FrontLine Security JOBS- EmergMgmt Specialist

Purpose of Position:
To provide expertise in the development and maintenance of the Operations Division components of the Ministry`s emergency management program with respect to the Integration of emergency response plans specific for health related emergencies.
To provide consultation and expert advice to Ministry staff as required, to internal and external health care sector stakeholders and partners with respect to worker health and safety during an emergency.
To serve as the MOL authority on emergency management for health related emergencies.

Duties/Responsibilities:
The Ministry operates under an OIC mandate to protect worker safety in any emergency situation.

1. Developing, implementing and maintaining the Ministry`s emergency management program to provide preparedness in response to health related emergencies including research and studies of best practices with attention to Infection Prevention and Control Practices in the province and other jurisdictions, and making recommendations to update or improve the Ministry`s emergency response accordingly. Drafting/revising emergency response plans, regulations, policies and procedures to reflect changes in Provincial response plans with respect to health related emergencies.

2. Participating in the development of the Ministry`s continuity of operations plan and the development of the Ministry Emergency Response Plan, in order to facilitate coordination and ensure integration of specific health related emergency responses within the Ministry`s overall emergency management program.

3. Charing/participating on MOL working groups to develop plans and assign roles/responsibilities and develop details of how the Ministry will undertake and prepare for carrying out these responsibilities. Reporting back on outcomes to the Ministry Emergency Management Coordinator, for forwarding to the MOL Emergency Management Program Committee (led by the ADM-Operations).

4. Attending Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) committees and sub-committees, as required to provide health care sector input on behalf of the MOL.

5. Preparing briefing notes, house notes, issue notes and correspondence and providing advice, consultation and communications to MOL staff, OPS partner ministries, other Provincial ministry officials, health care/safety associations, employers and labour representatives and members of the public, on matters concerning MOL emergency management programs as they relate to health emergencies.

6. Providing ministry comments and input on Provincial Plans documents. Reviewing ministry`s plans to ensure they capture the relevant sections of approved provincial plans in the MOL response plan with detailed updates to the branches policy and procedures manual and liaising with appropriate MOL program areas for communication of any updates or changes.

7. Providing expertise and input and/or developing and providing MOL staff training on emergency response plans and procedures specific to health related emergencies (e.g. MOL role in enforcing HC worker Health and Safety in response to any provincial emergency).

8. Providing expertise in designing, developing and conducting the Ministry`s mock emergency exercises to ensure an acceptable level of readiness to respond to health related emergencies, through research of preparedness planning in other jurisdictions, analyzing the risks of various practices and their relevance/adaptability to the Ministry, and presenting recommendations to the Ministry Emergency Management Coordinator/senior management for consideration and implementation.

9. Maintaining the arrangements for the ministry`s Emergency Operations Centre and alternate centre, organizing the logistics and supplies, testing of telecommunications equipment and providing training to senior staff designated to occupy the Emergency Operations Centre during a provincial emergency.

10. As assigned, act as an alternate, to staff the MOL desk at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) during a provincial emergency or exercise.

11. Participating in post-event reviews of mock and real emergencies/disasters, to understand the scope of event/problems; identify and assess lessons learned (eg: understand how situation management and related investigations proceeded/should have proceeded); report back to management; develop and evaluate recommendations; and plan and coordinate follow up.

12. Serving as alternate during a nuclear emergency to lead the ingestion monitoring organization that has multi-ministry representation (eg: MAF, MOH, MOE), charged with making recommendations for public safety actions such as food embargoes or evacuations during a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) emergency.

Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge:
Comprehensive, current and expert knowledge of the Provincial health care sector with attention to Infection Prevention Control Practices; thorough knowledge of the core concepts and principles of emergency management in Ontario; requirements at the essential and comprehensive levels of emergency management planning and programs; related legislation (Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and associated regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated regulations), assigned responsibilities, doctrine policies and program areas of emergency management in Ontario; related standards; the incident management system; the Provincial Emergency Response Plan and the other provincial response plans of a large scale (pandemic, nuclear, foreign animal disease, etc.); the operation and function of the Provincial/Ministry Emergency Operations Centre and the interactions between developments in health care sector emergency management in other jurisdictions, to coordinate arrangements for corporate directions and standards designed to mitigate damage or loss in event of a crisis/emergency; develop and provide training; provide effective leadership and guidance in mock and actual emergency responses; and remain updated in a field of work where practices can become obsolete rapidly.

Strong knowledge of Ministry policies, programs, organizational structures, mandate and core business, and in-depth knowledge of OHSA and regulations in order to identify human, material and financial resource requirements and their effective utilization for the MOL emergency management program and to develop health related emergency response plans and procedures reflecting the Operations Division diversity of business/operational requirements.

Knowledge of the technical and scientific principles, practices and procedures applied in operations of the different sectors (mining, construction, industrial, radiation, health care) to assess the adequacy and impact of Health related emergency plans and proposals on the sectors` business, and recommend appropriate health/safety solutions.

Interpersonal and communication skills to conduct health related emergency preparedness consultations, negotiate, and provide advice to individuals and officials at multi-governmental levels to respond to issues and concerns, and write briefs, plans and procedures.

