Senior Manager of Regional Emergency Services
About the role
Branch
Community Services
Position Type
Management Exempt
Salary
$118,862 - $141,176
Hours Per Week
35
Employment Type
Permanent Full-Time
Competition Type
Internal/External Posting
Date posted
July 30, 2025
We are accepting applications for a permanent full-time Senior Manager of Regional Emergency Services (Senior Manager) to join our team. Reporting to the General Manager of Community Services, the Senior Manager leads the advancement of emergency response and recovery resilience in the Comox Valley through an integrated emergency management approach. This includes strategic planning, budget oversight, and full implementation of the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service (Service), a multijurisdictional regional initiative.
The Senior Manager supports community organizations delivering emergency services and provides leadership to the CVEM team and Administrative Committee, with members from local municipalities and the K’ómoks First Nation.
Working closely with regional partners, including the K’ómoks First Nation, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, and Electoral Areas A, B, and C, the Senior Manager helps build local emergency readiness and coordinates Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activations as needed. The Senior Manager also represents these partners in outreach and coordination with Emergency Management Climate Readiness (EMCR), BC Wildfire Service (Ministry of Forests), Rural Fire Services and other relevant agencies as required.
The primary responsibilities of this role include:
- Providing strategic leadership for the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service (CVEMS), ensuring alignment with CVRD Board priorities and regional service goals;
- Overseeing the planning, coordination, and implementation of community emergency response and recovery operations in compliance with the Emergency Disaster Management Act and aligned with the Sendai Framework principles;
- Supporting non-profit and community partners, including search and rescue groups and justice organizations, in securing funding for emergency and wellness services;
- Leading long-range planning for service delivery and staffing, incorporating risk reduction strategies and regional emergency management best practices;
- Guiding the development and implementation of emergency management policies, procedures, and operational systems;
- Providing strategic advice and briefings to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Executive Management Team throughout all phases of emergency management (mitigation, planning, response and recovery);
- Determining staffing and resource needs in partnership with the General Manager, building strong regional and community partnerships;
- Supervising and supporting emergency management staff, promoting professional development, psychological safety, and a healthy work-life balance;
- Participating in a 24/7 on-call rotation to ensure emergency response coverage year-round;
- Leading the operational readiness and ongoing development of the Harmston Emergency Operations Centre and support EOC coordination across the region.
Our ideal candidate is:
- Highly knowledgeable in emergency management legislation and regulations, including the Local Government Act, Community Charter, applicable CVRD bylaws, and the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, along with related provincial and federal regulations;
- Thoroughly knowledgeable about regional governance, including the structure, mandate, business objectives, and operating environment of a regional district;
- Educated with a degree in Risk Management, Emergency Management, Crisis Management, or a related field, combined with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in emergency management or a related public sector leadership role—preferably within a local or regional government context. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered;
- Certified with an Emergency Management Associate Certificate (preferred); or as a minimum: Incident Command System (ICS) courses, Emergency Management BC (EMBC) courses, or other relevant emergency management training is considered a strong asset;
- Experienced in directly managing Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers (e.g., Emergency Support Services, Emergency Radio Communications) and working collaboratively with emergency response agencies such as police, fire, and emergency medical services.
- Well-versed in the British Columbia Emergency Management System (BCEMS), with the ability to lead and support employees, contractors, and volunteers engaged in emergency management operations;
- Experienced in public sector budgeting, with the ability to manage complex budgets, oversee both expenses and revenues, and ensure alignment with strategic service goals;
- Proficient in identifying, securing, and managing grants, with a focus on funding opportunities that support emergency services and long-term community resilience;
- A skilled collaborator, able to effectively engage and build trusted relationships with Indigenous partners, local governments, volunteer organizations, and response agencies to achieve shared emergency management goals;
- Technologically proficient, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint, local government financial systems, and other relevant software tools.
- A valid BC Class 5 driver’s license is required for this role. Successful candidates will be required to consent to a Canadian Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector search if applicable).
This is an exempt position with a current annual salary range of $118,862 - $141,176.
To review the complete job description and to apply go to www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/jobs.
The closing date for this position is August 22, 2025, at 3:00 pm. Applications for available positions with the CVRD must be received prior to the indicated closing date and time. We appreciate all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If your application is shortlisted, you will be contacted in a timely manner to arrange an interview. Virtual or in-person interviews are available.
The CVRD respectfully acknowledges the land on which it operates is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
The CVRD is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive work environment. We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
About Comox Valley Regional District
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The local governments work collaboratively on services for the benefit of those living and visiting the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
The geography of the CVRD includes rural agricultural, vibrant urban, meandering coastline and dramatic mountains.
The CVRD covers an area of 2,425 square kilometres, of which 1,725 square kilometres is land (the remainder is water), and serves a population of 63,538 according to the 2011 Census.
Our borders extend from Cook Creek in the south to the Oyster River in the north, west to Strathcona Park, and east to take in Denman and Hornby Islands.
From watershed protection and water treatment solutions to the completion of the new Hornby Island fire hall, the projects occurring in our region are creating a more sustainable, livable community for all our residents to enjoy.
