets that support operational requirements and align with program priorities.
• Resource Allocation: Allocate financial, human, and operational resources to support service delivery, operational readiness, and program objectives.
• Financial Stewardship: Monitor expenditures, review financial information, and support informed decision-making through responsible resource management.

Remember

The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 27, 2026 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.