Cyber and Data Information Lead (Program Administration Officer 4)

About Us

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for leading disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia.  The objective of the Department is to ensure that Nova Scotians are safe, prepared and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies. The Department leads the coordination and co-operation of partners and resources during provincial-level critical incidents, supports municipal and other partners in regional-level and local events, administers the province’s 911 service, maintains critical communications infrastructure and supports operations of our regional emergency management centres.  The Department also works to ensure critical government services continue to function during and after critical events. 

The Incident Management and 911 Branch is dedicated to ensuring the safety and resilience of our Province by:

• Rapidly coordinating provincial response and critical infrastructure partner resources
• Effectively managing incidents to minimize impact and restore normalcy as quickly as possible 
• Ensuring integrated emergency responses through the Provincial Coordination Centre
• Strengthening critical communications infrastructure through the establishment and oversight of the Public Safety Field Communications Agency. The Agency’s mission is to create a Centre of Excellence in the delivery of public safety communications, dispatch, and related technologies across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
• Managing and modernizing the emergency 911 system, including the move to Next Generation 911 
  
  

About Our Opportunity

Nova Scotia’s 911 system is undergoing a significant transformation. The service is moving from isolated, circuit-switched analogue networks to interconnected, Internet Protocol-based environments known as Emergency Services IP Networks, or ESInets and associated inter-public safety answering point (PSAP) networks.  These networks will support Next Generation 911 incorporating additional data sources and information that will move throughout the emergency communications system.

As the Cyber and Data Information Lead, you will provide specialized business, technical and security program leadership and service management activities that support Nova Scotia’s NG911 environment.

You will help ensure that 911 data, applications, infrastructure, and networks are supported by appropriate safeguards, while clarifying accountabilities for their effective oversight. You will assess 911 Program and NG911 service risks, evaluate vendor and contractual performance, monitor service-level commitments, and translate technical findings into practical business advice and guidance.

This is a business-focused role requiring you to understand the technicals requirements of NG911 service delivery validating best-practice sector guidance, evaluating evidence, service gaps and improvements, and enforcing service partner obligations.

Your work will help protect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information of the 911 Program along with data consumed by the NG911 service. The guidance you provide will help ensure the reliability of emergency communications by effectively managing risks that could affect the 911 program.

Primary Accountabilities

A few of your key responsibilities in this role include:

• Leading the coordination, evaluation, and planning of business and technical risk assessment activities within the 911 program.
• Evaluating the potential operational and business impacts of identified risks that could affect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of 911 services.
• Translating 911 program technical and cyber security evidence and guidance into comprehensible service and program impacts providing options, recommendations, and decision documents for 911 program leaders and senior management.
• Reviewing 911 vendor deliverables, technical documentation, reports, safeguards, and supporting evidence that will help determine if 911 service obligations are being operationally met. 
• Monitoring 911 service-level agreements, performance measures and compliance requirements.
• Working with technical service delivery and sector experts to further understand public safety networks, applications, infrastructure and service continuity considerations.
• Analysing information from multiple sources to identify patterns or recurring issues that may lead to existing and emerging risks.  Produce evidenced-based information that demonstrates any risk impact on 911 program objectives.
• Coordinating and communicating information and advice amongst public safety answering points resources, emergency service partners, vendors, government teams, and other stakeholders.
• Building effective working relationships with federal and provincial partners along with law enforcement agencies that support the delivery of the Provincial NG911 service.
• Preparing briefings, reports, recommendations, risk summaries, and presentations to 911 stakeholders and DEM executives.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

 
You have completed post-secondary education in information technology, cyber security, information or data management, business, or a related discipline, along with six (6) years of related experience gained through government, emergency communications, information technology, cyber security, telecommunications or data or information management. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

You bring a combination of technical acumen, business judgement, analytical expertise and relationship-management skills. You understand that decisions in a public safety environment must consider service continuity, partner requirements, confidentiality and impact on the 911 Program and 911 service delivery.  You must demonstrate:

• The ability to understand and clarify technical concepts related to the 911 program and their supporting services to all stakeholders and DEM executives.  
• The ability to translate NG911 service risks and findings into clear operational and 911 program impacts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, recommendations, briefings, risk assessments, procedures, or decision materials.

The following would be considered assets:

• Experience working with 911, NG911, emergency communications, public safety answering points, emergency management, or another public safety service.
• Knowledge of Emergency Services IP Networks and the systems, NG911 Core Services, applications, infrastructure, and data flows that support NG911.
• Experience working with contributing service functions to NG911 and the 911 program such as GIS, multimedia integration and/or the use of AI-driven predictive analysis.
• Experience with NENA framework and guidelines, information security controls, cyber security risk management or third-party technology risk.
• Experience working with telecommunications services and their consuming service delivery technologies, protocols and standards such as Session Initiation, Internet and Voice over Internet Protocols.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• Completion of a related Master’s degree and 4 years of related experience
• Completion of a related diploma and 8 years of related experience
• 10 years of related experience in a technology, cyber security, information or data management, or emergency management field.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. Most work is completed in an office and requires sustained attention to detailed technical, contractual, risk, and program information.

Work may occasionally involve urgent operational matters, service disruptions, or decisions that could affect public safety services. Occasional travel within Nova Scotia is required to meet with partners, visit operational locations, build relationships, and gather program information.

Site visits may include public safety answering points or other operational and technical environments.

You must be available to participate in the on-call Duty Officer stand-by rotation and available to support the response and recovery of emergency events as required in the Provincial Coordination Centre.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths