Program Lead, Municipal and CI Business Continuity (Program Admin 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 Planning and Preparedness Branch enhances preparedness, reduces vulnerabilities, and ensures a coordinated response to critical incidents and emergencies by:

• Standing up and deploying the Nova Scotia Guard
• Reviewing comprehensive emergency management programs by the province and municipalities and ensuring they are robust
• Conducting thorough risk assessments and advising on mitigation strategies 
• Administering the Disaster Financial Assistance program to ensure recovery takes place as quickly as possible
• Leading strategic policy, including the management of federal and regional agreements and management of legislation, regulations, policies, establishing standards and preparedness initiatives
• Supporting effective risk management and business continuity for the Province, municipalities, and critical infrastructure partners
• Managing the resiliency office

About Our Opportunity

The Program Lead, Municipal and Critical Infrastructure (CI) Partner Business Continuity Program (BCP) and Evaluation will play an essential role in enhancing the resilience of municipalities by developing and implementing a business continuity management program. Reporting to the Manager of Business Continuity, this new position offers the unique opportunity to shape and influence how municipalities and critical infrastructure providers respond to disruptive events and ensure the continuity of critical services. The role also involves supporting the delivery of corporate strategy functions within the department.

The Program Lead is responsible for the development and implementation of the BCP framework and program for Municipalities and CI partners. The Program Lead works with Emergency Management Coordinators and Critical Infrastructure providers and supports them in developing their plans.  You’ll be instrumental in shaping programs that strengthen communities, ensuring they’re ready to face challenges and recover effectively.

Primary Accountabilities

• Leads a network of business continuity practitioners to develop, maintain and implement their business continuity plans. This includes assisting in the investigation and resolution of business continuity related queries from stakeholders.
• Creates and implements frameworks to evaluate municipalities' emergency management (EM) and business continuity (BC) programs, as well as the BC programs of critical infrastructure (CI) partners to assess compliance with provincial legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Evaluates EM and BC program responses to specific emergencies or disruptive events to identify lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.  Prepares detailed reports and action plans to address identified gaps in programs.
• Maintains business continuity information databases used to centrally coordinate information and to develop reports.
• Develops and delivers virtual and in-person training, exercises and workshops, and develops communications and guidelines for business continuity processes.
• Develops presentation materials for senior leadership and operational managers.
• Supports the Provincial Coordination Centre, which includes support outside of business hours during emergency events. This support requires familiarity with the Incident Command System, when dealing with emergencies or provincial events.
• Supports Provincial Business Continuity during disruptive events, or provincial emergency events, which may include support outside of business hours at the Provincial Coordination Centre.
• Researches and shares best practices in business continuity management.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus at least six (6) years related experience in business continuity management, coordination, or another related discipline.  In addition, you possess relevant and significant experience/expertise in:

• Responding to disruptive events or emergencies
• Developing and facilitating business continuity exercises
• Facilitating training sessions and workshops involving diverse groups
• Communicating across multiple levels of an organization
• Conducting research and submitting proposals for continuous improvement
• Operating in an ambiguous, high stress environment while successfully problem solving and addressing business disruptions
• Business Continuity training and implementation experience
• Incident Command System training and implementation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively and confidently when presenting to groups

While not required, the following would be viewed as assets:

• Experience conducting risk assessments and business impact analysis
• Business Continuity certification from a recognized institution
• Incident Command System (ICS-300) certification
• Experience managing projects from inception to completion. Certification in project management (PMP) is considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge of Basic Emergency Management best practices
• Operating effectively within the MS Office suite including MS Sharepoint and MS Teams data management
  
  

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 four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Completion of a related diploma and eight (8) years of relevant experience.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience.

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks in a high stress environment
• Must be able to travel throughout the province on occasion

Additional Information

• You may be required to report for extended hours at the Provincial Coordination Center (PCC) in Dartmouth in the event of provincial emergencies.
• You must have a valid driver’s license and immediate access to a reliable motor vehicle.

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
• Department specific flexible working schedules