Community Services Commissioner's Office

This position currently falls within our hybrid model, allowing the employee to typically work a minimum of 50% of your time at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

Approximate Duration: 12 months

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontario or email related questions to [email protected]. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email [email protected]

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don’t have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director Community Strategy, the Business Continuity and Emergency Response Specialist is responsible for providing coordination and support to inform departmental emergency response planning and implementation, pandemic planning, business continuity and policy development and review. Facilitate the response to emergency needs for Community Services.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Emergency Management or other related studies; Public Administration, Public Policy, Sociology, Health, or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a human services environment working with various community partners
• Minimum 3 years of emergency management experience preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience with project management techniques/tools/software
• Knowledge of emergency management practices and policy, knowledge of pandemic planning, and business continuity practices
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a range of invested parties
• Possess strong facilitation and presentation skills; and, be able to translate knowledge to a wide range of audiences
• Outstanding oral/written communication skills, advanced analytical and problem solving skills
• Proficiency in all MS office applications (Visio, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
• Possess knowledge of public administration skills; including evaluation and policy analysis

Responsibilities

Responsible for the coordination, development and evaluation of a Community Services department emergency social services response plan, ensuring readiness and response should an emergency be declared (30%)

• Ensures a knowledgeable and skilled Emergency Social Service response team of staff from across the department is established
• Ensures the Community Services Emergency Response plan is reviewed and revised on an annual basis
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with all Emergency Response agencies (e.g. Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, SPCA’s, Local Area Municipalities, and other agencies as required.
• Monitors and asses emerging trends, issues, information sharing activities and makes recommendations on modifications/opportunities.
• Supports the coordination of emergency management training and delivery of exercises
• Develops emergency/crisis management policies, systems, processes, activities, and guidelines

Consults on and implements key departmental initiatives aligned with Community Services’ strategic direction, provincial ministry priorities (30%)

• Investigates best practices and research to inform planning, conceptualization, scope of work to achieve project goals;
• Uses project management practices to implement strategic initiatives; prepares project tools, templates;
• Coordinates resources and supports to achieve project deliverables
• Monitors activities of multiple projects to ensure alignment and coordination
• Reviews project data and reports to management on plans and progress, as well as providing analysis and recommendations in order to manage risks and resolve issues
• Support grant writing in response to calls for proposals
• Acts as a staff resource/lead for cross divisional/ sectoral committees to support integrated approaches
• Facilitates linkages between Departmental and Corporate business units; identification of opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration.

Leads and coordinates the development and review of a departmental emergency plans and policy for Community Services (20%)

• Development and review of a Community Services pandemic, cybersecurity and event-specific plans (e.g. solar eclipse), policies, processes, activities and guidelines to ensure preparedness for each of the five divisions
• Coordinates an annual pandemic plan review session with senior leadership and key staff from across the corporation
• Liaises with other departments in the corporation to ensure alignment in emergency plans processes and leads

Supports business continuity planning for the Community Services department in the event of a crisis or significant disruption (10%)

• Supports Senior Leadership to facilitate the planning and response should a significant disruption to business operations be at risk; this time commitment could change depending upon the disruption and impact to the department
• Liaises with other departments in the corporation to ensure alignment in business continuity planning

Develops, maintains, and supports professional relationships within the division, department and with community partners/agencies, sharing information, ideas and other communications across community partners for consistent messaging and training (10%)

• Supports partnerships with various community partners, Local Area Municipalities, Regional Departments to ensure linkages support an integrated approach
• Facilitates sessions and acts as a staff resource for emergency response, pandemic planning, business continuity with various community partners across the Region

Special Requirements

• Incumbents must maintain the ability to travel to various locations in the Region for meetings and other business reasons.
• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215
• Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department