Job Description

Job Posting
Municipalities are the closest level of government to the public and employees take pride in making Halifax the best it can be. A municipal public servant makes a difference in the lives of over 400,000 people in the Halifax region. If you are committed to public service, have a desire to learn, grow, and give back to the community through your work, you may be the right fit for our organization.
Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent full-time position of Director, Community Standards & Compliance with Community Safety.
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
About the Opportunity
As the municipality's subject matter expert in emergency management, the Director provides strategic advice to the Executive Standing Committee of Regional Council, supports the HRM Emergency Management Planning Committee, and maintains readiness to respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis. The Director ensures that HRM's emergency management framework is integrated across municipal operations, fostering resilience and effective coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
The Director aligns divisional priorities and leadership with the Municipality's Strategic Plan and guided by our vision, mission, and values as outlined in the Plan on a Page. Ensures the division's work supports long-term Municipal goals, contributes to measurable outcomes, and reinforces a workplace culture where employees understand how their work makes a difference in the region.
Key Responsibilities and Priorities

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program for HRM, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements and municipal objectives.
• Conduct regular hazard, risk, and vulnerability assessments; reviews and updates mitigation and preparedness strategies to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the Emergency Management Office (EMO) budget, providing financial oversight and regular reporting to the ED Community Safety.
• Administer the Emergency Management Office, including supervision of staff, management of resources, and coordination of operational activities.
• Plan, organize, and conduct emergency exercises and training programs to strengthen municipal preparedness and response capabilities.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of public information materials (e.g., website content, brochures, advertisements) to support emergency preparedness and program objectives.
• Liaise with provincial, federal, and external agencies to ensure the HRM Emergency Management Plan remains compatible and integrated with broader emergency management frameworks.
• Prepare the division's annual budgets for emergency management initiatives and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with approved plans.
• Oversee the design and deliver public education programs to enhance community awareness and preparedness for emergencies.
• Respond to emergencies or activates the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) as required, providing leadership and coordination of multi-agency operations in support of the Incident Commander.
• Coordinate the use and sharing of municipal resources and equipment to support efficient and effective response efforts.
• Identify, apply for, and manage grants or external funding opportunities for emergency management initiatives, providing progress reports as required.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with community stakeholders, emergency services, and volunteer organizations, including the administration of Joint Emergency Management teams.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operational guidelines to ensure consistency and compliance in emergency management practices across HRM.
• Monitor emerging risks, regulatory changes, and best practices in emergency management, recommending improvements to enhance municipal resilience.
• Ensure that all emergency management activities comply with occupational health and safety requirements, municipal policies, and applicable legislation.
• Represent HRM at regional, provincial, and national emergency management forums and working groups as required.
• Support post-incident evaluations and after-action reviews to identify lessons learned and implement continuous improvement measures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the overall function and responsibilities of the Emergency Management Office.
• Lead the management team and broader division to ensure the Municipality's core values are embedded in employee support, service delivery, and team collaboration. Set and evaluate performance expectations, oversee recruitment and retention (directly and through managers), and foster an inclusive, respectful work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion by embedding these principles in daily operations, decision-making, and talent practices. Demonstrate leadership aligned with municipal competencies, foster teamwork, support continuous learning and development, and maintain open, consistent communication across the division.
• Ensure compliance with human resources policies, practices, and collective agreements, and serve as the division's lead authority in addressing grievances and labour relations matters (if applicable).

May perform other related duties as assigned.
The Ideal Candidate
Education: University Degree
Area of study: Public administration, fire science or emergency management.
Required or Asset: Required
Certifications or other requirements: Extensive training specific to emergency management (i.e. ESM, ICS,EOC, Exercise Design)
Required or Asset: Required
Related Experience: 10 - 15 years' experience
Specific experience: Working with public safety organizations (police, fire, emergency management). Three of those years in Senior emergency management capacity.
Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities

• Outstanding ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively and make decisions in emergency situations, as well as to manage and direct others in crisis situations
• Strong, demonstrated abilities in the areas of leadership, facilitation, project management and crisis management
• Sound knowledge of outside agencies and private organizations that provide support to HRM in an emergency and daily for emergency preparedness
• Thorough knowledge of municipal government, emergency planning legislation and emergency service agencies (Police, Fire, EHS), emergency service providers (GSAR and Amateur radio) and radio communication systems.
• Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, HRM Charter.
• Knowledge of Window based software applications, specifically Microsoft Office and FDM.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and the coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by road, rail, sea or
• air, including the relative costs and benefits
• Experience managing and supervising staff and volunteers
• Experience managing a budget and producing related reports
• Working knowledge of all appropriate municipal by-laws and policies as well as applicable federal and provincial legislation and regulations
• Valid Driver's License for the Province of Nova Scotia
• Knowledge of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles in policy, service delivery, and workplace culture.
• Proficient in the use of modern business technologies and digital tools, with the ability to evaluate and adopt new systems or innovations as needed.

How we do what we do
The core competencies needed for success in this role:
Valuing Diversity - 3
Value & Ethics - 3
Organizational Awareness - 3
Customer Service - 3
Communications - 3
Visioning, Strategic Thinking & Innovation - 3
Networking/Relationship Building - 3
Decision Making - 3
Developing Others - 3
Managing Change - 3
Salary: Non-union Level 10, $128,850 to 157,480 per annum. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Work Location: 21 Mount Hope - Eric Spicer
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those applicants moving forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link below:
For more information on this opportunity, please contact Dilruba Hussain, Talent Acquisition Specialist, at dilruba.hussain@halifax.ca or click "Apply to job" below to submit your application package by 11:59 pm on XX
(position #72282629)

Skills Required