Competition # : 49353
Department: Emergency Management
Location: DARTMOUTH
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 26-Jul-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for leading disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia. The objective of the Department is to ensure that Nova Scotians are safe, prepared and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies. The Department leads the coordination and co-operation of partners and resources during provincial-level critical incidents, supports municipal and other partners in regional-level and local events, administers the Province's 911 service, maintains critical communications infrastructure and supports operations of our regional emergency management centres. The Department also works to ensure critical government services continue to function during and after critical events.
The Incident Management and 911 Branch is dedicated to ensuring the safety and resilience of our Province by:
- Rapidly coordinating provincial response and critical infrastructure partner resources
- Effectively managing incidents to minimize impact and restore normalcy as quickly as possible
- Ensuring integrated emergency responses through the Provincial Coordination Centre
- Strengthening critical communications infrastructure through the establishment and oversight of the Public Safety Field Communications Agency. The Agency's mission is to create a Centre of Excellence in the delivery of public safety communications, dispatch, and related technologies across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
Managing and modernizing the emergency 911 system, including the move to Next Generation 911
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The Public Safety Field Communications (PSFC) Agency is responsible for managing public safety, two-way radio communications, infrastructure, and dispatch services on behalf of the province. The Command Platform Lead – Fire Record Management System (FRMS) plays a critical role by administering, configuring, and supporting the FRMS and other agency applications linked to it. They will demonstrate their problem-solving and decision-making by managing everything from agency and resource setups and business rules to software upgrades, interface monitoring, and day-to-day troubleshooting.
Reporting to the Director of Client Services, the Common Platform Lead - FRMS serves as a key technical point of contact for both end users and vendors. The role suits someone who combines strong technical problem-solving with clear and plain-language communication. A person who thrives in an operational setting, has a curious mind, and is comfortable with managing time-sensitive support needs will fit well in this role.
The Common Platform Lead - FRMS is responsible for:
- Configure and maintain the FRMS, including modules, code tables, validation rules, templates, and workflows to reflect current operational practice.
- Conduct routine data quality audits, identify and correct errors or omissions, and implement controls to prevent recurring data issues.
- Build and maintain operational reports, dashboards, and ad-hoc queries on response times, call volumes, incident types, inspection activity, and training compliance.
- Plan, test, and deploy software upgrades, patches, and new releases across test and production environments, with rollback and validation procedures.
- Act as primary technical liaison with internal government partners and vendors for incidents, service requests, change requests, and release planning.
- Provide application support and troubleshooting for dispatch staff and client agency users, including diagnosing and resolving incidents in a 24/7 environment.
- Develop and deliver end-user training and reference materials; support onboarding of new partner agencies.
- Participate in emergency support for critical application outages.
Contribute to incident, problem, and change management processes and continuous improvement.
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Requirements:
- Post-secondary degree in information technology, computer science, GIS, or a related field along with at least six (6) years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
- Demonstrated experience administering a records management system, database, or comparable enterprise application. Direct end-user support and troubleshooting in an operational environment.
- Experience producing reports and extracting data from a structured information system.
- Experience in application configuration, lifecycle management, and release/patch testing.
- Experience working with technical vendors and managing service/change requests.
- Working knowledge of relational database concepts and structured reporting tools (e.g., SQL, report builders, or equivalent).
- Strong problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills, including translating technical issues into plain language.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop communications plans, reports, and supporting tools.
- Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance / enhanced police background check.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Direct experience administering a fire records management system and CAD-to-RMS integrations.
- Background in fire services, emergency communications, dispatch, or another public-safety environment.
- Experience with records retention, privacy, and access-to-information requirements in a public-sector context.
- Project coordination or change-management experience related to system implementation or upgrades.
- Knowledge of public safety field communications, including P25 trunked radio networks (such as TMR2), Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), and/or 24/7 dispatch operations.
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interviews, and reference checks.
We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include but are not limited to:
- A completed related masters degree and four (4) years of experience
- A completed related diploma and eight (8) years of experience
- 10 total years of related experience
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
- The normal workweek is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
- The centre operates 24/7/365; the Common Platform Lead - CAD may be required to work outside regular hours — including evenings, weekends, or overnights — to support application emergencies that impact operations.
- During provincial-level incidents or emergency activations, extended hours and availability may be required.
- Occasional travel within the province may be required to support training or to meet partners and vendors.
Because this role directly supports emergency response and frontline services, incumbents may be exposed to high-pressure situations. The ability to maintain concentration, manage competing demands, and work within fixed timelines is essential.
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- Career development that gives you access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training at every stage of your career.
- Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in; we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
Pay Grade: PR 17
Salary Range: $3,410.48 - $4,005.58 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU).
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].
