Commander, Paramedic Services (NU 18.26)(PFT)

Norfolk County•Simcoe, ON

7d•CA$92,440 - CA$120,173•Hybrid

About The Position

Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Norfolk County is where big vision meets unlimited potential. As one of Ontario’s largest single-tier municipalities and home to over 70,000 people, Norfolk is bold, diverse, and proudly local - a municipality that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and connection. Here, you’ll find endless opportunities to grow your skills, expand your ideas, and shape your career. As a Commander, Paramedic Services, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across paramedic services, ensuring safe, high‑quality emergency response and system performance. You’ll guide teams, oversee programs and resources, and drive continuous improvement while coordinating with leadership and partners to support effective, compliant, and responsive community care. Big vision. Real opportunities. Unlimited potential. That’s Norfolk.

Requirements

Must be qualified to work as a paramedic and meet all requirements of the Ambulance Act of Ontario.
Current base hospital certification as a Primary Care Paramedic or above.
Minimum of five (5) years of paramedic field experience, involving technical use of emergency vehicles and equipment, administering therapeutic care to patients, and experience in Community Paramedicine.
Minimum two (2) years of management or leadership experience working in a unionized environment, within a complex paramedic, healthcare, or emergency services environment, with accountability for operations, community programs, service quality, logistics and support systems.
Must possess and maintain a valid Province of Ontario Class “F” driver’s license and comply with the driving record requirements outlined in the Ambulance Act throughout employment.
Access to a reliable vehicle including the ability to provide a drivers abstract when requested during the recruitment process.
Willingness to attain Health and Safety Certification and Incident Management System (IMS-200) Certification.
Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.
Comprehensive knowledge of high-performing paramedic service systems, including deployment models, system status management, resource allocation, and emergency response requirements within a municipal paramedic service environment.
Thorough understanding of applicable legislation, standards, and regulatory requirements governing paramedic services in Ontario, including the Ambulance Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, Highway Traffic Act, Coroner’s Act and associated regulations.
Proven experience leading, mentoring, managing and supporting a unionized workforce, including interpretation and application of collective agreements, as well as managing investigations, discipline, conflict resolution, and grievance processes.
Intermediate analytical and problem-solving capability, including the ability to assess operational and program data, identify trends, evaluate risk, and recommend and implement effective system-level improvements.
Ability to lead and support quality improvement initiatives, including auditing, performance monitoring, program evaluation, and implementation of corrective actions across clinical, operational, and program areas.
Ability to provide strong, visible leadership in a complex, high-demand, and highly regulated service environment, setting expectations, driving accountability, and maintaining performance under pressure.
Sound judgement and decision-making ability in dynamic and time-sensitive environments, including emergency response, incident command, and system disruption scenarios.
Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust, credibility, and collaboration across all levels of the organization and with external partners, including the preparation of reports and briefings for department and council.
Strong organizational and management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple concurrent priorities, programs, and service areas, ensuring coordination, follow-through, and delivery of results.
Demonstrated ability to foster innovation and lead change initiatives that improve service delivery, organizational effectiveness, and system outcomes.
Demonstrated experience in resource and program management, including purchasing, inventory control, fleet readiness, and preventive maintenance coordination.
Knowledge of corporate processes and administrative functions, including purchasing, reporting, policy development, and program administration within a municipal environment.
Knowledge of occupational health, safety, and wellness programs, with the ability to ensure compliance and promote a safe and healthy work environment.
Commitment to professionalism, service excellence, continuous improvement, and alignment with organizational values.
Computer expertise in corporate standard software (Microsoft Office) and department-specific systems, including electronic patient care reporting, scheduling systems, and data analysis tools.
Must be aware of safe work practices as they relate to job responsibilities and work environment, with a solid understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Nice To Haves

