Deputy Chief - Training and Support Services

Why Choose Loyalist for Your Next Great Career Opportunity? Loyalist Township is committed to developing employees who are passionate about making a difference.  We support employees to grow their strengths, and together we will reach our collective full potential as an employer of choice. We offer excellent pay and benefits including a defined benefit pension plan, OMERS. Service to our community, and to each other is what we do.

Loyalist Township is a growing community of over 18,000 residents situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario between the Town of Greater Napanee and the City of Kingston. The Township is a blend of rural and urban areas with a number of smaller hamlets throughout, including its very own island community, accessible by ferry. It is an outdoor-lovers dream, with a Great Lake on the doorstep and beautiful Canadian shield lakes and provincial parks minutes away to the north.  Next door is the historic City of Kingston, which boasts an amazing downtown core right on Lake Ontario, full of excellent restaurants and nightlife offerings. We are also connected to large urban centres by the 401, with the GTA two hours to the west and Ottawa two hours to the east.

About Loyalist Township Emergency Services:  Loyalist Township Emergency Services is a progressive, highly trained composite department operating from four fire stations located in Amherstview, Bath, Odessa, and Amherst Island, providing fire suppression, rescue, fire inspection/code enforcement, training, public education, investigation, and emergency management planning services utilizing 16 pieces of apparatus and 6 support vehicles.  With 90 part-time (volunteer) and 9 full-time personnel, the department boasts a current complement of over 80% of active personnel who have either achieved full NFPA certification or are compliant under grandfathering legislation. The department operates a modern live fire training facility that is utilized year-round by our personnel as well as our mutual aid partners in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Mutual Aid Association.  Council passed the 2023 Comprehensive Risk Assessment and planning is underway to complete an updated Master Fire Plan in 2024. 

Annual salary:             $111,909 - $128,419

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Deputy Fire Chief – Training and Support Services is responsible for the overall development, coordination, implementation, administration, and maintenance of the fire training programs, fleet, facilities and communications in the Emergency Services department. The primary responsibility will be to develop, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of all Loyalist Township Emergency Services training programs, fleet, facilities and communication resources to ensure conformity with applicable regulations, acts, by-laws, codes, and standards applicable to the professional development of emergency services personnel.

The Deputy Fire Chief – Training and Support Services is also responsible for managing the Loyalist Township Emergency Services Training Centre.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• College Diploma in Fire Services Management, Public Administration, or a related field.  Equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II certification.
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer level III certification (level IV would be considered an asset).
• NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor level II certification (level III would be considered an asset).
• NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer certification.
• NFPA 1002 Driver/Operator certification (or equivalent).
• Working knowledge/experience of NFPA 1402 Standard.
• Working knowledge/experience of NFPA 1403 Standard.
• Working knowledge / experience of provincial certification requirements and processes. 
• Five (5) years of progressive senior officer experience in the fire service and have received additional training through the Ontario Fire College, regional fire training centres or educational seminars.
• Experience developing, managing, monitoring, and analyzing capital and operational budgets.
• Demonstrated experience with staff supervision and strong leadership skills in a unionized work environment.
• Working knowledge of Fire Prevention processes and experience would be considered an asset.
• Valid Ontario DZ Drivers License.
• Satisfactory Criminal Background Check (CPIC) with Vulnerable Sector screening.
• Physically able to be involved in all firefighting activities.
• Ability to work flexible hours and be available and on call.