Leadership, judgement and teambuilding skills to provide leadership as assigned in emergencies; chair health related emergency committee meetings; provide staff training; and represent the Ministry/Government as a subject authority with media, members of the public, health and safety associations and interest groups.

Proven project management and planning skills, to develop and implement province-wide health care emergency plans, participate in emergency exercise design and development; conduct emergency exercises.

Analytical skills to conduct research and evaluate the risks, options and soundness with attention to Infection Prevention Control Practices of all Ministry health-related emergency and security planning to identify gaps and make recommendations for improvement.

Demonstrated ability to use available PC-based technology and software, (eg: databases, MS office) for research, analyses, planning, communications and presentations/meetings.

Judgement:
Works under direction from the Ministry Emergency Management Program Coordinator, and makes decisions within Government/Ministry legislation, policies, directives and procedures related to health emergency measures/security and business continuity planning.

Judgement is required in:
- using a high degree of discretion in health related decision-making during crises in conjunction with the Ministry Emergency management Coordinator, when events may deviate from prepared response plans.
-serving as Ministry authority on health related emergency preparedness.
- developing and implementing the appropriate health related emergency response plans and procedures for the Division that are aligned with the broader Ministry/Provincial Emergency Response plans and comply with regulatory timelines; and evaluating the merits/impacts of new developments, tools and techniques related to health emergencies.
- designing and conducting health related training and mock emergency exercises to evaluate and ensure preparedness, evaluate and recommend/adjust plans and procedures as appropriate
- identifying objectives and related procedures and administering the health related components as part of an overall MOL emergency response program that has considered the diversity of the Ministry`s sector operations
- providing information and communications to senior management, field staff and officials of other ministries, agencies, health care sector employers, labour, etc. and representing the Ministry as an authority on health related emergency to the media, the public, health and safety associations, and interest groups on emergency preparedness matters including CBRN emergency
- keeping health related emergency preparedness plans up to date through research and contacts with experts and authoritative sources in the HC sector and other jurisdictions and sharing knowledge/information with colleagues and counterparts

Accountability - Programs:
- taking the lead on assigned emergencies
- providing expertise and advice in coordinating the development, implementation and maintenance of plans for the health related component of Ministry`s Emergency Management Program, to ensure an effective Ministry response to any kind of emergency that may affect workers` health and safety and to ensure the Ministry is compliant with the regulatory requirements under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
- preparing briefing notes, correspondence and training materials; writing plans, policies and regulations to update/change health related plans; and providing advice/communications to senior management, field staff, counterparts in stakeholder/partner ministries, HC sector employers an d labour organizations and members of the public to ensure their awareness and preparedness for response to emergency situations
- chairing MOL working groups related to health emergencies and participating in committees with other ministries/jurisdictions/external stakeholders groups to contribute to health related policy development from MOL`s perspective and develop policy and plans and identify best practices and synergy opportunities for health-related emergency management
- conducting health aspects of emergency exercises; training ministry staff on the health related aspects of emergency responses and the operation of the Ministry`s Emergency Operations Centre

Accountability - Personnel:
Providing emergency management expertise, advice, training, guidance and information for Ministry personnel

Accountability - Finance & Material:
Recommending purchases related to Health emergency situations (eg: N95 masks) and the operations centre, etc, and assisting with development of an emergency management program budget

Accountability - Impact of Errors:
An inadequate/unintegrated health related emergency management program could result in ineffective responses to emergencies by the MOL in the carrying out of its assigned responsibilities for the formulation of an appropriate response to any emergency that may affect worker health and safety including the health and safety of workers

Poor judgement related to the development or execution of emergency measures could have significant impact on the health and safety of ministry staff, health care workers other workers and the public during a crisis.

Poor leadership and decisions could result in inadequate emergency responses, which may contribute to/cause an increase in the number of seriousness of personal injuries or damage to ministry/government property.

Contact - Internal:
- frequent contact with MOL specialists, branch Emergency Management specialist and Regional Emergency Management Specialists to provide updates, integrate plans, provide training, identify/address health related emergency management issues
- regular contact with emergency management personnel at EMO and emergency management staff from other ministries to perform committee work, integrate health related plans, develop and maintain networks to coordinate a provincial response to health related emergencies
- frequent contact with the Emergency Management Program Coordinator and manager of Radiation Protection services to exchange information ensure alignment of health plans with ministry plans and remain current on latest developments in ministry planning/process
- regular contact with provincial emergency management professionals in other ministries to participate on committees, discuss issues, resolve difficult or complex preparedness planning matters, manage potential issues and exchange information reacted to health emergencies
- occasional contact with senior ministry officials (ADM OPerations, Director OHSB) to provide advice

Contact - External:
- occasional contact with safe workplace associations and professional bodies (employer and labour) in the HC sector through committees and networking to exchange information and discuss training and other issues related to health emergencies
- occasional contact with Emergency Management officials of municipal and federal levels of government to discuss emergency planning issues, promote alignment and coordinate the provincial response to a health related emergency
- occasional contacts with police and other security organizations to exchange information on health related emergency management planning
- occasional contact with the media and public to respond to questions related to aspects of health related emergency planning
- as required makes contact with experts in other organizations (government, professional, academic, non-government) in the province and other jurisdictions to share ideas about trends/developments related to health emergency preparedness.