Emergency Services Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you a highly organized, resilient, and proactive emergency management professional? We are seeking a dedicated Emergency Services Officer/Consequence Management Officer (ESO/CMO) to join our team. This pivotal role supports the ongoing management and delivery of critical EMASS programs, ensuring the Ministry is prepared to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any crisis or hazard impacting Albertans.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management and Policy (Ongoing)

• Policy and Guidance: Clarify, interpret, and advise on legislation, Ministry policy, standards, and operational directives to promote consistency in program delivery across the organization.
• Strategic Research: Conduct research, collect, evaluate, and analyze data for position papers, options, and strategy development.
• Corporate Communication: Prepare and update briefing notes and correspondence for senior management and facilitate the processing of issues through various staff networks.
• Cross-Government Collaboration: Establish and maintain strong relationships with cross-government contacts and external groups to develop and implement coordinated management responses.

Emergency Management Team (Preparedness & Response)

• 24/7 Availability: Requires 24/7 on-call availability to support shift changes and staff the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre (PECC) and/or Departmental Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) during activations.
• Incident Command Support: Fill the role of Manager, Emergency Management Team, or Deputy Incident Commander during DEOC and PECC activations, as required.
• Coordination & Resourcing: Serve as the CMO or BCO to coordinate essential resourcing and prioritization of the Ministry’s response during emergencies within the PECC or impacted communities.
• Local Authority Liaison: Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), working with local and regional authorities (including Tribal Council and Métis Settlement Emergency Managers) on the training, delivery, and implementation of emergency response plans.
• Protocol Development: Assist with developing and maintaining written protocols to ensure local authorities have access to necessary policy and resourcing for providing emergency services during a state of emergency.
  

Role Responsibilities Cont.

Facility Emergency Planning Program (FEPP)

• Plan Development: Provide support in the preparation, maintenance, evaluation, and exercising of the Ministry's Business Continuity, Consequence Management, and Crisis Communications emergency management plans.
• Compliance: Ensure Ministry compliance with the legislative requirements of the Alberta Emergency Plan, the Government Emergency Management Regulation, and the Emergency Management Act.
• Culture Enhancement: Identify and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to build an enhanced emergency management culture and resiliency across both Ministries.
• Guidance and Training: Provide expertise and guidance to ensure departmental personnel necessary to implement emergency plans are available and trained on a 24-hour basis.

Activation Functions & Communications

• DEOC/PECC Operations: Support the effective operation of the DEOC and EMASS functions during emergency events, acting as the Primary for the CMO role during activations.
• Information Flow: Facilitate the efficient exchange of information between the PECC and the Ministry's DEOC.
• Crisis Communications: Assist with the development, coordination, and administration of the Crisis Communication Plan.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Systems Thinking: Understands how all Ministry programs, legislation, and systems are interconnected to design comprehensive and cohesive emergency plans.
• Creative Problem Solving: Develops novel, effective, and practical solutions to complex or unprecedented challenges during a crisis or while drafting new policy.
• Agility: Quickly and effectively adapts plans, priorities, and focus in response to rapidly changing conditions during an emergency activation.
• Drive for Results: A persistent focus on achieving mandated objectives, taking initiative, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring full implementation of policies and plans.
• Develop Networks: Actively builds and maintains trusting relationships across government and with external stakeholders to secure necessary support and resources during a crisis.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Fosters a positive, coordinated, and resilient environment within the DEOC and among teams, essential for high-stress emergency activations.
• Develop Self and Others: Commits to continuous professional growth while mentoring junior staff and building the overall training and capacity of the Ministry for emergency resilience.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in Emergency Management; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

Desired:

• Experience within a complex organizational setting, preferably with a government program, Accreditation as a Certified Emergency Management (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM)

Asset:

• Being accredited as an Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) designation

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Two available positions one permanent and one Temporary (2 years).

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a written assessment to evaluate their knowledge and skills relevant to the role.

Hours of Work

• 7.25 Daily Hours
• 36.25 Weekly Hours
• 8:15AM to 4:30PM (Monday to Friday)
• Location: Edmonton

A cover letter is required and will be used to evaluate written communication skills.

If a security screening is required:

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.