About the Opportunity

TFN is seeking an Emergency Response and Safety Coordinator to join the Municipal Infrastructure Department. The position will review, develop and champion both the departmental safety program and our overall community emergency preparedness and response program. Many of the foundational components of both areas are either already in place needing updates or in preliminary stages requiring your experience, to drive and influence to not only meet, but to set a high standard in the Vancouver Lower Mainland. The successful applicant will possess an equal balance of strategic (‘big picture’) and tactical (‘hands-on) approaches required to excel in this important organizational capacity.

About Tsawwassen First Nation

Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is a proud Coast Salish nation with our land base situated in Tsawwassen, B.C. In 2009, the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement came into effect – this treaty was the first modern urban treaty in BC and the first treaty to be successfully negotiated through the BC Treaty Commission process. The Treaty provides us municipal, provincial and federal types of jurisdiction over a land base of 724 hectares.

Tsawwassen First Nation also became a full member of Metro Vancouver, the first First Nation to do so.  We are going through a period of revival and renewal as we plan our future and seek opportunities to sustain our growth physically, economically and culturally, for present and future generations.

Position Summary:

This position performs a combination of tasks pertaining to two key areas of responsibility, community emergency response/preparedness and employee safety for the Municipal Infrastructure Department. The Emergency Response Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Municipal Infrastructure.

Responsibilities for emergency preparedness and response functions:

TFN is committed to providing active engagement, using a holistic approach that is focused on the social, cultural, spiritual, and wellness needs of all members of our community. This position supports all of these needs through planning, implementing, directing, promoting, and coordinating of emergency response programs and training events. The incumbent will work with the assigned response personnel during times of emergencies and in preparation for emergencies to ensure activities are in alignment with the TFN Emergency Response Program. Taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the public and relationships will require considerable tact, diplomacy and persuasion in relation to the general public, vulnerable persons, community organizations, and co-workers.

• Lead the development and implementation of TFN’s Emergency Management Program
• Develop, monitor, and coordinate community emergency response programs with direction from the Director of Municipal Infrastructure
• Identify, liaise, and respond to Emergency Support Service activations for the TFN Community or those that impact the community’s support services
• Attend and participate in the surrounding meetings (e.g. Delta Emergency Planners Committee, Metro Vancouver REAC Climate Protection Subcommittee, IPREM, etc.), as required, to assist and to provide ESS training, evaluation, and programming
• Provide updates and recommendations regarding TFN’s Emergency Response Plan
• Coordinate community resources to provide assistance to specific demographics and populations in times of emergencies, such as community leaseholders, staff, TFN Elders and Members
• Keep current on grant requirements and associated deadlines. Research, prepare, complete and submit relevant grant applications and execute/monitor/evaluate successful applications
• Prepare and deliver a variety of reports, including emergency event debriefs and Council reports
• Develop and maintain an inventory of lesson plans, documents, presentations, forms, pamphlets, supplies, and educational literature used for electronic/in-person program delivery
• Fulfill the functions of Community Emergency Response Coordinator as defined in TFN’s Emergency Planning and Assistance Regulation
• Work with TFN policy department in the development and update of policy and regulatory documents relative to the TFN Emergency Management Program

Responsibilities for employee safety for the Municipal Infrastructure Department:

In addition to the emergency preparedness and response functions, this position will be responsible for developing and implementing employee safety functions for the Municipal Infrastructure Department. The successful applicant will work with Municipal Infrastructure Department Managers and Supervisors for the Engineering, Public Works and Utilities, and Facilities teams to reduce risk and keep workplaces healthy and safe through safety program development, education and awareness, and enforcement.

• Development, implementation, and coordination of safety programs and procedures within the Municipal Infrastructure Department
• Inspecting workplaces to ensure that a safe work environment is being maintained and work procedures reflect effective accident prevention practices
• Ensuring that there are no potential health or safety hazards to workers, that workers and the employer have been apprised of their responsibilities, and that first aid services and equipment meet current criteria
• Consulting with and educating supervisors, workers, occupational health and safety requirements and best practices
• Identify and coordinate required training and education for all members of the Municipal Infrastructure Department.
• Attend, participate, and host safety meetings
• Working with contractors to ensure the success of safety initiatives

Qualifications or Experience:

• A certificate or diploma in OH&S and/or Emergency Management or a related field of study and a minimum of five years of directly relevant experience
• Considerable knowledge and experience in the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of community projects
• Ability to exercise knowledge, considerable tact, discretion, persuasion, and confidentiality when dealing with staff, the general public, businesses, volunteers and other government agencies
• Advanced skill MS Suite skills including:  Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point
• Experience in managing budgets related to grant programs and providing financial and activity reports to the funders highly desirable
• Ability to interpret relevant legislative legal documentation, corporate policies, and procedures
• Ability to identify community needs that relate to OH&S and emergency response and create opportunities to fill gaps within the TFN Government and/or the Community
• Ability to work on a number of files simultaneously and to establish priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure and exercise independent judgment in determining priorities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to prepare concise reports and presentations
• Satisfactory criminal record check
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license

Qualifications or Experience:

• A certificate or diploma in Emergency Management and/or OH&S or a related field of study and a minimum of five years of directly relevant experience
• Considerable knowledge and experience in the development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of community projects
• Ability to exercise knowledge, considerable tact, discretion, persuasion, and confidentiality when dealing with staff, the general public, businesses, volunteers and other government agencies
• Advanced skill MS Suite skills including:  Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point
• Experience in managing budgets related to grant programs and providing financial and activity reports to the funders highly desirable
• Ability to interpret relevant legislative legal documentation, corporate policies, and procedures
• Ability to identify community needs that relate to OH&S and emergency response and create opportunities to fill gaps within the TFN Government and/or the Community
• Ability to work on a number of files simultaneously and to establish priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure and exercise independent judgment in determining priorities
• Effective oral and written communication skills to prepare concise reports and presentations
• Satisfactory criminal record check
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license

Working Conditions: Work requires primarily indoor work and occasionally outside work with good working conditions and occasional pressures of volume of work, deadlines, or emotional strain as a recognized part of the job.

Wages:  Pay scale for this position is $44.73 to $49.13 per hour commensurate with excellent benefits, including enrolment in the BC Municipal Pension Plan. Placement within the pay scale is based on a review of skills, experience and internal equity. 

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30 pm. Plus occasional evenings and weekends when required.

We wish to thank all interested applicants; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Pursuant to the Tsawwassen First Nation Government Employees Act, first priority in hiring among qualified applicants will be given to Tsawwassen Members, second priority to spouses (as defined in s. 3 (1) of the BC Family Law Act) of Tsawwassen Members, and third priority to members of other First Nations. If you fall within one of these categories and you wish to have this voluntary information considered as part of your application, please indicate the applicable category in your cover letter.