Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisor

Job Description Summary

This position is responsible for the development promotion and implementation of diverse and comprehensive University-wide Emergency Management Continuity Planning and Resilience programing. This position provides guidance and leadership in the identification and mitigation of key risks which may have significant impacts to the campus and implements systematic approaches to enhance organizational resilience. Working under the direction of the Director Emergency Management major responsibilities include assessing the needs for university-wide emergency programming determining workable response and planning approaches based on UBC policies regulatory standards and guidelines and industry best practices. The incumbent will review and assess the effectiveness of the emergency management continuity and resilience programs and report on the status of these initiatives. This position is also responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive training and exercise program emergency response plan development and policies and guidelines relating to emergency management continuity planning and resilience. This position acts as a resource for all UBC-V departments regarding applicable federal provincial and municipal regulations and UBC policies helping the University conform to best practices.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Director Emergency Management and works closely with campus partners on university-wide emergency continuity and resilience initiatives. This position works closely with senior personnel in UBC-V administrative offices as well as UBC faculties departments ancillary operations and the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA). The incumbent may represent the University with external agencies including Emergency Management BC post-secondary and municipal government counterparts and colleagues in emergency management and resilience.

The position provides leadership direction and supervision to a full-time Emergency Management Associate addition this position works closely with other key operational departments (SHCS Building Operations Energy & Water Services Campus and Community Planning Campus Security and others) and with Safety & Risk Services (SRS) departmental staff. From time to time this position will supervise and direct contract workers and work-study students and also manage oversee coordinate or participate with other campus groups on emergency response continuity and resilience initiatives.

Work Performed

- Responsible for development promotion facilitating implementation and maintenance of university-wide emergency preparedness resilience and continuity planning processes and systems.

- Responsible for managing university-wide emergency management and resilience program activities.

- Responsible for managing parts of the continuity planning program including the promotion facilitation implementation and sustainment of continuity planning processes and systems

- Responsible for facilitation development and maintenance of hazard specific ERP Annexes and supporting documentation

- Strategically develops initiates oversees and delivers training programs

- Initiates develops and validates campus-wide plans policies workplace procedures and guidelines related to emergency management business continuity and resilience initiatives

- Works under direction of the Director Emergency Management to lead the planning preparation coordination and administration of emergency exercises including coordinating design team planning meetings overseeing exercise logistics preparing the master sequence of events list and drafting action plans and post exercise reports.

- Develops and creates practical solutions and tools to assist UBC staff and faculty to develop plans which conform to best practices in resilience emergency response and continuity planning and to resolve non-conformance issues

- Responsible for project financial duties such as budgeting and cost accounting

- Represents the University on emergency management initiatives and maintains relationships with external agencies and stakeholders
- Coordinates technology solutions for emergency response and continuity planning initiatives

- Continuously advances emergency management continuity planning and resilience mandates by developing assessment mechanisms for program validation and developing recommendations for enhancements or changes to the current processes.

- Stays up to date with changes to applicable legislation/policy/best practices and emerging issues and trends in the fields of emergency management continuity planning and organizational resilience and adapts the program in accordance.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Under supervision of the Director Emergency Management this position is responsible for facilitating the implementation of emergency and continuity planning processes and systems. This position helps the University conform to Provincial UBC and SRS standards policies and guidelines focusing on the requirements from Emergency Management BC and the BC Emergency Program Act Public Safety Canada and the Emergency Management Act and industry best practices for emergency management and business continuity. Inadequate safety and emergency preparedness measures could result in serious injury to faculty researchers staff students and visitors to the University or failure to comply with federal and provincial legislation in providing a safe working and learning environment. The failure to comply with federal provincial and municipal legislation could involve the legal accountability of officers and administrators of the University and damage to the reputation of the University.

Supervision Received

Work is performed independently within established program criteria and other guidelines. Work is subject to periodic review and consultation by the Director Emergency Management to determine that the quality and quantity of work performed meets established program objectives. The position will keep the Director informed of ongoing activities and will consult with the Director on major problem areas or deviations from established program objectives.

Supervision Given

This position is responsible for direct supervision including hiring performance evaluation and discipline of student work/study positions (when staffed). When required this position will supervise and direct an SRS Associate and contract workers. This position may provide functional supervision to faculty staff and students to ensure conformance to SRS standards and provides technical direction training and advice. This position may also direct or supervise other staff on as-needed basis (e.g. during EOC exercises).

Preferred Qualifications

- Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline
- Certification or training in a related field (e.g. emergency planning/response business continuity enterprise risk management health & safety)

- Minimum 4 years of experience in area of specialization and/or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated advanced understanding of emergency management and continuity planning principles and practices

- Experience in implementing emergency preparedness and continuity planning programs with academic research and development or government organizations
- Experience in the application of relevant federal provincial and municipal legislation especially the BC Emergency Program Act and related regulations
- Experience in developing and conducting training courses and emergency exercises
- Related experience in a consulting or in-house staff emergency and continuity planning function in a municipal educational or corporate setting is an asset
- Familiarity with federal and provincial agencies and public first response agencies
- Knowledge of University programs policies and procedures is an asset

- Knowledge of enterprise risk management and business continuity principles and concepts
- Project management experience an asset

- Personnel management an asset
- Assertive self-starter able to work under limited supervision to meet program goals; able to work independently and within collaborative groups
- Senior-level report writing program planning and analytical skills
- Effective public speaking presentation and training skills
- Ability to work with diverse academic administrative and union groups with persistence and adaptability
- Ability to apply standards policies and procedures to a wide variety of work situations
- Excellent computer skills essential (including Microsoft Office Suite databases and website software)
- Able to wear personal protective equipment such as a hard hat or respirator.