Fire and Explosion Safety Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Safety Team Lead, the Fire and Explosion Safety Specialist is a technical member of the team supporting and collaborating with other team members as well as staff within the OHS Program Delivery branch.

The Fire and Explosion Safety Specialist is a provincial specialist who provides subject matter expertise in support of projects, issues, publications, client responses, and front-line compliance and enforcement activities related to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Regulation and Code.  

As the Fire and Explosion Safety Specialist, you will be accountable for the following key activities in the branch:
 

• Provide fire and explosions expertise in reviewing and interpreting the OHS Act, Regulation and Code. Assist in anticipating, identifying, and assessing fire and explosion hazards and recommend control measures in all types of provincially regulated workplaces. 
• Support OHS investigations in responding to reportable incidents by providing subject matter expertise including providing interpretations and opinions, preparing subject matter expert reports and appearing if required in legal proceedings as an expert witness.
• Provide advice and technical analysis of issues to the Ministry and stakeholders in industry, labour, government, and other agencies regarding a variety of fire and explosion hazards. 
• As a subject matter expert, you will be required to use your specialized knowledge to support the development of legislative provisions related to fire and explosion hazards.

 
Your role is both critical to delivery of front-line services (enforcement of the OHS legislation, investigation of incidents) as well as government operations and priorities. 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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

Competencies for this position include:
•    Creative Problem Solving

• Analytical, logic and problem-solving skills to design and execute valid research into policy and program content and develop policy and program content; and conduct sensitive assessments in the field and ensure their validity.
• Identifies opportunities for improvements and works with Ministry staff on their implementation.
• Time management skills, to balance competing demands at the OHS Delivery branch.

•    Build Collaborative Environments

• Remains apprised of trends, developments and advances in powered mobile and heavy equipment and related subjects, and consults with professionals inside the ministry and externally to remain current.
• Oral and written communication skills, listening and documentation skills, to obtain and communicate information and expert interpretations of policies and programs.
• Ability to conduct sensitive interviews; evaluate and report on assessment approaches/findings and next steps options to Managers and Directors.

•    Systems Thinking

• Understanding of organizational theory related to relationship dynamics in the workplace in order to anticipate and respond to developments and issues sensitively and effectively.
• Knowledge of due process, confidentiality/privacy issues, and trends/developments in other areas to be able to evaluate and respond to emerging issues.
• Knowledge of, and a demonstrated ability to interpret and apply related legislation (occupational health and safety, Human Rights, FOIP), related policies and programs, and policy and program evaluation techniques, in order to research, develop and recommend policy and program options, and evaluate and report on policy and program effectiveness.

•    Develop Self and Others

• Committed to the career development, values, diversity and inclusion and lifelong learning with a desire to invest in the self-development of the long term capability to meet changing industry demands.

Qualifications

University Degree in Engineering or in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience as a Fire investigator or equivalent as described below. OR Two years related diploma and 6 years related experience.

The position requires the following knowledge, skills and experience:

•    Professional engineering designation or eligibility to become P. Eng. Or equivalent experience.
•    Experience in root cause analysis of fire and explosions.
•    Experience providing expert testimony.
•    Knowledgeable in occupational health and safety legislation
•    Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills 
•    Ability to use common office software to perform research, gather and analyze data, prepare reports, policy and program materials, education materials and correspondence.
•    Knowledge and ability to coordinate input and expertise from other divisions, departments, professionals as well as stakeholders on occupational health and safety issues, standards and policies.
•    Knowledge and ability in planning and organizing to develop, coordinate and make recommendations in response to issues and questions.    

Assets:
•    Certification from the National Association of Fire Investigators including Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Fire Inspector, Canadian Certified Fire Investigator and other related certifications would be an asset.

To be considered, your application must be accompanied with a cover letter that demonstrates how your education and experience make you suitable for the role. Your cover letter and resume will be used as screening tools to assess your written communication skills. 
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered for the position. 

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

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week. Work location is in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary.

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. 

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).

The final candidate may be required to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

Links and information on what the GoA has 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