Director, Regional Operations and Infrastructure

About Us

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for leading disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia. The objective of the Department is to ensure that Nova Scotians are safe, prepared and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies. The Department leads the coordination and co-operation of partners and resources during provincial level critical incidents, supports municipal and other partners in regional level and local events, administers the province's 911 service, maintains critical communications infrastructure and supports operations of our regional emergency management centres. The Department also works to ensure critical government services continue to function during and after critical events.

The Regional Operations and Infrastructure Branch enhances the safety and resilience of our Province by:

• Strengthening critical communications infrastructure through the establishment and oversight of the Public Safety Field Communications Agency. The Agency's mission is to create a Centre of Excellence in the delivery of public safety communications, dispatch, and related technologies across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
• Establishing and maintaining Regional Emergency Operations Centres (REOCs) in 6 regions in Nova Scotia. The REOCs provide leadership in building regional emergency operations networks; ensuring collaborative efforts around emergency planning, training and exercising and developing regional plans for equipment and stores to support emergency response
• Coordinating response to regional emergencies
• Strengthening local and regional emergency preparedness through outreach and education to Nova Scotians at community events, schools, organizations, and through information sessions
• Fostering strong collaboration, communication, and emergency management planning with regional partners, including the development and coordination of regional Nova Scotia Guard networks
• Providing information to the Provincial Coordination Centre and the 24/7 Watch Desk staff to ensure real-time situational awareness, coordination, and support during emergencies and actioning critical information received from the Provincial Coordination Centre in the regions

About Our Opportunity

As the Director of Regional Operations and Infrastructure you will lead a division responsible for emergency preparedness and community resilience. The Director will collaborate and build relationships to coordinate and advance initiatives with a wide network of regional partners. You will work with many diverse communities and stakeholders and create a climate of readiness for emergency response and recovery. The role involves overseeing the implementation of the Emergency Management Act, the Emergency Preparedness and NS Guard Act, and associated regulations.

This position is responsible for leadership and management of the six Regional Emergency Operations Centres.

Primary Accountabilities

Using a broad knowledge of policies and programs, and relying on broad and deep relationships across the Emergency Management sector in Nova Scotia, the Director, Regional Operations and Infrastructure, is responsible for providing leadership to the Department of Emergency Management and partners regarding all aspects of supporting the emergency management programs of Municipal Regional Emergency Management Offices (REMOs) and leading/directing the operations and readiness of the Province's Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOCs).

The Director will lead the work of six Regional Emergency Operations Program Managers, and other program staff, to ensure effective disaster resilience, response and recovery, while fostering strong collaboration and communication among and with our regional partners, including the coordination of regional Nova Scotia Guard deployment. The Director works closely with municipalities and NGOs to promote a culture of preparedness and resilience, and they oversee incident management teams and the REOCs during emergencies, ensuring effective response and coordination. They promote and support regional and provincial after-action reviews.

Within the ever-evolving emergency management field, you will lead through change and be willing to adjust quickly, when needed. In this role, you will create an environment that promotes continuous learning and improvement by seeking feedback from your team, colleagues and others while being open to critiques that help to improve outcomes.

As a leader, you will hold your team and yourself to high standards of work, integrity, and thorough analysis. You understand the importance of effective and clear communication whether it is internal to government or out in our communities. You can convey complex issues to decision-makers in a way that enables good dialogue, and you provide sound advice.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing critical emergency management programs and initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with the department's goals and objectives and ensuring consistent delivery across all regional centers.
• Fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, community organizations and private sector/critical infrastructure partners to support collaborative regional emergency management efforts.
• Ensuring each municipality and REMO develops and maintains a comprehensive, effective, and coordinated all-hazards emergency management program.
• Driving the development of a culture of preparedness across the province by supporting program activities.
• Making recommendations on regional training and exercise needs, providing strategic guidance and recommendations for improvement.
• Overseeing the activation of incident management teams and the REOC during emergencies or critical incidents.
• Managing human and financial resources by setting performance targets, fostering a diverse and healthy workplace, and demonstrating leadership in staff development.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will exhibit a commitment to high-quality service delivery, focusing on meeting client needs, and aligning operations with strategic objectives. The candidate must be adept at making critical decisions under pressure, managing high-stress situations, and building strong relationships to achieve organizational goals. Proven experience in leadership, program delivery, and emergency management is essential.

• A diploma in emergency management, public safety, or a related field, with several years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Strong leadership experience, including successfully leading teams (formal or informal), developing talent, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and provide clear, concise briefings and advice.

As the Director, you must demonstrate knowledge and experience in:

• Public safety and/or emergency management, with a deep understanding of operational procedures and crisis response.
• Program leadership (i.e. overseeing a broad set of activities and delivering on strategic outcomes)
• Proven experience in incident management, with the ability to lead and coordinate large-scale emergency operations, ensuring the effective allocation and deployment of assets.
• Practical proven experience in emergency management planning, including hazard/risk assessment, and the development and execution of emergency plans.
• Training in the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Forging strong relationships of trust and collaboration across diverse groups and communities
• Emergency management policies, programs and plans as well as a strong understanding of how the initiatives impact the people, communities, and businesses of the province
• The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills, enabling them to effectively manage complex, multi-stakeholder emergency situations and contribute to the continued success of regional emergency management programs.

Assets Include:

• Specific experience in building community resiliency
• Expertise in public safety communications systems and infrastructure management. Familiarity with Nova Scotia's "Trunked Mobile Radio" system.
• Specific experience in conducting after-action reviews of critical incidents
• Incident Management Team training and/or experience working as part of an incident management team

Leadership competences required at this level of work are:

Decisiveness, strategic orientation, change leadership, team leadership, effective interactive communication, self-awareness and personal impact, partnering and relationship building, and intercultural and diversity proficiency.

We may assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency:

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include:

• 10 years of directly relevant experience in emergency management.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Can expect to be called upon on a 24 hours a day, 7 day a week to support staff managing regional incidents.
• During emergencies, will be required to work extended hours in locations across Nova Scotia.
• Frequent travel throughout the province will be required.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths