The Advisor, Emergency Social Services is responsible for leading and managing resources (budget, equipment, contractors, and materials), for the Regional Emergency Social Services (ESS) Program as well as conduct emergency management planning and operations with primary focus toward ESS activities; design and coordinate After Action Reports; develop, delivery and coordinate ESS training; and coordinate maintenance and readiness of the ESS Team. The primary focus is operational readiness and, during activations, management of reception centers and lodging facilities. Assist with the development and deployment of ESS initiatives relating to operational service agreements, and operational standards. The incumbent will serve as the ESS community outreach liaison with residents, partners, and agencies. The incumbent will be employed in, and provide support to, the Regional Emergency Coordination Centre (RECC) during an activation, normally in the role of ESS Director; however, if needed in any roles as assigned. The incumbent will be responsible for leading ESS initiatives relating to business cases, funding rationale, project management, coordination, plan approval, operational service agreements, and operational standards. Will serve as primary program lead for the Municipality’s Vulnerable Persons Registry (VPR) program which includes receiving, reviewing, and approving online and paper applications, maintaining the online database of registrants and organizing the renewal process. Other duties include organizing and supporting home visits with registrants to provide personalized emergency preparedness plans, producing VPR report during emergencies, identifying the location of vulnerable persons in need of rescue as well as producing post incident administrative and statistical reports.
Primary responsibilities of this position include:
Area management: Assists the Director, Emergency Management with Regional ESS program delivery. Maintains the maintenance and readiness of the ESS Plan and provides support in the event of a disaster or large-scale emergency using the incident command system. Conducts After Action Reviews to identify plan deficiencies and to facilitate the training needs of individuals, municipal departments, and Emergency Management stakeholders. Prepares reports and delivers presentations. As assigned, develops, and delivers Emergency Management training, public education, and awareness programs. Ensures ESS program is developed according to legislation, industry standards, and best practices.
Leadership: Takes a lead role in developing and implementing innovative and practical approaches to ESS program initiatives including training and exercises. During a major incident, performs supervisory tasks for assigned team members. Works with team to plan and balance workload. Ensures teams are managed fairly and consistently and that work process are followed and coordinated to ensue service levels. Mentors, coaches, and provides support to volunteers and staff. Provides the delivery of advice, recommendations, and decision support.
Implementation of Strategies: Maintains ESS readiness and provides expertise and advice during its activation. Maintains and ensures the ESS Plan meets legislative requirements and industry standards. Identifies, coordinates, trains, and educates ESS volunteers, internal RMWB and external stakeholders as required. Ensures the development of exercises that test and evaluate the validity of the ESS Plan. Participates in the continuous research, development, improvement, and implementation of effective ESS program strategies, policies, procedures, tools, and guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, employees, external contacts, indigenous partners, and volunteers. Interacts in a manner that builds trust, credibility, and rapport.
- Negotiation, conflict management, interpersonal, investigation, mediation, and analytical skills.
- High emotional intelligence capacity including the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity, remain calm and neutral in conflict resolution.
- Ability to lead and empower people, strong organizational skills and uses innovative approaches in situations involving rapid change, shifting priorities and/or simultaneous demands.
- Proven ability to work independently, seeking responsibility and demonstrating initiative to make sound decisions, sometimes under stressful conditions.
- Good working knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015), Alberta Emergency Management Act, RMWB Emergency Management Bylaw, Incident Command System, and Emergency Management and Emergency Social Services best practices.
- Advanced public speaking with facilitation, technical and writing skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and balance multiple projects to ensure deadlines are met.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, or related field is required.
- Master’s degree in Social Services, Emergency Management, or Program Development is preferred.
- Certification in Basic Emergency Management (BEM), Incident Command Systems (ICS 100 and 200), Emergency Operations Centre is required.
- ESS certifications in Introduction to Reception Centres, Introduction to Group Lodging, Registration Unit, Baby/Child Unit, Pet Care Unit, and Documentation Unit is required.
- Site Manager Training. Volunteer / Staff Management Training is required.
- Certified or Associate Emergency Manager designation through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), or project management certificate is preferred is considered an asset.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Five (5) years of related experience working in an emergency management environment is required.
- Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years’ recruiting, retaining, managing volunteers.
- Practical experience setting up and managing reception centers and group lodging facilities is considered an asset.
- Developing and maintaining ESS plans is considered an asset.
- Experience designing and delivering Emergency Management training is considered an asset.
- Experience working in an Emergency Operations Centre at any level is considered an asset.
- Experience working in a public-sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees is considered an asset.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to provide a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search for review and acceptance.
- A valid Class Five (5) Operator’s License is required as incumbent will be required to operate a personal or municipal vehicle for business use on a regular basis.
- Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Must be flexible to perform duties after regular hours and on weekends as required.
- May be required to work in unsanitary conditions, therefore, immunizations are strong recommended.
SAFETY:
As an employee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for knowing and working in accordance with the Health and Safety Directive. As per Section 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the incumbent shall ensure, while in the employ of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the public.
This position is not employed in a supervisory capacity. As such, the employee is not required to obtain additional safety training in accordance with municipal procedures and directives.
Requisition ID: 2052
Affiliation: Exempt
Position Type: Permanent Full Time
Number of Openings: 1
Bi-weekly Working Hours: 70 hours bi-weekly
Department/ Branch: Regional Emergency Services, Emergency Management
Job Location: Fort McMurray
Salary Range: Competitive Salary
COLA: Bi-Weekly - $480
Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 13/08/2023
Posting Type: Internal and External
Current employees must apply through the internal Careers site.
We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those individuals
selected for interviews will be contacted. Late applications will not be accepted.
