Position Purpose

The position is responsible for supporting the development, implementation and management of a comprehensive Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) to improve York Regional Police’s state of readiness to respond to organizational disruptions resulting from a loss of staff, loss of site or loss of technology. The position involves researching best practices in business continuity planning; leading cross organizational work and project teams to ensure continuity plans provide for an integrated, comprehensive and corporate wide program. Provide subject matter expertise with regards to Emergency Management, collaborate with Senior Officers across the organization to update and develop emergency response and Continuity of Operations Plans.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Lead and support the planning, development and implementation of York Regional Police’s Continuity of Operations Program and the development of strategies and capability to effectively respond and recover in an orderly manner to planned and unplanned interruptions that disrupt critical functions for York Regional Police.
Lead and manage the development of detailed scope requirements, resource management, planning and scheduling, monitoring and reporting progress, managing and mitigating issues and risks for the Continuity of Operations Program.
Lead and manage operational, business transformational, and process improvement for the Continuity of Operations Program in all stages of the project management lifecycle to support the organization.
Builds relationships across YRP creating Continuity of Operations teams within each unit and managing these staff with respect to Continuity of Operations Planning.
As a subject matter expert, provides direction and guidance to coordinate the integration of continuity of operations plans across departments, and ensure that plans provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
Coordinate Operational Impact Analysis review directing Continuity of Operation Unit Teams; to determine gaps, provide direction on prioritization of business plan actions; develop continuity strategies and work plans to support strategic development.
Conducts Operational Impact Analysis workshops with all service areas of YRP. These workshops assess response and recovery strategies to address loss of personnel, loss of facility and loss of technology. These are the three main cornerstones of Business Continuity preparedness.
Manages the implementation of process improvements; provides direction on revisions to Continuity of Operations Plans and deliverables to support continuous improvement attitudes and quality assurance activities.
Coordinates planning activities with cross-bureau participants to ensure the York Regional Police Continuity of Operations Program is inclusive of other unit’s Continuity of Operations plans to ensure critical services are maintained.
Develop testing, and create scenarios, directing teams with respect to all continuity of operations plans and strategies of response for YRP (loss of personnel, loss of facility, loss of technology) to identify gaps and determine corrective courses of action to cultivate a culture of resilience and preparedness.
Ensure seamless integration of Continuity of Operations efforts with ongoing emergency response strategies.
Lead the organization in the evaluation and selection of technical solutions. Manage vendors in the overall solution delivery process for a Business Continuity software.
In collaboration with software vendor, design and maintain software by analyzing needs of YRP to meet project goals and develop effective and innovative program delivery methodologies. Train Continuity of Operation Teams in the use of software and supervise the proper input of data with respect to Continuity of Operations principal.
Identify and develops cross functional initiatives to align Continuity of Operations Planning work that overlaps across the organization, and direct staff to create these procedures (i.e., IT Resiliency Plan). Develop, manage and report to ELT on project plan for Continuity of Operations Program.
Lead and manage working group for Continuity of Operations Program to understand potential impact on the organization, align project work, and execute work activities accordingly.
Liaises with and proactively develops working relationships with stakeholders outside the organization including other police services and community agencies to share and exchange information and facilitate delivery of services.

Education, Licensing & Certifications

Experience

Skills

Preferably experience in large, complex organizations; public sector, health or emergency services and demonstrated experience working with multiple departments, unions and executive leadership, supporting essential/critical services.
Prior work experience in/or exposure to Police organization preferred.
Understanding of Business Continuity application to the policing context.
Strong understanding of best practices, legislation and standards in business continuity and emergency management.
Understanding of federal, provincial and municipal emergency management laws and regulations.
Competency and proficiency in working with business continuity software systems.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Experience and proficiency in working with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Experience in exercise and scenario development, facilitation follow-up analysis.
Effective written and oral presentation skills in dealing with all levels within the organization, external partners, agencies and other stakeholders.
Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills with a demonstrated ability to manage and resolve conflict.
Ability to research, analyze and present proposals on a variety of business continuity and emergency management related issues.
Experience in facilitating and delivering adult education and training.
Completion of Incident Management certification (IMS100, 200 & 300) is preferred.