Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide leadership, coordination and support to communities and Ministries in the development, implementation and monitoring of emergency management programs and handling of emergency management issues including prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

Duties / Responsibilities :

This position is located in the section of Program Delivery within EMO. Incumbents are to provide advice, assistance, and support to municipalities and Ministries in regards to meeting and maintaining the requirements of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Regulation 380/04. During emergencies and exercises, incumbents are assigned to functional Response Teams. Incumbents may have the opportunity to rotate within the various teams within operational considerations. This position achieves these purposes by:

1. Providing advice, options and recommendations regarding response to potential and declared municipal/provincial emergencies including monitoring events/incidents; assessing level of emergency; ensuring the notification of appropriate Federal, Provincial, Municipal, agencies and organizations and facilities, providing advice to Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) representatives, speaking to the media as required, coordinating resources and Provincial response;

2. Providing emergency management assistance/advice regarding; training; exercises, education; legislation, program, policy, procedure interpretation; funding assessments, evaluations and program administration; hazard identification and risk assessment; identification of critical infrastructure; identification of the roles and responsibilities of various parties; assessments of the consequences and implications of the emergency; identification of resource contacts and identification of the impacts or potential impacts on other communities, environment , Ministries and/or industry on emergency preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery matters;

3. Participates on a Team (e.g. Operations Group, Planning Group, Logistics Group, Community Assistance Team, Provincial Emergency Response Team) during emergencies providing contact/ liaison/support for communities, Ministries, industry and government and non-government emergency management organizations for a wide variety of emergency/potential emergency situations (e.g. flood, fire, chemical spill, train derailment, tornado, terrorism, nuclear incidents, health emergencies, etc.);

4. Participates in complex, specialized group projects under the leadership of Program Manager. Undertakes special projects and/or research and analysis (e.g. research re other jurisdiction's processes, functions and procedures such as mitigation measures, incident management systems) and prepares reports and recommendations;

5. Providing input into the development/revision of legislation, regulations, policies, Plans, procedures, standards, guidelines and best practices including conducting background research on other jurisdictions issues management protocol (e.g. emergency social services, unorganized communities;

6. Researching and/or preparing logs, reports, correspondence, briefing and issue notes, presentations; developing and presenting training and public education materials and programs to various stakeholders including municipalities, First Nations, Ministries, industry and NGOs;

7. Developing, participating, controlling and evaluating exercises, including specialty exercises and full field exercises for/with various stakeholders including municipalities, First Nations, Ministries, and NGOs;

8. Serve as a staff officer in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre or on field deployment as needed during emergencies and exercises in order to coordinate provincial emergency response efforts and/or to support/advise/assist government ministries, municipalities, First nations, and/or other organizations. Therefore, position may also require working extended and irregular hours and/or shifts with minimal or no notice, particularly during emergencies and exercises; there will be requirements for extended travel (sometimes on short notice due to emergency situations and coverage), mainly within Ontario, but also within North America for teaching and working groups.

Staffing and Licensing :

Position requires provincial security clearance and background check and may require federal security clearance. Incumbent will be required to wear a uniform to perform duties, and may be required to wear and use protective equipment in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Position requires valid driver's license in order to access emergency, exercise and training sites not accessible by public transportation.

Knowledge :

Job requires working knowledge of emergency management theories, research, issues and trends (e.g. Incident Management systems etc.) to assist, advise: communities, senior management, other emergency stakeholders regarding specific responses to emergencies (e.g. set up emergency operations centres and community control groups, advise regarding evacuation actions), to write/develop emergency plans, to develop and present effective training and educational materials;

Job requires working knowledge of federal, provincial, municipal legislation (e.g. Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act and Regulations, Emergency Act, Emergency Preparedness Act, , Municipal Act, Police Services Act, Health Promotion & Protection Act, Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Nuclear Safety and Control Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.) to provide assistance, interpretation, contact information, training, education, and exercises to communities and Ministries; to identify jurisdiction, responsibility (e.g. Federal, Provincial, Municipal) and to advise the government regarding possible courses of action and potential risks;

Job requires working knowledge of programs (e.g. Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program, Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP), Partnership towards Safer Communities, National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS), Emergency Medical Assessment Team (EMAT), Heavy Urban Search & Rescue (HUSAR), and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives Team (CBRNE), Ontario Critical Infrastructure Assurance Program to implement and administer programs, to advise stakeholders and review and evaluate proposals and organizations (e.g. Red Cross, Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) etc.) and to ensure compatibility/adequacy of emergency plans, training, and exercise.

