Date:	June 1, 2015 Department: Safety Office
Reports to (Job Title):	Director of Safety
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	None
Location:	Main Campus
Grade:	USG 11 35 hr/wk

Primary Purpose

The Emergency Planning and Fire Safety Officer is responsible for developing, maintaining and communicating emergency preparedness measures for the University of Waterloo with responsibility for the overall planning and development of the university’s emergency management framework, in keeping with industry standards that advance prevention, mitigation, response and recovery elements of emergency management. Within this context, the position, in close coordination with university leadership and committees, is responsible for the development and the implementation of the university’s emergency management plan and supporting infrastructure as well as the coordination of supporting departmental response plans. This position jointly reports to the Director of University Police on Emergency Planning.

The Emergency Planning and Fire Safety Officer plans, develops and implements training, awareness and exercise activities at all levels within the university community to continually improve emergency preparedness.

The incumbent also provides fire/life safety advice and expertise to the UWaterloo community, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, codes, standards and best practices.

The incumbent develops, implements and maintains the Fire Safety Program. He/she is responsible for monitoring fire safety and providing advice on practices, policies, codes and standards. In addition, the incumbent reviews plans for code compliance, compiles lists of deficiencies and develops, implements and maintains fire safety plans, programs and policies for all UWaterloo campuses. The incumbent is also responsible for all training and education related to fire safety.

Key Accountabilities:

Emergency Planning

Responsible for:

developing and maintaining the emergency planning governance framework;
conducting initial and periodic institutional risk and business impact assessments to identify and prioritize risk
maintaining current knowledge of best practices relating to risk assessment and business impact assessment;
developing and maintaining the Emergency Response Plan and all related sub-protocols;
liaising with Information Systems and Technology in the development of appropriate technological support;
liaising with Marketing & Strategic Communications in the development of an emergency planning communications plan, and integrating that plan into the emergency response protocol;
communicating and coordinating emergency planning protocols with third party responders and community partners
coordinating the development, communication and implementation plans of departmental emergency response procedures;
planning and coordinating the practice of periodic campus-wide and departmental emergency response plans;
being a resource to the Emergency Operations Group (EOG) during emergencies
ensuring the continued readiness of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) with respect to equipment, personnel and materials;
designing and delivering training modules related to campus emergency response;
overseeing the Emergency Notification Systems and the testing of these systems;
integrating hazard-specific and unit level response procedures into the institutional emergency response protocol;
coordinating with key university stakeholders to assist in a return to normal business operations following an emergency;
being a principal resource to university emergency management governing committees; and
other duties as assigned.

Fire Safety

Responsible for:

conducting risk assessments in order to determine and prioritize risks;
developing, implementing, maintaining and promoting the fire safety program including: policies, programs and procedures and fire safety plans;
ensuring appropriate volunteer fire warden evacuation coverage;
coordinating annual evacuation drills;
developing and conducting training related to the fire safety program;
responding to fire occurrences as needed, including those occurring outside core hours, to assist fire departments and internal fire wardens/coordinators with response;
responding to fire safety complaints or concerns;
liaising with local fire departments and municipalities as required to facilitate collaborative activities, including fire plan approvals, compliance, fire prevention and public education;
performing fire safety inspections to ensure compliance with codes, standards and procedures;
providing technical advice and guidance to staff, faculty, students and fire wardens on fire safety issues; and,
recommending and initiating corrective actions related to fire prevention and response.

Position Requirements

Education:

A minimum of a two year diploma in Emergency Management or equivalent;
University degree preferred;
Certification in business continuity planning, risk management or related field;
Certifications or training in emergency planning, emergency preparedness or first responder training;
Background in Fire Protection and Prevention programs preferred; and
Emergency Management Ontario accreditation preferred

Experience:

Several years’ experience in a planning and policy role with similar organizational scope, specialized in emergency response/emergency management and fire safety or equivalent.

Competencies will include:

strategic thinking, innovation and superior interpersonal, organizational and communication skills;
superior writing, presentation skills and ability to develop, manage and deliver training programs;
demonstrated leadership ability, tactical thinking, planning and organizational skills; and
extensive expertise with managing interpretation and compliance with applicable legislation and codes.

Must possess Ontario Driver’s Licence Class G minimum.

Technical:

MS Word	Excel	PowerPoint	Other

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

Deals with confidential materials and must exercise sound judgement, tact, unquestionable degree of integrity and diplomacy using well-developed interpersonal communication skills.

Internal: Communicates with all members of University community including senior leadership to deal with, influence and motivate others, and to promote, justify and settle matters that are often highly sensitive.

Resolves situations as a consensus facilitator with creative abilities to achieve success for the University.

External: Liaises with professional and government regulators and agencies representing the University on matters that are sensitive and critical to the deliverables of the University of Waterloo.

Level of Responsibility:

Responsible for provision of expert advice, management of emergency planning and fire safety program services and compliance with legislative and legal requirements for all aspects of the University.

Decision-Making Authority:

The position ensures that all reasonable precautions are taken. A hesitation to pursue resolution of a health, safety and environment issue or fault in the health, safety and environment program could result in serious disruption to academic/research programs and campus services while damaging the institution’s reputation.

The position has signing authority for Safety Office accounts and negotiating supplier contracts.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Varied physical positions and occasional climbing, lifting and carrying required.

Occasional concentrated sensory use particularly during training presentations.

Working Environment:

Involves visiting varying work areas and locations, in and outdoors, at all times of the year normally within Monday to Friday core hours however is often required to vary schedule for training or responding to incidents.

Handles hazardous materials and enters higher hazard work areas (construction projects; injury and fire scenes).

Uses various personal protective equipment (PPE) however majority of time is in an office type environment where PPE is not required.

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