Manager, Emergency Planning

The Role The Manager, Emergency Planning is accountable for managing the overall planning and administration of the Emergency Management program at Douglas College. Responsibilities include planning for emergency scenarios, preparedness, risk management, response, recovery and business continuity to ensure employee, student, contractor and visitor safety. The manager leads the integration of the College into a disaster resilient community through compliance with legislation, maintaining community partnerships and leveraging new developments in related technology. The position develops policies and procedures and provides strategic advice to the Director, Safety, Security and Risk Management on the planning, execution, control and evaluation of emergency management and business continuity initiatives. The Manager collaborates with senior leaders of the College to ensure a comprehensive Emergency Management program. This position may be called upon in times of response to fill roles within the emergency management response structure, requiring them to maintain composure in high-pressure situations with a calm and focused demeanor to make effective decisions. The work also requires a collaborative and compassionate approach and understanding of the complex, unionized, and culturally diverse environment of an academic institution. Because the work involves situations requiring response that may occur outside of the business work day time frame, the Manager is on call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and expected to respond in case of emergency. Responsibilities MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Under the general direction of the Director, Safety, Security & Risk Management, the Manager, Emergency Planning is accountable for the following: Development, implementation, assessment and continuous improvement of the strategic and operational policies, plans and procedures for all aspects of the College’s emergency management and business continuity programs to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. Provide collaborative leadership, direction, expertise and advice to College employees regarding their respective roles in crisis and emergency planning and response, and promote their engagement in the development of the College and departmental plans, ensuring that departmental plans are consistent with College plans. Provide collaborative leadership, direction, expertise and advice to College programs and departments regarding their development and maintenance of business continuity plans through the understanding of both administrative and academic activity requirements. Participate in the preparation of the department’s strategic and operational plans. Coordinates the College’s emergency activities with external emergency response services as well as with federal, provincial and municipal authorities, agencies and organizations to ensure there is alignment, and effective response to emergencies. Keeps current with changes to applicable legislation and emerging issues/trends in emergency planning concepts. Analyses and communicates the impacts to any College department or programs affected. Works closely with other departmental managers in Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Management, Campus Security, Human Resources, Student Affairs and Facilities Management to ensure coordinated and effective emergency plans and goals. Manage the Emergency Response Supply program at all campuses to ensure the maintenance, assets, product shelf life, advancement in equipment and communications supplies are in operational readiness at all times. Implement the Douglas College Emergency Operations Centre(s) (EOC), including the design, maintenance, operations and emergency response readiness, and coordinate physical resources, develop the staffing program and related training and exercising of the EOC. Coordinate response teams and management of the College’s EOC in the event of a crisis, major emergency or disaster; prioritize, direct and supervise the planning, preparedness and mitigation to emergency situations including the deployment of resources and the mandating of any measures required for the safety of assets and personnel. Maintain the operations and testing of the College emergency notification systems. Conduct training sessions, orientations and presentations to familiarize employees and students with the College Emergency Management Program for awareness of their responsibilities and safety in the event of a disaster. Develop and maintain a College Emergency Response Team program. In emergency response incidents, make immediate and appropriate recommendations in order to prevent or minimize personal injury and/or damage to personal and public property in alignment with the British Columbia Emergency Management System (BCEMS). Oversee, support and maintain the College Fire safety Program including floor warden training, conduction of fire drills and inspections to ensure compliance. Support and oversee the completion of field risk assessments for field trips, field schools and research in the field as well as large event planning. Administer the College’s Collective Agreements and representing management in the grievance process, as appropriate. Participate in professional organizations and represent the Department and the College on internal and external committees, as required. Act on behalf of the Director, Safety, Security & Risk Management as and when required. Actively models the Douglas College Core Competencies. Perform other related duties as required. To Be Successful in this Role You Will Need EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS To be successful in this role you will need: Established professional credibility as evidenced by a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited post-secondary institution in a related area of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; Five years demonstrated experience in leading business continuity and emergency planning experience in an environment of similar scope and complexity, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience; Demonstrated working knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of:Business continuity;Risk Assessment and Risk Management;Emergency planning, preparedness and response;Incident command system;Critical incident stress management;Effective communication strategies;Training methods and techniques. Strong organizational, analytical and leadership skills together with an ability to ensure effective decision-making within a collegial environment; Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills together with proven experience in resolving conflict; Training experience and current knowledge of issues, regulations and best practices in the areas of business continuity and emergency management; Demonstrated ability to model appropriate professional, ethical and collaborative behaviours consistent with the responsibilities of the position; and Progressive supervisory experience, preferably in a unionized, public sector environment. Demonstrated abilities that align with the Douglas College Core Competency Framework. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), and DRI Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), or Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) designation preferred; and Canadian Risk Management (CRM), or a related designation is an asset. Familiarity with post-secondary education environment and a detailed knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal laws and regulations is an asset.