Consultant, Emergency Preparedness

Company : IWK Health

Req ID: 207532 
Department/Program: Protection & Bus Cntnty Srvs, Facilities, Redevelopment, Protection & Business 
Location: Halifax  
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE) x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: ASAP
Union Status: Non-Union Position
Compensation: $38.362 - $47.9524 /hour
Closing Date: August 7, 2025 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

This is not a designated position, however, preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. Please self-identify on your application

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Protection and Business Continuity Services and working in support of IWK Health teams; the Emergency Preparedness Consultant is responsible, when tasked, for developing and leading activities within the designated zone related to all the phases of emergency management. This includes the provision of technical expertise, consultative services to IWK Health stakeholders and allied partners, and advisory support to emergency preparedness, training, response, and recovery activities. Their work ensures that all programs, sites, departments, units, and individuals are prepared for, able to respond to and recover from any incident or events that impacts service delivery.  

Working in collaboration with the IWK Health Fire Safety Consultant and the Manager, the Emergency Preparedness Consultant has responsibility for assisting with the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing administration of the emergency preparedness program within IWK Health. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting with the development of emergency response documents e.g., Site Emergency Response Plans (SERPs), designing and delivering education and training, designing, and delivering emergency exercises, responding to incidents and events assessing and evaluating the processes related to emergency preparedness and response. This position takes an active role in engaging with leaders, physicians, staff, volunteers, and learners to foster participation in a comprehensive emergency preparedness program.

The Consultant is responsible for participating in the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of all components of a comprehensive and integrated emergency preparedness program. The Consultant is committed to achieving the best outcomes in health care program and service delivery, safe care and continuous improvement to meet or exceed all Accreditation Canada and legislative requirements. 

Hours of Work

Monday-Friday; 75 hours bi-weekly. Additional hours may be required based on operational need.

Your Qualifications

• University Degree in Emergency/Disaster Management or, an Advanced Diploma in Emergency Management with a demonstrated relevant combination of continuing education, training and progressive leadership experience may be considered.
• Master’s Degree in Emergency/Disaster Management or relevant field would be an asset.
• Professional Credentialing in Emergency or Disaster Management or Business Continuity from an independent organization e.g., Associate Emergency Manager (AEM®) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) or Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) through DRI International or other continuity accredited body.
• Three (3) years recent and related experience working in an Emergency Management program. Experience in a Health Care environment preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the national Emergencies Act, Emergency Management Act, Nova Scotia Emergency Management Act, Nova Scotia Hospitals Regulations - Hospitals Act, Accreditation Canada HSO A9002:2020 Emergency and Disaster Management and relevant legislation/regulations.
• Demonstrated commitment to life-long learning through continuing education in risk and emergency management, continuity planning, project and change management and response programs.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deal with conflicting demands and interruptions.
• Strong ability to work independently.
• Good project management skills.
• Good conflict management skills.
• Understanding of change management process.
• Strong writing abilities, including policy and procedures, educational resources, reports, and correspondence.
• Demonstrated judgment, decision making, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated innovative systems-based thinking.
• Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of processes and procedures for interacting with professional leadership team during emergencies to lead with confidence, patience, and integrity.
• Ability to work positively in stressful situations.
• Experience related to Business Continuity Planning.
• Experience engaging, mentoring, and empowering teams and stakeholders in a collaborative, participatory manner.
• Working with vulnerable populations and applying a health equity lens in the development and implementation of plans.
• Demonstrated high standards of ethics, integrity, respect, and accountability.
• Travel is required throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality and, at times, within Nova Scotia. Valid Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for travel required.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Management/Non Union  bargaining  unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.