Field Communications Officer (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 Regional Operations and Infrastructure Branch enhances the safety and resilience of our Province by:

• 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
• Establishing and maintaining Regional Emergency Operations Centres (REOCs) in 6 regions in Nova Scotia.  The REOCs provide leadership in building regional emergency operations networks, ensuring collaborative efforts around emergency planning, training and exercising and developing regional plans for equipment and stores to support emergency response
• Coordinating response to regional emergencies
• Strengthening local and regional emergency preparedness through outreach and education to Nova Scotians at community events, schools, organizations, and through information sessions
• Fostering strong collaboration, communication, and emergency management planning with regional partners, including the development and coordination of regional Nova Scotia Guard networks
• Providing information to the Provincial Coordination Centre and the 24/7 Watch Desk staff to ensure real-time situational awareness, coordination, and support during emergencies and actioning critical information received from the Provincial Coordination Centre in the regions

About Our Opportunity

The Public Safety Field Communications Agency is responsible for managing public safety and public works two-way radio communications, infrastructure, and dispatch services on behalf of the Province.

Field Communications Officers are the partner-facing resources in the Public Safety Field Communications Agency (PSFC) and are responsible for delivering on the operational needs of radio and other telecommunications system users in the public safety, emergency management and field operations' realms.  The Field Communications Officer is responsible to liaise with various clients and agencies who are supported by PSFC as users of provincial communications systems.  This may include, for example, supporting onboarding of new client agencies on provincial radio systems/infrastructure, technology upgrades/replacements, assisting with project or governance delivery, or bringing multiple agencies together to find new ways to communicate during emergencies. The Field Communications Officer fosters interoperability between and among agencies (a primary strategic goal of PSFC in everything they do and consistently manage strategic alignment between PSFC and client agencies. They will serve as a respected technical and operational resources for all stakeholders.  The Field Communications Officer will serve as a regional representative for exercise planning and development initiatives and deliver training to various users as required under the guidance of the training officer and Senior Field Communications Officers.   The Field Communications Officer will serve as the regional lead in the delivery of mobile communications support services for emergencies and planned events in the region.

This posting is to hire one Field Communications Officer in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. 

Primary Accountabilities

• Manages day-to-day relationships with the various PSFC clients, contract service providers, and team in coordination with the management team.
• Assist with the oversight and delivery of client projects in coordination with the PSFC Team.  Activities include working in conjunction with the Senior Field Communications Officers to develop business requirements, manage project resources and timelines, and resolve issues to ensure effective project delivery.
• Supports senior colleagues in the development of internal and external communications to promote Agency initiatives and activities and communicate Agency goals.
• Monitors the operational environment and identifies needs and shortcomings resulting in client needs not being met.  Identifies needs and responds to questions and concerns from key partners and program users.
• Analyses and provides program recommendations through reports and advice to senior leadership;  assists with research, development, and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, policies, best practices, and governance mechanisms related to public safety operations and telecommunications systems.
• Acts as a resource, consultant, and technical specialist to support clients and partner agencies through questions and challenges related to radio communications and associated technologies.
• Serves as a Communications Unit Leader – delivering on-scene mobile communications support services to emergencies and events, and leading the communications unit as required to deploy staff and equipment to support such events. Serves as the agency lead on communication planning for large events and exercises in the region.
• May be required to support the Provincial Coordination Centre (PCC) or Regional Emergency Operation Centres (REOCs) during incidents as the agency representative.
• This position will be responsible for delivering training to various user groups as well as assisting with exercise planning and development.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will exhibit a commitment to high-quality service delivery, focusing on meeting client needs and aligning operations with agency objectives. The candidate must be adept at making critical decisions under pressure and building strong relationships to achieve organizational goals.

Proven expertise in public safety communications technologies and operations is essential.

The successful candidate will have a university degree in a related field (Business/Commerce, Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Public Administration, or Emergency Management) plus six (6) years of relevant experience in a public safety environment.

Candidates must:

• Be client-focused, taking pride in client service, and demonstrating skill in working with diverse stakeholders.
• Be familiar with public safety communications technologies such as mobile radio, paging, satellite, and dispatch technologies. 
• Have demonstrated an ability to lead projects.
• Have experience working in an Incident Command System environment.
• Have experience working in or closely with a public safety/emergency management agency.
• Have excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and provide clear, concise briefings and advice.
• Be trained in the Incident Command System to at least ICS level 200.
• Have experience delivering technical training to diverse audiences.

Assets include:

• Marine, Aeronautical, or Amateur Radio Licenses.

• Communication Unit Leader (COM-L) training.

• Communications Unit Technician (COM-T) training.

• Completion of a CEVO course for emergency vehicle operation.

• Knowledge of the APCO P25 radio standard.

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:

• Ten (10) years of directly related experience.

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

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.

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

• Will serve as part of a 24/7/365 on-call rotation.

• Frequent requirements to work overtime on a 24/7 basis, in locations across the province, to support training, travel, and emergencies/events.

• May work evenings/weekends on occasion to meet stakeholder needs.

• Will travel frequently throughout their designated region, and occasionally throughout the province

Additional Information

• Must have a valid unrestricted class 5 license.

• Must be able to obtain an enhanced reliability level security clearance.

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.