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The County of Grande Prairie No. 1, located in northwestern Alberta, is one of the fastest growing and vibrant economic regions in Canada. This resource-rich area features friendly communities; an array of cultural, recreational, business, and educational opportunities; 6,000 square kilometres of vast and dynamic landscape; and an internationally renowned dinosaur bonebed and museum. The Grande Prairie Region serves a trade area of over 280,000 people. The County’s diverse economy is driven by agriculture, energy, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, and commerce. As the first established county in the province, the County of Grande Prairie offers rural appeal and easy access to urban amenities.
For more information on the County of Grande Prairie visit: www.countygp.ab.ca
The County of Grande Prairie builds on its natural environment and the entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens to provide an unmatched quality of life and opportunity for all. We offer a collaborative and dynamic workplace where our values of Trustworthy, Transparent, Respectful, and Collaborative guide our conduct and contribute to a healthy culture.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The County’s Regional Fire Service is designed to deliver the best possible fire protection and safety service to avoid loss of life and property through prevention, preparedness, and response. The County of Grande Prairie No.1 is a composite fire service consisting of full time and paid responder employees. This staffing model meets the needs of the County and reflects the commitment of both the County and its various communities and residents. This commitment to a composite model is unwavering and must be understood and embraced by all fire personnel.
As an integral member of the County’s Management Team, the Fire Chief leads the firefighting operations and fire prevention activities of the County of Grande Prairie No. 1’s Regional Fire Service. The Fire Chief is required to analyze and consult with County officials in developing recommendations for the protection of life and property in the County. Administrative duties including planning, directing, and controlling activities of the work unit including recruitment and retention of personnel, purchase of equipment, control of expenditures, management of budgets, and the assignment of personnel and equipment.
The position requires the ability to work in highly stressful situations and dynamic ever-changing environments with other professionals. The ability to prioritize daily workloads to accomplish service goals is expected. The incumbent will have to maintain a flexible schedule that allows for the addressing of the needs of personnel.
This position has an overall budget responsibility of ~$9.5 M and oversees up to 67 full-time and part-time staff as well as many paid responder firefighters at multiple rural stations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Plans and organizes workloads and assignments. Coaches and mentors staff to use strategic thinking skills, build effective working relationships and collaborative approaches.
Trains, motivates, and evaluates staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
Makes recommendations to the Director of Community Services to assist in decision-making.
Reviews programs and procedures to ensure they are current, relevant, and in compliance with established County policies.
Attends department, community group, and union meetings
Participates as a member of the management team.
Develops and monitors the operating budget for Regional Fire Services
Manage contracts and mutual aid agreements.
Education & Experience:
Certified Local Government Managers Certificate or Business Administration Certificate, Fire Science Certificate, or Certificate in Fire Management and Leadership, Certified post-secondary education at a recognized educational institute minimum 2-year diploma). An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Seven years progressively more responsible related management experience
Experience leading/managing a Municipal Emergency Response organization
Relevant operational firefighter experience
Experience supervising, mentoring and coaching staff
Experience evaluating programs and services
Valid driver license and satisfactory driver abstract from the province in which you reside.
Incident Command System (ICS) 400
Public Information Officer Training
NFPA 1001- Level II- Professional Firefighter Qualification
NFPA 1041- Level II – Fire Service Instructor
NFPA 1021 – Fire Officer Level III
NFPA 1033 – Investigator Level I- Preferred
NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer
NFPA 472 – Dangerous Goods – Minimum Operations Level with preference to Technician level.
Basic Fire Safety Codes Officer (Alberta)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Change Management Skills: An innovator with a positive and results-driven orientated attitude, who takes initiative, anticipates, and proactively solves problems, enjoys leading change, and takes informed risks in pursuit of service improvement. Identifies opportunities to make the organization more cost-effective, while maintaining or enhancing operations and customer service. Facilitates timely and constructive conflict and issues resolution, follows-up on unresolved issues effectively, and accepts advice and constructive counsel.
Leadership Skills: Collaborative, cooperative and positive. Develop and mentor others to be leaders; create, support, and lead by example to build a supportive team and a positive work environment. Appreciative, engaging, understanding and knowledgeable of issues and concerns. Identifies opportunities, inspires action, and achieves results
Build Relationships: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, senior management, Council, other agencies, and the public. Flexible, adaptable, collaborative and demonstrates a positive attitude. Ability to build consensus with various stakeholders.
Communication Skills: Open, honest, and tactful with all audiences. Demonstrates respect to all in a clear and straightforward style. Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills and presentation abilities.
Team Building Skills: Demonstrated success leading a team, talks openly with others, establishes expectations, holds self and others accountable, supports group decisions, shares credit, builds enthusiasm for goals, and resolves conflict appropriately; collaborative.
Community Involvement: Determine new and innovative ways to engage and consult with County residents to determine social priorities and develop programs and services; accordingly, demonstrated experience staying connected within the community.
Interpersonal Skills: An outgoing individual that works well with people from all disciplines and is sensitive and empathic to diverse needs with a proven ability to integrate teams. Has an ability to motivate and work positively with community volunteers and organizations. Encourages inclusivity, with the ability to interact with various groups and people of all backgrounds. Integrity and Trust: Honest, sincere, dependable, authentic, and trustworthy. High ethical standards and an honest, open-minded, and consistent approach to working with staff and stakeholders
Management Skills: Encourages and inspires innovative ideas and approaches. Ensures timely and efficient budgeting, financial and information reporting. Uses resources effectively and efficiently, sets clear expectations and ensures accountability through the performance management system.
Make Decisions: Assess complex/sensitive situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks and make sometimes controversial or tough decisions that are in the best interests of the organization.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits.
Comprehensive background and reference checks will be conducted on the successful candidate.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position will be open until filled with the first review of applicants on October 10, 2022.
The County of Grande Prairie recognizes and values the principles of fair hiring practices. We are committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact hr@countygp.ab.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.
