Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief

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:   $119,840 - $137,519

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief provides leadership, oversees and is responsible for planning, organizing and directing departmental operations for Loyalist Township’s composite fire service as Fire Chief, including proactive leadership, administration, financial management, policy development, operations procedures, fire suppression/investigation, fire prevention and public education, emergency medical responses, training, community emergency planning, supervision of staff, public relations and ensuring compliance with the Ontario Fire Code, Municipal By-laws and Provincial and Federal Legislation.  The Director also manages the by-law enforcement program for the Township.  The Director is a member of the Leadership team reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of post-secondary education in Fire Services Management, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Ontario Fire College (OFC) Company Officer Diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) certification, or the ability to obtain.
• Seven (7) years of progressive management 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.
• Valid Ontario DZ Driver’s 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.

SPECIFC 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, the Ontario Building Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Thorough working knowledge of health and safety legislation and safe work practices.
• 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. Communication with managers, consultants and the public may involve complex and detailed exchanges and requires strong problem-solving skills.  A wide range of communication skills is required (e.g., coaching, negotiations, presentations) to address varied situations and influence senior decision makers.
• 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 general public.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Overall coordination, monitoring, and management of the department’s activities.
• As a member of the leadership team, participate in the development and implementation of corporate goals and objectives both within the Fire Department and across the organization.
• Safeguard the delivery of an effective fire suppression and emergency response program to minimize the loss of life and/or property and an effective fire prevention program to enhance community fire safety.
• Preparation, coordination, and monitoring of the departmental operating budget including, preparing, reviewing, and recommending annual capital and operating budgets and forecasts, and potential funding sources.
• Implement, oversee, monitor, analyze and administer approved department budgets and reports on same; authorizes purchases and payment of accounts to ensure the provision and maintenance of fire infrastructure according to planned targets, budgets, procedures, and priorities in accordance with applicable policies and legislation.
• Investigates and responds to enquiries, resolves complaints, and liaises with the public, staff, consultants, Department Heads, Members of Council, and community groups regarding department matters.
• Prepares reports and presentations, makes recommendations, and attends Council, Committees of Council, community group, public and/or other meetings as required.
• Oversees the department’s personnel directly or through Supervisor’s, this includes resource planning, recruitment and termination, development and guidance of individuals, and the evaluation of performance.
• Ensures that all Supervisors are knowledgeable of, and adhere to, all applicable safety regulations and that appropriate training is provided to all department staff to meet legislated and legal requirements, and to allow all job functions to be carried out safely and effectively.
• Ensure the development of a comprehensive training program and evaluation system for all positions.
• Guarantee the ongoing development and maintenance of an effective information/records management system to meet statutory reporting requirements and to facilitate successful emergency response, prevention, and investigation activities.
• Lead and advocate a continuous improvement process for the department through identifying and analyzing trends and technological advances in the fire service field that are in accordance with Provincial regulations, guidelines, codes, and directives.
• Administration of the collective bargaining agreement for department personnel, in conjunction with supervisory staff.
• Ensure the effective management and control of capital assets (building and equipment).
• Enforce fire safety legislation, regulations and standards within the community and the fire department through the development of polices and procedure and SOPs, initiating appropriate corrective action for all incidents involving non-compliance, ensuring the appropriate communication, and maintaining the applicable records.
• Participates as a member of the leadership team providing input on departmental and corporate planning and strategic initiatives, lead and/or participate on project teams.
• Works in conjunction with the Deputy Chief and Officers to advocate, promote fire safety and education to the public.
• Perform various public relations functions as a leader in the community including presentations to Council, media relations and keynote addresses throughout the community. 
• Negotiate and administer inter-municipality agreements pertaining to fire fighting and emergency response.
• Participates as a member of the Loyalist Township’s Emergency Operations Control Group in the role of Community Emergency Management Coordinator or alternate.
• Direct the enforcement of municipal by-laws and applicable Provincial regulations.
• Protects 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.
• Follows all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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.