Job requires knowledge of EMO goals, directions, priorities, and emergency management plans, procedures, policies, standards (e.g. Provincial. Emergency Response Plan, Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan, Provincial Terrorism Consequence Management Plans, Ontario Mass Evacuation Plan, etc) to advise regarding response, resources available, responsibilities; to participate in group projects, undertake projects and/or research (e.g. policies, processes, procedures of other jurisdictions) to develop, revise Plans, procedures and to provide training and public education;

Job requires knowledge of communities, their risks and hazards (e.g. natural, technological and human caused hazards including chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological hazards) to identify needs and implications, to provide appropriate and timely advice and to assist in the development of Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA), Community Risk Profile (CRP), emergency plans, etc.;

Job requires knowledge of adult education practices, presentation techniques and national standards to develop, test and deliver effective training and education programs;

Job requires knowledge of technology including computer software programs (e.g. word processing, Power Point, Access), Internet and audiovisual, telecommunications and radio equipment and Geographic Information System (GIS) for use in responses and exercises; to prepare, deliver presentations;

Job requires knowledge of other emergency management organizations (e.g. ambulance service, Ministry of Environment, Spills Action Centre, etc) to develop Plans and procedures, to provide advice that is consistent with their operations and reporting structure, and to act as a liaison between these organizations and municipalities;

Job requires knowledge of Ontario Public Service policies and procedures including Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Vehicle Use, No Smoking Policy, Travel and Expense reporting policy etc.

Skills :

Job requires interpersonal skills to co-ordinate, work, liaise with/advise a variety of staff at various levels and volunteers in public and private emergency related organizations, industry and the public on a daily basis as well as in emergency/stressful situations and to participate effectively in-group projects;

Job requires cultural sensitivity skills to relate effectively with contacts from diverse cultural backgrounds, including First Nations, in obtaining information and advising re emergencies, in training and in providing advice regarding funding, programs etc;

Job requires tact and diplomacy to advise regarding emergency -management options and facilitate issue resolution within communities (e.g. to declare or not declare emergency);

Job requires written communication skills to write Plans, procedures, policies, correspondence, briefing notes, training programs, event plans, media documents and public education documents;

Job requires analytical skills in emergency situations to quickly assess potential, developing or actual emergencies and provide appropriate advice, options, recommendations; to identify gaps in responses and provide appropriate options; to anticipate possible impacts and future needs; to use knowledge, judgment and common sense to provide advice in emergency situations and to accurately communicate relevant information to other responders and superiors; Job also requires analytical skills to assess and evaluate proposals; to analyze emergency exercises and previous emergencies; to carry out hazard identification; to analyze and adapt National training standards; to assess interconnections and impacts between organizations with different mandates and responsibilities and to assess research findings and applications;

Job requires adult education, planning and organizational skills to develop and deliver courses, to participate in/carry out special projects; and research skills to, prepare reports, consider other models, options, assess risk, identify hazards;

Job requires consultation and communication skills to lead/facilitate stakeholder meetings; participate in public meetings, and address stakeholder and community issues/needs;

Job requires organizational skills to effectively plan and schedule activities; and

Job requires effective leadership skills to advise appropriate stakeholders (e.g. communities, Ministries, emergency organizations) in an emergency.

Freedom of Action :

Field Officers work independently with minimal supervision under the Deputy Chief and Program Manager of the section and within relevant legislation and within policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the emergency management profession.

Field Officers are considered knowledgeable in their field and superiors provide objectives, timelines, general direction and guidance including policy interpretations. In emergency situations, incumbent may have to make on the spot decisions/take immediate action without prior consultation due to the nature of the emergency. Work is assessed and reviewed for meeting goals, objectives and timelines by Deputy Chief and/or Program Manager.

Position consults superior for priority identification, to provide status updates and to advise regarding conflicts and/or political/financial issues.

Failure to provide advice or provision of inappropriate/incorrect advice could negatively affect emergency decisions, which could impact public safety, security and the environment; could result in inappropriate, ineffective communications, which could have political consequences and could result in unnecessary financial expenditure. Development of inappropriate guides, models for communities, Ministries etc. could lead to failure to identify potential hazards and failure to implement appropriate mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures; inappropriate responses or preparation which could have long and short term impacts and would impact credibility of EMO, the ministry and government.