Deputy Fire Chief

Why Guelph:
**What we offer**

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

- Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
- Paid personal days;
- Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
- Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
- Employee and Family Assistance Program;
- Parental leave top up program;
- Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
- Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview:
We are currently hiring for the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Reporting to the Fire Chief/General Manager of Fire Services, this position will be responsible for the administration and continuity of operations of the Fire Services. As a member of the Fire Services management team, you will be responsible for budget, quality assurance and statistical analysis, long term priorities and strategic orientation, personnel matters, risk management, technology, and providing guidance and oversight assigned divisions. This incumbent would take lead in business administration, data and record management, and have oversight of Fire Prevention to support Fire Services.

We are seeking a progressive and influential leader, who will motivate a diverse team, foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvements. Supporting the Fire Service management team, you are a change agent, and your insights help guide decision-making and relationships at all stakeholder levels, contribute to strategic planning, and implementation of best practices in the Guelph Fire Department and for our community.

**Key duties and responsibilities**
- Provide visible and positive leadership for all administration and operations, building a positive culture for the Fire Department that fosters inclusivity, respect, and motivation.
- Support the Fire Chief and leaders, including Deputy Chief and Divisional Chiefs, to develop, communicate, execute, and sustain service area business plans and work plans in alignment with the Strategic Plan.
- Provide comprehensive advice related to service area work and collaborate with departmental leaders on matters that support long term direction and strategic priorities.
- Position the fire department as a proactive, adaptive, and well-resourced organization. capable of effectively addressing the evolving needs of the community.
- Establish policies, operating procedures, work methods and standards for firefighting/protection and emergency response, training and equipment/facilities maintenance, and health and wellness of staff.
- Ensure compliance in Fire Services with applicable federal and provincial regulations/legislation and City by-laws.
- Serve as a resource to coordinate strategic initiatives and enhance communication, collaboration, and consistency across departments, including engagement with corporate functions.
- Oversee leadership development for the fire department
- Develop and oversee KPOs and metrics for the fire department
- Lead change management efforts and processes associated with providing continuous quality improvement and framework for enhancing fire safety and community risk mitigation strategies, including oversight of the Community Risk Reduction Plan.
- Manage and oversee Fire Prevention operations including the integration of data analytics and business intelligence into the department’s inspection program and public education initiatives.
- Represent the department as necessary before Council and Committee meetings of the City, act as a spokesperson within the community and with stakeholder organizations.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all stakeholders including customers, the Mayor and members of Council, city staff, the Executive of the Guelph Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, community partners and associations, suppliers, vendors, contractors and municipal, provincial and federal counterparts.
- Available on call for after-hours response (on-call Chief) on a rotating schedule.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications and requirements**
- Considerable experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through a Degree/Diploma in Business Administration, Information Management, Computer Science, Emergency Management or a related field. Progressive responsibility and years of experience in relevant positions associated with management, emergency services. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Experience in providing strategic advice and direction to leadership teams, preferably in a municipal setting.
- Excellent organization skills and critical thinking with the ability to collaborate on inter-departmental projects.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation and regulatory authorities, such as MFIPPA, PHIPPA, FPPA, OHSA etc.
- Experience in data management to identify and problem solv