DIVISION CHIEF, Public Education and Professional Development

Job Description:

Reporting to the Deputy Chief - Community Risk Reduction (CRR), the Division Chief is responsible for leading the following key areas of focus within Toronto Fire Services:

• Public Education - Directly manages the Public Education division within TFS, provides direct leadership to the assigned District Chief and works in collaboration with the TFS Public Information Section and the City's Strategic Public and Employee Communications team.


• CRR Professional Development - Directly manages the CRR Professional Development Section within TFS and provides direct leadership to the assigned District Chief.

As a Senior Manager, the Division Chief will ensure the utilization of best practices, technology, and resources to meet the needs and provide best in class service and information to the residents of the city of Toronto. As an experienced people leader, the division chief will champion an increasingly welcoming and supportive environment of inclusion, equity, and diversity; actively embracing and promoting these principles and values in the modern fire services. The Division Chief will be expected to work collaboratively with the other Division Chiefs and be capable of acting in the absence of the Deputy Chief as required. This Division Chief will also participate in the after-hours, evenings and weekends on-call rotation as assigned, assuming the duties of the on-call CRR senior officer.

Major Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief, this Division Chief:

• Participates in the development and implementation of programs/strategies for the Division


• Provides leadership to assigned staff and ensures the effective development and guidance of staff through training and the appropriate delegation of responsibility and authority


• Effectively handles day to day labour relations matters, and the imposition of discipline.


• Ensure the effective performance of assigned employees and the professional operation of all Fire Prevention and Public Education offices through directly subordinate District Chiefs.


• Analyzes and plans for short and long term staffing and organizational requirements, making appropriate changes including the transferring of personnel as necessary for the continuing efficiency of the Division


• Participates in the development of the annual budget. Monitors the annual budget to meet the Division's approved annual objectives


• Facilitates innovation and results orientation in a customer service environment


• Initiates and directs the review of policies, programs, processes, procedures and performance measures to ensure their relevance, effectiveness and efficiency, and initiates or recommends changes as required


• Ensures the accuracy and prompt completion of all reports, records and required documentation


• Liaises with peers and more senior level personnel in other departments, agencies, levels of government and others


• Represents Toronto Fire Services at various public events as required


• Maintains an up to date knowledge of technical developments as they pertain to the area of specialization, including applicable legislation, industry standards and procedures, regulations and techniques


• Establishes environmental scanning processes to determine/identify emerging issues, hazards, trends and program impacts including applicable legislation, industry standards and procedures, regulations and techniques


• Supports enforcement actions in accordance with the FPPA and Provincial Offences Act


• Ensures and promotes strong stakeholder relationships with key partners including provincial partners such as the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)


• Strengthens and promotes collaboration and effective working relationships with Corporate partners including Legal Services, Toronto Police Service, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Office of Emergency Management, Toronto Paramedic Services, City Planning and Toronto Building


• Willing and able to respond to and manage issues that may arise outside of normal working hours including nights, weekends and holidays as required


• Participates in a rotational on call system within the Community Risk Reduction section as required


• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Key Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications (In order to be considered for this position, an applicant must possess these qualifications. These will be assessed during the recruitment process):

• Considerable leadership experience.


• Demonstrated ability to operate as a fully accountable program leader, fostering an environment of excellence in performance, teamwork and service delivery.


• Experience in leading, motivating, and coaching a team of professionals supporting employee engagement and development.


• Sound judgement and the ability to effectively manage difficult and sensitive situations and incidents often under challenging conditions.


• Proficiency in various competencies including highly developed stakeholder relations and a high level of political acuity, with advanced conflict resolution, analytical, problem solving and project management skills.


• Demonstrated experience in the application of the Fire Code and the Building Code, technical knowledge in a range of core functions of inspections and public education


• Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant legislation including the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Provincial Offences Act, Building Code Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act


• NFPA 1031, 1035 and 1041 professional qualifications are required


• Must possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class "G" Driver's License as a condition of employment


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills


• Relevant post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function is an Asset


• Holding NFPA 1033 professional qualification is an asset

Please note:

•  the successful applicant not already possess NPFA 1033 professional qualification, they will be required to complete this requirement as a condition of employment.