SPECIFIC SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Thorough working knowledge of laws, legislation, acts, regulations, and directives as these pertain and apply to the fire service including the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Fire Code, the Ontario Building Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information Act.
• Thorough working knowledge of health and safety legislation and safe work practices.
• Applied technical knowledge of building design, systems, and construction.
• Applied technical knowledge of fire suppression and rescue operation techniques.
• Applied technical knowledge of current training delivery techniques and record keeping techniques/procedures.
• Applied technical knowledge of emergency management, critical infrastructure and hazard and risk in the community.
• Applied technical knowledge and skills to develop and access strategic plans, risk management plans, operational policy, and business plans.
• Excellent supervisory skills and competence in the interpretation and application of collective agreements, employment policies, regulations, acts and guidelines.
• Excellent understanding of Provincial policies and legislation as they affect municipal government and specific areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to examine and reorganize operations and procedures, formulate policy, develop, and implement new strategies and procedures.
• Ability to remain current with legislation, industry standards and best practices as well as demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.
• Advanced computer proficiency including thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office and database software.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and to prepare comprehensive reports on a variety of subjects.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills by systematically obtaining and assessing relevant information, utilizing reflective reasoning, and taking action in decision making, with a realistic understanding of the issues and the impact of decision on the department/Township.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including effective mentoring, coaching, counselling, and conflict management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communications skills with a variety of people inside or outside the organization. 
• Ability to deal effectively with all levels of staff and government, elected officials, consultants, developers, contractors, the public and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide an engaging work environment where staff are motivated to set and achieve or exceed challenging goals; holds staff accountable and recognizes staff for their achievements.
• Demonstrated professional work ethic and behaviours in interaction with internal and external contacts and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely with ease and confidence while representing the department in a professional, consistent, and positive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead change within the department, promoting and applying innovative methods and solutions to situations through a continuous process improvement mind-set.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and the capacity to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, responding with flexibility to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to confidentiality while exhibiting discretion and good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player who can establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, ratepayers, and the public.
• Physical ability and stamina to perform emergency scene functions.
• Demonstrated ability to operate all Fire Department vehicles and firefighting equipment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Assist the Fire Chief in the day-to-day operations and management of the Fire Department.
• Assume the role and responsibilities of the Fire Chief in their absence, as assigned.
• Keep current with changing local conditions as well as technological changes in the fire service.
• Provide administrative and technical advice to the Fire Chief on operational problems and matters as required and participate in the formulation of departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Liaise with municipal and provincial authorities and others on matters related to the department.
• Develop and monitor annual plans, objectives, performance measures and budgetary controls for area; lead department strategic planning which is aligned to corporate vision, and strategic planning.
• Assist with development, monitoring, analyzing and administration of the capital and operating budgets.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct training activities and Department personnel by establishing goals and objectives for quarterly, annual and bi-annual training and professional development programs.
• Manage the Assistant Deputy Chief (Training) and Emergency Vehicle Technician as well as supervise the Officer’s and Instructors in training related matters.
• In consultation with other staff, estimate cost to develop, deliver, and maintain fire training program, fire training centre, fleet, facilities and communication equipment.
• Maintain accurate records and statistical data using the corporation records management system(s) in accordance with corporate and departmental regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Develop/revise fire department policies, guidelines, procedures, directives, techniques, and equipment including legislation, regulations, by-laws, and standards to ensure a safe, efficient, and effective operation of the department.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and working relationships with internal department divisions, municipal departments, provincial entities and other fire and emergency service agencies.
• Ensure that training programs meet the requirements of relevant legislation, codes, and standards, so that the municipality is compliant with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
• Evaluate ongoing training programs using formal and informal program review processes to ensure that programs are revised to remain current and meet departmental and service level expectations and objectives.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate weekly and on-shift department training.
• Evaluate emergency operations and perform incident command, as necessary.
• Share on-call and after-hours management responsibilities, which includes responding to emergency incidents within the community.
• Determine priorities; obtain, deploy, and optimize fiscal, human, and material resources to achieve business and service plans and expectations aligned to corporate priorities.
• Maintain labour management relations by ensuring compliance with the Collective Agreement through consistent interpretation, supporting the negotiation process, and providing advice and assistance to the negotiation process so the best interest of the municipality and the employees are taken into account and good labour management relations are promoted and effective.
• Prepare and forward reports and correspondence, as required.
• Participate in general maintenance duties required as part of the Fire Department’s operations.
• Protect own health and safety and the safety of others by adopting safe work practices, reporting unsafe conditions immediately, and attending all relevant in-services regarding occupational health and safety.
• Follow all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Training Centre Management

• Develop, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of the training centre’s current and potential business model.
• Develop and maintain budgets, enter into agreements with suppliers and customers.
• Develop, audit and organize staff to operate the training centre.
• Create long-term goals and business plans to foster and grow the training centre.
• A key priority is ensuring that all applicable health and safety requirements and other legislated requirements and/or Best Practices are being met.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

Regular communication with all Emergency Services Department staff, other municipal departments, and Township Council.

External

Public, vendors, provincial ministries, other municipalities, and external agencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal office environment working conditions apply. 
• Will be required to attend meetings outside of regular office hours.
• May be seated for long periods (3-4 hours). 
• At certain times of the year there are strict deadlines to meet which may cause extra workload or additional work hours.
• Attend emergency scenes as required.

Note: The foregoing is intended to outline the general description of duties and responsibilities for this position.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted as a complete description.  Loyalist Township reserves the right to amend this position description at any time.

Loyalist Township values a diverse workforce and looks to attract and retain people who will work together to provide excellent service to our residents, visitors, business partners, and each other. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to work with a team of professionals dedicated to promoting the quality of life and prosperity of our community, come join us!

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Loyalist Township is pleased to accommodate the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment and selection process. Please contact the Human Resources team at hr@loyalist.ca or 613-386-7351 ext. 149 if you require accommodation.