Chief, Paramedic Services (26-198)

Job Title: Chief, Paramedic Services
Bargaining Unit: Non-Union
Language Requirement: English Essential
Vacancy Status: Existing vacancy

Cornwall is a beautiful community with a population of 47,000 situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario. The city offers a wide array of urban amenities, making it an excellent place for a career and raising a family. With a growing economy, expanding population and fantastic quality of life, there has never been a better time to start the next phase of your career with the City of Cornwall! Cornwall is a diverse and progressive community where residents and partners feel safe, welcomed, and enjoy a high quality of life supported by access to financially responsible and sustainable municipal services and infrastructure. 

Position Summary 

The Chief of Paramedic Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for the municipality’s paramedic services, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality pre hospital care and emergency medical response. This role is responsible for developing and implementing operational plans, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with municipal, provincial, and federal regulations. The Chief collaborates with internal and external teams and partners to enhance service delivery and meet the evolving needs of the community. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the paramedic service, aligning operations with municipal and community needs. 
• Develop, implement, and oversee operational plans, annual budgets, and policies to ensure efficient service delivery. 
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and standards governing paramedic services. 
• Collaborate with other emergency services, healthcare providers, and community organizations to optimize patient care and emergency response. 
• Monitor performance metrics and prepare reports to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. 
• Lead the planning and execution of major initiatives, including program expansion and change, technology upgrades, and disaster response preparedness. 
• Represent the paramedic services in meetings with municipal leadership, Council, and external interest-holders. 
• Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, equity, continuous improvement, and professional excellence within the department. 
• Respond to high-level operational or community emergencies as required. Leadership of Others 
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure team alignment with organizational goals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Develop team capacity by coaching, mentoring, and identifying professional development opportunities, ensuring alignment with operational and organizational priorities. 
• Guide and support team members to meet operational objectives, ensuring compliance with organizational standards, policies, and procedures while fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment. 
• Play an active role in the recruitment process by participating in candidate screening, interviews, and hiring decisions while ensuring candidates have a positive experience. 
• Facilitate the successful onboarding of newly hired employees by delivering comprehensive training and continuous development, ensuring alignment between their role, organizational objectives, and the municipality’s culture. 

Position Requirements  
Education & Certifications:  

• University degree in Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Emergency Management or a related field, combined with successful completion of an accredited Paramedic Diploma Program and certification as a Primary Care Paramedic, Advanced Care Paramedic or higher designation recognized in Ontario.
• A Master's degree and Certified Municipal Manager (CMM) designation are considered assets.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in paramedic or emergency services, including at least 7 years in a senior leadership role within a municipal or regional service.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Emergency Management: Knowledge of best practices and protocols in emergency preparedness, incident command, and disaster response. 
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to develop and implement long-term strategies that align with community goals and priorities. 
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability. 
• Community Engagement: Expertise in fostering meaningful public engagement and building collaborative relationships with interest-holders. 
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of legislation, standards, and regulations governing paramedic services. 
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making skills to address complex challenges and operational issues. 
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data and trends to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Adaptability: Managing a wide range of tasks, from projects to community services, and adapting to the unique needs of the municipality. 
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to municipal councils and community groups. 
• Intergovernmental Collaboration: Foster strong, cooperative relationships with Council, MPs, MPPs, and Ministry officials by engaging in regular communication, aligning on policy objectives, and advocating for the organization's interests to ensure effective governance and mutual support. 

Working Conditions 

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting with regular travel to operational sites, community events, and other meetings. 
• Standard business hours, Monday to Friday, with flexibility required to respond to emergencies or attend events. 
• May involve exposure to hazardous environments, extreme weather, and physically demanding conditions during emergencies. 
• Cognitive demands include analytical and critical thinking, strategic decision making, and exposure to high-pressure situations and operational challenges inherent to emergency services leadership. 
• Physical demands include extended periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen.

If selected for this role, you will need to provide:

• Successful reference check (two work-related references, with a minimum of one being a direct supervisor)
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• Proof of certifications

Additional Information:
The Corporation of The City of Cornwall strives to promote and demonstrate the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the community we serve and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The City of Cornwall is an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the City, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The City of Cornwall is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please save a copy of this posting for your records. Please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how you meet each of the required qualifications. Please note, selection for further consideration will be based on the information you provide in your application. Interviews may be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams or in-person.

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