Assistant Chief - Strategy & Policy

Requisition ID: 11673 

Main Purpose and Function:
The Assistant Chief of Strategy & Policy, a member of a diverse progressive leadership Team of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, contributes to the development, preparation and review of departmental policies, strategies and plans, liaising with internal and external stakeholders as necessary, ensuring a robust Strategy and Policy framework. The position also ensures alignment of the departmental policies and strategies with the City’s strategic direction.
 
Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships:
This position reports directly to the Assistant General Manager/Deputy Chief Organizational Performance & Business Operations.  The incumbent liaises with internal and external staff to research and develop relevant policies and strategies to further VF&RS strategic direction. In addition to contributing to strategic and operational planning the position provides corporate reporting, trend monitoring, and engagement with public and internal staff.
 
Specific Duties or Responsibilities:

• Plan, scope and deliver a range of individual projects in line with key corporate and service improvement plan objectives, to continually improve service efficiency, outcomes, delivery and performance.
• Gather and frame information for specialized audiences, provide support and recommend changes in organizational policy and procedures.
• Regularly oversee the review and finalization of all policies and standard operating guideline documents for the Department.
• Generate annual reports and develop the departmental Strategic Plan.
• Support the implementation of the Strategic Plan through support to working groups and plan development, management of projects, and other activities.
• Keep abreast of industry news and trends and develop policy documents and briefing materials to support VF&RS business needs.
• Build strategies to increase awareness of and engagement with relevant policy and strategy issues. Act as an internal resource, championing relevant content / storytelling / digital innovation whenever possible.
• Undertake research, analysis, coordination, project management, and other tasks in relation to specific strategic initiatives as identified by senior management).
• Performs other duties as required.

 
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications or related field.

• Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, standard operational guidelines and standards within a fire service environment.

 
Knowledge:

• Significant in-depth working knowledge of computers, computer systems, programs and capabilities.
• Knowledge of all elements relevant to the effective delivery of public services which include, but not limited to, planning, organizing, supervising, governmental affairs and procedures and local government concepts and the ability to understand such relationships.
• A good understanding of the fire culture would be an asset.

 
Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary project management teams involving aggressive schedules and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to identify, retrieve and interpret information from a variety of sources to produce reports to multiple audiences
• Effective consultation, negotiation and influencing skills
• Effective leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication skills, written, verbal, presentation and negotiation.
• Ability to plan, direct, coordinate, assign and review the work of a team of professional and technical staff.
• Ability to manage in a unionized environment.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise technical and policy reports for presentation to senior City staff.
• Ability to be creative and use sound judgement.
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving aptitude

 
Experience:

• Project Management and leadership experience, preferably in an emergency services organization.
• A proven record of being forward thinking, coupled with the skills of being able to articulate ideas in both written and verbal form.
• Extensive demonstrated experience in developing policies and strategic planning documents.

         
Business Unit/Department: Fire & Rescue Services/Business Operations 
Employment Type: Regular Full Time ( RFT)
Closing Date:  July 27th 2018   

The City of Vancouver is always interested in adding high performing team members to its staff.  If you would like to be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity, please apply on our internal careers site.
 
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.