Toronto Fire Services is the largest and most complex fire service in Canada. The Community Risk Reduction section is comprised of three Division Chiefs responsible for the Inspections and Enforcement, Fire Investigations and Legal Services, and Public Education and Professional Development portfolios. While each Division Chief has primary responsibility for an assigned portfolio, all are expected to work collaboratively and provide leadership, operational support, and strategic direction across Community Risk Reduction functions.

Major Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Deputy Fire Chief, Community Risk Reduction, this Division Chief of Inspections and Enforcement is responsible for all operational activities and administration of the division including the efficiency and effectiveness of all resources in the Division.

The Division Chief regularly represents TFS at evening and weekend events, meetings and ceremonies. Under the direction of the Deputy Fire Chief / Director, the Division Chief:

• Shares accountability for the leadership, administration, strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the Division, ensuring service objectives, performance standards and legislative requirements are met.
• 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;
• Participates in the development of the annual budget. Monitors the annual budget to meet the Division’s approved annual objectives;
• Actively participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of effective operating policies, systems and procedures for the Division
• 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;
• Represents TFS on committees, fostering collaboration by encouraging strong partnerships within City of Toronto internal working groups using cross functional team models and externally between all stakeholders, ministries, agencies, boards and commissions and related forums requiring senior management engagement and participation;
• Establishes environmental scanning processes to determine/identify emerging issues, hazards, trends and program impacts including applicable legislation, industry standards and procedures, regulations and techniques;
• Establishes and promotes strong stakeholder relationships with key partners including provincial partners such as the Office of the Fire Marshal , Electrical Safety Authority, Technical Standards and Safety Authority as well as key municipal partners such as Toronto Legal, Toronto Police Service, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Office of Emergency Management, Planning and Building Divisions to promote fire protection requirements, exchange information and discuss policies, procedures and techniques
• As a champion of inclusion, equity and diversity, embraces these principles and values in the modern fire service.
• Demonstrates a genuine concern and interest for the well-being and success of staff, in an environment that expects personnel to perform at a high level, while providing effective and efficient services for the benefit of the community;
• Provides ongoing leadership that drives the completion of various TFS strategic initiatives;
• Promotes and maintains highly effective, open and collaborative labour relations while applying the collective agreement in a fair, consistent and reasonable manner;
• Leads and motivates a diverse workforce, ensuring effective teamwork, providing resolutions to human resources issues, ensures high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others;

Key Qualifications: 

1. Significant supervisory experience gained through progressively more responsible positions in the fire service.
2. Post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function combined with relevant leadership/management training and experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
3. Demonstrated experience in the application of the Ontario Fire Code and Building Code, NFPA Standards and technical knowledge in a range of core functions of inspections, enforcement, public education, investigations and Fire Marshal Directives and OFM Technical and Public Fire Safety Guidelines
4. Thorough knowledge of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Provincial Offences Act, Building Code Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Toronto Municipal Code and Occupational Health and Safety Act
5. Demonstrated understanding of emerging fire risks including lithium-ion battery technologies, vulnerable occupancies, alternative housing arrangements, industrial processes and other evolving community fire safety challenges.
6. Excellent business acumen and political acuity with the demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex business units in a challenging and rapidly changing corporate environment
7. Demonstrated commitment to the well-being, engagement, and professional development of staff while fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, teamwork, and service delivery.
8. Well-developed communication skills, both written and oral, analytical and conflict resolution skills, interpersonal skills to build good internal/external working relationships.
9. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate at all senior organizational levels, with political representatives and with the media
10. Sound judgement and ability to handle emergency situations under extreme conditions.
11. Highly skilled and adaptive leader with a demonstrated ability to build consensus;
12. Results oriented, possesses the ability to create and champion a shared vision, has proven leadership abilities and has a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment;
13. A forward thinking and visionary leader, capable of developing and implementing progressive ideas and concepts with excellent strategic and lateral thinking skills;
14. Demonstrated commitment to professional development and continuing education.
15. Willing and able to respond to and manage issues that may arise outside of normal working hours including nights, weekends and holidays as required.
16. Participates in a rotational on-call system within the Community Risk Reduction section as required.
17. Must possess and maintain a Class G License as a condition of employment.
18. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Assets:

• Demonstrated experience at a senior officer or management level in a municipal fire service, including responsibility for strategic planning, organizational leadership, labour relations, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience preparing for and providing evidence before Provincial Offences Court, the Fire Safety Commission, and other administrative or judicial tribunals.

• Certification under the following NFPA Professional Qualification Standards:
  • • NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector
    • NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator
    • NFPA 1035 – Fire and Life Safety Educator / PIO
    • NFPA 1041 – Fire Service Instructor