Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To co-ordinate, oversee and assign tasks related to the delivery of the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) Provincial Emergency Operations, including providing leadership, coordination and support to EMO Operations Officers, Duty Officers and other unit staff; and to provide leadership and coordination to the development, implementation and monitoring of emergency management response programs and handling of emergency response issues including the monitoring, analysis, information gathering and coordination of response activities in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC).

Duties / Responsibilities :

Provides leadership, direction, guidance, and expertise to EMO Operations Officers, Duty Officers and other unit staff, coordinating assignments and projects, assigning staff to projects, assigning priorities, and maintaining a duty roster, including a 24/7 schedule for the PEOC Duty Office, and a roster of on-call staff.

Assists the Program Manager in overall program administration; maintaining an overview of unit staff activities, identifying trends/ patterns, advising Program Manager of issues of significant impact; and referring major problems to the Program Manager, preparing activity reports and collecting other data requirements and trends.

This position is in the Emergency Management Operations section of EMO. Incumbents are to provide advice, assistance, and coordination of the activities of the PEOC including response to emergencies, hazard and risk analysis, information gathering and analysis, and the leadership of projects to ensure the continued readiness of the PEOC. During emergencies and exercises, incumbents are assigned to functional response teams within the structure of the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, typically in a leadership and/or liaison role. 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 and/or Leads a Team (e.g. Operations Section, Planning Section, Logistics Section, etc.) during emergencies providing contact/ liaison/support for communities, Ministries, industry and government and nongovernment 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. Leads 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, unincorporated 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 in, controlling and evaluating exercises, including specialty exercises for/with various stakeholders including municipalities, First Nations, ministries, the federal government, and NGOs;
8. Serve as a staff officer in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre as needed during emergencies and exercises to coordinate provincial emergency response efforts and/or to support/advise/assist government ministries, municipalities, First Nations communities, and/or other organizations, typically in a leadership position.
9. Position requires working extended and irregular hours, including periods of on-call or standby work, with minimal or no notice, particularly during emergencies and exercises; there may be requirements for extended travel (sometimes on short notice due to emergency situations), mainly within Ontario, but also within North America.

Staffing and Licensing :

Provincial security clearances.
Valid Ontario class G driver's licence, or equivalent.
Required to wear a uniform, and personal protective equipment (as required), in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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, to write/develop incident action plans, to develop and present effective training and educational materials.

Job requires a strong working knowledge of the Ontario Incident Management System (IMS), including the ability to complete up to and including the Ontario IMS-300 training course. This knowledge must also include the ability to fulfill the role of Section Chief within an IMS response structure.

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. Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance program, Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program, Partnership towards Safer Communities, National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS), Emergency Medical Assessment Team (EMAT), Urban Search & Rescue (USAR), and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives (CBRNE) teams, Ontario Critical Infrastructure Assurance Program to implement and administer programs, to advise stakeholders and organizations (e.g. Red Cross, Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) etc.).

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 and/or lead 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 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, PowerPoint, Excel), 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 and programs (e.g. search and rescue, NGOs, emergency management volunteer programs, etc) to develop Plans and procedures, to provide advice that is consistent with their operations and reporting structure, and to provide advice about the involvement of those organizations in projects, or emergency response.

Job requires the ability to collect, collate and analyse information from different sources in order to inform emergency response tools, including threat and risk assessments, incident action plans, information notes, decision notes and other information products.

Job requires knowledge of Ontario Public Service policies and procedures including Respectful Workplace Policy, Vehicle Use, Travel, Meals and Hospitality Directive, etc.

Job requires knowledge of supervisory techniques, communication skills, operational planning skills, budgeting skills and evaluation skills to provide leadership and guidance to staff.

Job requires knowledge of labour, safety and environmental legislation to ensure safe working conditions are applied and public safety is maintained.

Job requires leadership skills to lead a multi-facet team during an emergency in order to lead personnel and coordinate response activities.

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 lead 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 regarding emergencies, in training, and in providing advice regarding programs.

Job requires tact and diplomacy to advise regarding emergency management options and facilitate issues resolution.

Job requires written communications skills to write incident action 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, judgement 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 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 for themselves and for their team.

Job requires effective leadership skills to advise appropriate stakeholders (e.g. communities, ministries, emergency organizations) in an emergency, and to lead and advise members of their team to analyse and provide advice and assistance during stressful situations.

Job requires the ability to assess staff performance, assess complaints and recommend training and developmental needs.

Job requires to review notes and logs and to identify trends and patterns requiring further action.

Team Lead position is responsible to analyse operational and corporate planning issues and needs, best use of staffing and resources to meet operational needs and develop plans to meet requirements.

Team Lead is responsible for identifying issues and problems, providing solutions to the Program Manager, e.g.; staffing shortages to provide service during emergencies, identifying safety issues effecting public safety etc.

Responsible to develop and implement training for new unit staff and augmentees, in order to adequately meet the operational needs of the positions, particularly during emergencies.

The position requires superior written and oral skills to convey legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines to EMO staff or personnel from other agencies.

Oral communication and interpersonal skills to promote and encourage support during emergencies to ensure the well-being of team members and stakeholders.

Written communication skills to record and maintain chronological records of incidents and emergencies.

Oral communication and presentation skills to deliver lectures, seminars and attend meetings with stakeholders.

Freedom of Action :

Team Leads work independently with minimal supervision under the Program Manager of the unit and within relevant legislation and within policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the emergency management profession.

Team Leads are considered experts in their field, and 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 the Program Manager.

Position consults Program Manager 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 guidance, 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.