Manager, Emergency Management

Requisition ID: 39976 

Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
This senior professional management role within the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency (VEMA) is pivotal for overseeing the development and operations of strategic emergency management programs that align with Council and City Leadership Team priorities. Reporting to the Director, VEMA, the Manager in oversees the Operational Readiness portfolio, including the City’s emergency planning, training & exercises, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) readiness, response infrastructure and asset management, and other critical emergency management portfolios.

Tasked with leading a team of staff and collaborating with senior managers and other staff across the organization, the Manager plays a crucial role in creating, maintaining, and enhancing the City’s Emergency Management Plan, associated guidelines, and procedures, assuming leadership and advisory roles in the Emergency Operations Centre when activated. Additionally, the position entails providing strategic emergency management advice to departments.

This role will represent the City in various national, provincial, or regional inter-agency working groups and committees, and will work closely with various external organizations including Emergency Management BC, provincial ministries, local First Nations, Vancouver Coastal Health, Port Metro Vancouver, Red Cross, major utilities, critical infrastructure owners, businesses, business associations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the Director, VEMA, in the evaluation, creation, and delivery of the City’s Emergency Management Program and associated action plans in alignment with the City’s disaster risk reduction framework.
• Oversees the Operational Readiness portfolio of programs, projects, and other initiatives within the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency, directly supervising a small team of staff.
• Reviews and updates plans and programs to reflect best practices and current information.
• Takes the lead on assigned strategic portfolios.
• Provides expertise and guidance to the City’s Emergency Management Committee and workgroups.
• Creates policies and procedures in support of the City’s Emergency Plan, Emergency Operations Centre, and City-wide emergency response framework, including outlining how staff and departments will communicate and coordinate during emergencies and disasters.
• Participates in City-wide hazard risk assessments and integrated response planning.
• Assumes leadership role in the EOC during emergency and special event activations and exercises, including acting as EOC Director, EOC Planning Chief, EOC Operations Chief, or senior EOC Advisors.
• Supports VEMA Duty Officers, some on-call coverage may be required.
• Develops and maintains emergency planning and response agreements and relationships with external partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
• Develops and delivers emergency management workshops and training exercises for senior management, elected officials, and City staff, including CLT tabletop exercises.
• Represents VEMA on various regional working groups (e.g. REPC, IPREM) and external boards.
• Develops and delivers presentations for external partners related to the City’s emergency management program; prepares presentations for delivery by the Director, VEMA.
• Supports emergency response in other municipalities as requested by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness or through mutual aid agreements or request from other local authorities.
• Prepares recommendations and business cases for new emergency management initiatives.
• Oversees City-wide after action reports and the implementation of recommended actions to continuously improve emergency management programs and activities.
• Responsible for attracting, hiring, developing and retaining staff; provides ongoing direction, support, mentoring, performance and attendance management. Responsible for assigning work, setting goals and standards, handles disciplinary matters as required and participates in the grievance process. Authorizes vacation, overtime and other leaves.
• Responsible for tracking and reporting on metrics within assigned portfolio.
• Responsible for developing a tracking budget within assigned portfolio.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned. 

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• University degree (Master’s level preferred) with a focus on emergency management or related discipline and a minimum of six years of direct experience in the field of emergency management or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required.
• Experience hiring, managing, and coaching staff preferably within a unionized environment, including conducting performance reviews and addressing attendance management and performance issues.
• Emergency response experience, preferably within an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of emergency management information systems, communication tools, audio/visual and related technology.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software at an intermediate or advanced level, including: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio, and the ability to learn new computer systems quickly with minimal instruction.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Ability to collect and analyze data to determine solutions, support decisions and proposals.
• Experience in effectively communicating goals, policies, and training material within and between complex multi-stakeholder groups.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels in the organization, external clients, and business contacts.
• Excellent problem solving and decision making skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with staff, partner agencies, volunteers and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels in the organization, and with external clients and business contacts.
• Strong facilitation and engagement skills.
• Ability to convey scientific information to a non-scientific audience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to thrive under pressure, handle multiple tasks, and changing priorities within tight timeline and frequent interruptions.

Driver’s License and Record Checks:

• A valid BC Class 5 or above Driver's Licence with a satisfactory driving record is required for this position.
• An Enhanced Reliability Police Record Check is a requirement of this position. A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Chief Safety Officer (1090) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: February 2024 

Position End Date: December 2026 

Salary Information: Salary Range RNG-101: $113,839 to $142,289 per annum

Application Close: December 8, 2023

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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