Continuing education in business/health administration, adult education, or Emergency Management would be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, oversight and accountability of assigned operational, program, and support service areas within Norfolk County Paramedic Services.
Ensures safe, effective, and reliable service delivery and is accountable for performance, compliance, and resource management while leading planning, system improvement, and alignment with organizational priorities.
Contributes to the development and implementation of short, medium, and long-term service plans, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and evolving community needs.
Provides operational insight and recommendations to Deputy Chiefs to inform system design, performance improvement, and organizational strategy.
Leads and supports the design, development, and implementation of new programs, initiatives, and service models to address emerging demands and future service requirements.
Promotes innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and system performance.
Leads organizational change initiatives, ensuring effective planning, communication, and implementation across assigned areas.
Provides leadership and oversight of paramedic service delivery, ensuring safe, effective, and reliable emergency response across the system.
Directs deployment, utilization, and readiness of staff, fleet, and equipment in alignment with approved deployment plans and service requirements.
Monitors service demand, system pressures, and response performance, recommending and implementing operational adjustments to maintain service continuity.
Participates in emergency preparedness, special event planning, contingency planning, and disaster response activities, including multi-agency coordination and Emergency Operations Centre activations.
Participates in on-call rotations and responds to emergency incidents, assuming command roles and supporting complex or large-scale events.
Acts on behalf of the Deputy Chief as assigned, providing continuity of leadership, decision-making, and operational oversight.
Oversees assigned programs and functional areas, including education, Community Paramedicine, quality assurance, logistics, and operational support services.
Ensures programs are delivered in alignment with legislative requirements, organizational priorities, and service standards.
Monitors program performance, identifies gaps, and implements improvements.
Contributes to the development and implementation of policies, procedures, education material and operational guidelines.
Oversees the planning, development, and delivery of education and training programs to ensure staff maintain required competencies and certifications.
Identifies learning needs and knowledge gaps based on performance trends, clinical requirements, and changes in legislation or standards, and ensures appropriate training responses are developed and implemented.
Supports the development, review, and continuous improvement of curriculum, training materials, and educational programs in alignment with service and regulatory expectations.
Leads, mentors, and supports Superintendents in the supervision, performance management, and development of paramedic staff.
Ensures consistent and equitable application of collective agreements, policies, and procedures.
Manages performance, attendance, conduct, and workforce-related matters, including investigations, return to work, accommodation, and workforce planning, in collaboration with Human Resources.
Promotes a culture of professionalism, accountability, continuous learning, and employee wellbeing.
Supports certification processes, peer support programs, and staff engagement initiatives.
Monitors and evaluates operational, clinical, and program performance through data analysis, reporting, and quality assurance processes and drives informed decision making.
Leads and supports quality improvement initiatives, including auditing and program evaluation.
Ensures compliance with all applicable legislation, standards, policies, and accreditation requirements.
Oversees incident reviews, investigations, and service concerns, ensuring timely and appropriate resolution.
Manages escalated concerns and complex, sensitive, or high-risk issues, ensuring appropriate coordination, documentation, and response.
Conducts analysis and reporting to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
Prepares and presents reports, briefing materials, and performance updates to Deputy Chiefs, and contributes to corporate and Council reporting as required.
Ensures confidentiality, privacy, and secure handling of information in accordance with MFIPPA, PHIPA, and related legislation.
Leads or supports provincial service reviews, inspections, and audits, including implementation of recommendations.
Oversees fleet, equipment, facilities, and supply management through established systems and supervisory staff.
Maintains oversight of assets within assigned areas, including lifecycle planning, replacement strategies, and long-term sustainability.
Ensures effective inventory control, purchasing, and preventive maintenance processes are in place.
Recommends, monitors, and reports on budgets within assigned areas, ensuring expenditures are controlled and aligned with approved funding and service priorities.
Monitors resource utilization and ensures fiscal responsibility.
Leads procurement processes, including specification development, participation in RFP/RFQ processes, vendor evaluation, and contract administration.
Ensures effective supply chain and distribution processes are in place to support operational readiness.
Maintains effective working relationships with municipal leadership, Council, provincial ministries, Base Hospitals, dispatch, hospitals, emergency services, and community partners.
Acts as a liaison between operational staff, leadership, corporate services, and external partners.
Represents the service on committees, working groups, and interagency initiatives as required.
Ensures coordination and integration of programs and services across operational, program, and corporate functions to optimize patient outcomes, system integration, and service effectiveness.
Maintains confidentiality in accordance with legislation and organizational policies.
Performs other duties as assigned.