Senior Manager of Regional Emergency Services
About the role
Branch
Community Services
Position Type
Management Exempt
Salary
$118,862 - $141,176
Hours Per Week
35
Employment Type
Permanent Full-Time
Competition Type
Internal/External Posting
Date posted
July 30, 2025
We are accepting applications for a permanent full-time Senior Manager of Regional Emergency Services (Senior Manager) to join our team. Reporting to the General Manager of Community Services, the Senior Manager leads the advancement of emergency response and recovery resilience in the Comox Valley through an integrated emergency management approach. This includes strategic planning, budget oversight, and full implementation of the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service (Service), a multijurisdictional regional initiative.
The Senior Manager supports community organizations delivering emergency services and provides leadership to the CVEM team and Administrative Committee, with members from local municipalities and the K’ómoks First Nation.
Working closely with regional partners, including the K’ómoks First Nation, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, and Electoral Areas A, B, and C, the Senior Manager helps build local emergency readiness and coordinates Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activations as needed. The Senior Manager also represents these partners in outreach and coordination with Emergency Management Climate Readiness (EMCR), BC Wildfire Service (Ministry of Forests), Rural Fire Services and other relevant agencies as required.
The primary responsibilities of this role include:
- Providing strategic leadership for the Comox Valley Emergency Management Service (CVEMS), ensuring alignment with CVRD Board priorities and regional service goals;
- Overseeing the planning, coordination, and implementation of community emergency response and recovery operations in compliance with the Emergency Disaster Management Act and aligned with the Sendai Framework principles;
- Supporting non-profit and community partners, including search and rescue groups and justice organizations, in securing funding for emergency and wellness services;
- Leading long-range planning for service delivery and staffing, incorporating risk reduction strategies and regional emergency management best practices;
- Guiding the development and implementation of emergency management policies, procedures, and operational systems;
- Providing strategic advice and briefings to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Executive Management Team throughout all phases of emergency management (mitigation, planning, response and recovery);
- Determining staffing and resource needs in partnership with the General Manager, building strong regional and community partnerships;
- Supervising and supporting emergency management staff, promoting professional development, psychological safety, and a healthy work-life balance;
- Participating in a 24/7 on-call rotation to ensure emergency response coverage year-round;
- Leading the operational readiness and ongoing development of the Harmston Emergency Operations Centre and support EOC coordination across the region.
Our ideal candidate is:
- Highly knowledgeable in emergency management legislation and regulations, including the Local Government Act, Community Charter, applicable CVRD bylaws, and the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, along with related provincial and federal regulations;
- Thoroughly knowledgeable about regional governance, including the structure, mandate, business objectives, and operating environment of a regional district;
- Educated with a degree in Risk Management, Emergency Management, Crisis Management, or a related field, combined with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in emergency management or a related public sector leadership role—preferably within a local or regional government context. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered;
- Certified with an Emergency Management Associate Certificate (preferred); or as a minimum: Incident Command System (ICS) courses, Emergency Management BC (EMBC) courses, or other relevant emergency management training is considered a strong asset;
- Experienced in directly managing Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers (e.g., Emergency Support Services, Emergency Radio Communications) and working collaboratively with emergency response agencies such as police, fire, and emergency medical services.
- Well-versed in the British Columbia Emergency Management System (BCEMS), with the ability to lead and support employees, contractors, and volunteers engaged in emergency management operations;
- Experienced in public sector budgeting, with the ability to manage complex budgets, oversee both expenses and revenues, and ensure alignment with strategic service goals;
- Proficient in identifying, securing, and managing grants, with a focus on funding opportunities that support emergency services and long-term community resilience;
- A skilled collaborator, able to effectively engage and build trusted relationships with Indigenous partners, local governments, volunteer organizations, and response agencies to achieve shared emergency management goals;
- Technologically proficient, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint, local government financial systems, and other relevant software tools.
- A valid BC Class 5 driver’s license is required for this role. Successful candidates will be required to consent to a Canadian Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector search if applicable).
This is an exempt position with a current annual salary range of $118,862 - $141,176.
To review the complete job description and to apply go to www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/jobs.
The closing date for this position is August 22, 2025, at 3:00 pm. Applications for available positions with the CVRD must be received prior to the indicated closing date and time. We appreciate all applications; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If your application is shortlisted, you will be contacted in a timely manner to arrange an interview. Virtual or in-person interviews are available.
The CVRD respectfully acknowledges the land on which it operates is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
The CVRD is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive work environment. We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
About Comox Valley Regional District
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The local governments work collaboratively on services for the benefit of those living and visiting the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
The geography of the CVRD includes rural agricultural, vibrant urban, meandering coastline and dramatic mountains.
The CVRD covers an area of 2,425 square kilometres, of which 1,725 square kilometres is land (the remainder is water), and serves a population of 63,538 according to the 2011 Census.
Our borders extend from Cook Creek in the south to the Oyster River in the north, west to Strathcona Park, and east to take in Denman and Hornby Islands.
From watershed protection and water treatment solutions to the completion of the new Hornby Island fire hall, the projects occurring in our region are creating a more sustainable, livable community for all our residents to enjoy.