Provincia GSAR Lead (Program Admin Officer 4)

Competition # : 50375

Department: Emergency Management

Location: DARTMOUTH

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: ​18-Nov-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for leading disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia. The objective of the Department is to ensure that Nova Scotians are safe, prepared and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies. The Department leads the coordination and co-operation of partners and resources during provincial level critical incidents, supports municipal and other partners in regional level and local events, administers the province’s 911 service, maintains critical communications infrastructure and supports operations of our regional emergency management centres. The Department also works to ensure critical government services continue to function during and after critical events.

The Regional Operations and Infrastructure Branch

The Regional Operations and Infrastructure Branch enhances the safety and resilience of our Province by:

• Strengthening critical communications infrastructure through the establishment and oversight of the Public Safety Field Communications Agency. The Agency’s mission is to create a Centre of Excellence in the delivery of public safety communications, dispatch, and related technologies across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
• Establishing and maintaining Regional Emergency Operations Centres (REOCs) in 6 regions in Nova Scotia. The REOCs provide leadership in building regional emergency operations networks; ensuring collaborative efforts around emergency planning, training and exercising and developing regional plans for equipment and stores to support emergency response
• Coordinating response to regional emergencies
• Strengthening local and regional emergency preparedness through outreach and education to Nova Scotians at community events, schools, organizations, and through information sessions
• Fostering strong collaboration, communication, and emergency management planning with regional partners, including the development and coordination of regional Nova Scotia Guard networks
• Providing information to the Provincial Coordination Centre and the 24/7 Watch Desk staff to ensure real-time situational awareness, coordination, and support during emergencies and actioning critical information received from the Provincial Coordination Centre in the regions
  
  

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Regional Operations and Infrastructure, the Ground Search and Rescue Programs Lead will be responsible for leading the strategic coordination between the Department and GSAR teams across Nova Scotia. This role requires a strong leader to manage the interactions with key stakeholders, including GSAR teams, municipalities, and provincial and federal entities. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in building strategic relationships throughout this sector and aligning programs, policies, regulations, and legislation with the goals of the province’s emergency management objectives.

Primary Accountabilities

• Serve as the Department’s lead representative and strategic liaison between the Province and GSAR teams, ensuring alignment of government programs and policies. Becomes a trusted partner in the community.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and initiatives related to GSAR, ensuring that they are in line with provincial goals.
• Work closely with senior management to gain buy-in for new policies and programs related to GSAR operations and prepare briefings and submissions to the Minister and Executive Council.
• Work with teams to support policy, program, and funding mechanisms for these sectors.
• Oversee the allocation and management of Departmental funds related to GSAR services, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives, and manage specific tasks such as GSAR ID cards, WCB claims, and reimbursement processes. Supports agencies in developing funding applications outside of Provincial government.
• Provide liaison during large-scale incidents between government and GSAR representatives, ensuring the coordination of critical needs.
• Lead assessments of the effectiveness of existing programs and systems, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring the programs meet their intended outcomes.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in emergency management, public safety, or a related field, with proven leadership experience and the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments. This individual must be adept at managing high-level relationships, developing policy, and leading strategic initiatives to improve the GSAR sectors in the province.

• A degree or diploma in emergency management, public safety, business/public administration, or a related field, along with six years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management, particularly with volunteer and government organizations.
• Proven expertise in policy development, program delivery, and managing budgets and resources.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and deliver clear, concise briefings.
• Experience working within fire services, GSAR, or other emergency response organizations.

The following qualifications or experience would be considered assets:

• Familiarity with the governance of fire and GSAR teams at municipal and provincial levels.
• Training or certification in incident management and/or emergency management systems.
• Familiarity with Nova Scotia's "Trunked Mobile Radio" system for seamless communication and coordination during emergencies.
• Training in the Incident Command System (ICS), preferably with Incident Management Team (IMT) certification.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• Completion of a related Masters degree and four (4) years of related experience
• Completion of a related diploma and seven (7) years of related experience
• At least ten (10) years of related experience

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normally 35 hours per week. Generally during Monday-Friday business hours, but some evenings/weekends regularly required for stakeholder meetings and events.
• This position requires occasional extended hours during emergencies and standby rotation participation.
• The role involves travel throughout Nova Scotia, and occasional out-of-province travel may be required.
  
  

Additional Information

• Must have a valid unrestricted class 5 driver’s license and be able to obtain an enhanced reliability security clearance.
  
  

What We Offer

• Career development opportunities, including access to training, career guidance, and resources.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including health, dental, and life insurance, pension plan, and vacation.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,410.48 - $4,005.58 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. Where required, candidates must provide proof that they are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].