Position Summary
As a member of the Community Growth and Infrastructure Team, the, Safety Services Chief is accountable for overseeing the activities and operations of the Safety Codes division in alignment with the Community Growth and Infrastructure Department goals. The Safety Services Chief is accountable for public safety and the protection of property under the Alberta Safety Codes Act, and Municipal Government Act, while providing strategic direction and mentorship to Safety Codes Group. The Safety Services Chief is also expected to lead, train and supervise the Safety Codes Technicians and ensure daily operational needs are met and service levels are fulfilled.
General Accountabilities
- Participates in the building of cohesive interdependent teams that work to achieve departmental objectives and in collaboration with other departments.
- Provides opportunities for team members to understand and value each other’s expertise and skills.
- Provides mentorship and leadership to the Safety Codes division relating to operations and processes.
- Responsible for coaching, mentoring and training members of the Safety Codes division on policies, procedures, code updates and resolving complex cases.
- Acts as the Subject Matter Expert when it comes to Safety Codes enforcement matters.
- Expected to manage the team’s workload, resolve escalated situations, address conflicts, create and implement action plans to improve team dynamics and overall performance and ensure that all members of the group are provided with the resources needed to perform their jobs.
- Acts as a model of the desired values, attitudes, skills, and behaviors that contribute to a safe and ethical work environment.
- Provides technical advice within the bounds of professional standards. The Safety Services Chief is responsible for educating residents, developers, builders, City staff members from other departments/groups, business owners on safety code administration and interpretation.
- Networks and facilitates partnerships with local, regional, provincial, and federal subject matter experts and service providers, peers in other municipalities, consultants, developers, etc.
- Provides technical support and options for various projects to City Management on project, including sensitive issues.
- Provide budget advice to City Management.
- Provide hiring advice to City Management, which may include participating in reviewing job applicants and interviews.
- Appropriate and responsible use of confidential information; maintains confidentiality and security of all information related to the City.
- Ensures a safe and healthy work environment for staff, visitors, the community and stakeholders, e.g., participates in workplace safety initiatives, participate in formal and informal worksite safety and environment inspections and audits, ensures compliance with the City’s Health and Safety Management System, reports and assists in the analysis of near misses or incidents.
- Participates as a member of the Chestermere Emergency Response team in preparing and enabling the community to respond in the event of a local or regional disaster.
Technical Accountabilities
Duties
As a member of the Community Growth and Infrastructure leadership team, you will be expected to foster an inclusive leadership approach that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as psychological and physical safety. As a strategic decision-maker, you will possess political acumen and have experience in leading transformational change and enabling innovation. Primary duties include:
- Provides technical supervision and support in the implementation and continuous improvement of:
- Safety Codes permits: reviews building plans and processes permit applications; advises clients on best practices and recommendations; approves permits for proposed construction, relocation or demolition; ensures documentation is filed in accordance with corporate policy and legislation.
- Inspections: performs site inspections, ensures and guides compliance of the Safety Codes Act; ensures code compliance before building occupancy; documentation of all relevant information and files is complete.
- Employee Development: Coach, mentor, and assist with training employees with regards to Risk Management, Safety Codes Act, codes, bylaws, industry best practices and standards.
- Customer service: provides customer centric service to clients; maintains professionalism by providing best practice recommendations and solutions to both internal and external partners; provides educational resources to clients, ensuring resources are available at the front desk; follows up with clients.
- This position is responsible for the life safety of all buildings through compliance monitoring in accordance with the Safety Codes Act, Safety Codes Municipal Accreditation and the City’s Quality Management Plan.
- Facilitates annual internal audit of permits and champions audit related deliverables to Safety Codes Council.
- Authorized to sign enforcement orders under the Safety Codes Act, and delegates gathering evidence, prepare files for legal matters, attend appeal hearing of Building Safety Codes Council, appears at court cases and give evidence as required.
- Attend to escalations and provide complainant follow up, and coaches the employee through the lessons learned from the situation.
- Manage and control the Building Permit Bylaw and ensure regulations are adhered to.
- Lead, influence, motivate and develop the Building Safety Team.
- Monitor high volume output while ensuring the service deliverable of quality, operational performance, and appropriate interpretation of Safety Codes and other applicable legislation.
- Support the development and implementation of strategic objectives, processes, policies and plans to ensure the City of Chestermere building and development standards are competitive and compliant.
- Provide reports and updates to senior leadership through presentation, metrics and engaged meetings.
- Develop partnerships with the construction industry.
- Proactively identify and forecast priorities, process improvements, update service agreements, manage risks, and create and report on performance metrics.
- Ensure maintenance of City network integrity, developer compliance with requirements, minimal public disruptions and continuity of services while coordinating development activities from preconstruction to final acceptance.
- Effectively manage resources to achieve results that are aligned with business goals and customers needs.
- Understand and navigate the workings, structure and culture of municipal government as well as the impacts of business decisions and opportunities.
- Collaborate with planning, development, engineering, fire safety and enforcement team and its leaders and to ensure consistency, continuity of processes and updates are understood and implemented in alignment with the City of Chestermere’s values and strategic goals.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of this position.
Required Education And Experience
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience working within the Building Safety Codes discipline and at least 7 years' experience providing strategic leadership in a supervisor capacity.
- Experience working in a public sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees considered an asset.
Required Certifications And/or Documentation
- Certificate of Competency issued by the Safety Codes Council in the Building discipline is required. Minimum education and experience required by the Safety Codes Council;
- Journeyman carpenter, plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker or bricklayer certification recognized in Alberta and five (5) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry after receiving that journeyman certification;
- Engineering or architecture degree recognized in Canada and five (5) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry, at least three (3) of which must be completed after obtaining that degree;
- A two (2) year technology diploma in a related field or equivalent recognized in Canada and five (5) years of relevant experience in the building construction industry after obtaining that diploma plus
- five (5) years’ experience as a Part 3, HVAC All Safety Codes Officer.
- Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered.
- Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License and Drive’s Abstract deemed satisfactory by the City.
- Criminal Record Check deemed satisfactory by the City.
- Possess and maintain a valid Standard First Aid CPR C & AED or commitment to obtain within 3 months of commencing employment.
Expected Skills And Attributes
- Thorough knowledge of the National Building Code - Alberta Edition (NBC-AE) and related legislation as well as the ability to make technical judgements to correct infractions in the building discipline.
- Working knowledge of the Safety Codes Act, Alberta Permitting Regulation, City of Chestermere’s Bylaws and related policies, and procedures.
- Strong technical writing skills; intermediate skills with MS Office and other relevant computer software.
- Strong customer service skills; ability to communicate professionally and resolve issues and investigate in an efficient manner.
- Self-starter with the ability to problem solve and make sound decisions that supports equitable development and align with legislative compliance.
- Proven time management and organizational skills with an attention to detail.
- Demonstrates success in building, developing and leading strong teams, leading and managing change, developing and using metrics to improve organizational performance, deploying resources to achieve effective and efficient outcomes, and establishing and maintaining strong and positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, and/or elected officials.
- Experience and success in creating and executing a strategic vision and direction for a complex organization or division, ideally in a service-based environment is a preferred asset.
Working Conditions
- Regularly interacting with public, and internal and external partners.
- Normal office conditions; long periods of sitting, reading and concentration.
- May be required to work outside normal working hours.
- Occasional travel throughout the region/neighboring urban and rural areas in order to conduct site inspections, attend meetings and trainings.
- Occasional time required outside of the office to perform specific tasks in inclement weather.
