General Manager, Paramedic Services / Paramedic Chief

The City of Guelph • Guelph, ON

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Guelph is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and community focused General Manager / Paramedic Chief to provide visionary leadership to Guelph Wellington Paramedic Services. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services, this role serves as the senior executive responsible for the delivery of high quality emergency and community paramedic services across the City of Guelph and Wellington County, and as a key member of the City’s corporate leadership team.

The General Manager / Paramedic Chief provides strategic direction, operational excellence, and financial stewardship to ensure responsive, innovative, and sustainable paramedic services that meet the evolving needs of our communities. Guided by the City of Guelph’s Strategic Plan and core values—Integrity, Service, Inclusion, Wellness, and Learning—this leader plays a critical role in advancing public safety, strengthening community resilience, and fostering an inclusive, high performing organization.

Requirements

• Completion of a post-secondary degree in Health Sciences field or equivalent. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive management experience within a paramedic service or a comparable emergency services environment.
• Demonstrated senior‑level leadership experience in a unionized environment, including labour relations and collective agreement interpretation.
• Strong leadership capability in emergency operations, with the ability to make sound decisions in high‑pressure situations.
• Eligible and qualified to practice as a Paramedic in Ontario and able to meet all requirements under the Ambulance Act of Ontario, including obtaining required Base Hospital certification within a specified timeframe.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, service delivery oversight, and performance management within a complex public‑sector environment.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable legislation, including the Ontario Ambulance Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including oversight of operating and capital budgets and achievement of performance targets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with staff, senior leadership, partners, elected officials, and the community.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, empowering and accountable work culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and quality customer service.
• Valid Class F driver’s licence with a satisfactory driver’s abstract, and the ability to meet Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in Incident Management System (IMS) 300 or higher both considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible and positive leadership to staff, developing and nurturing a work environment that is inclusive, respectful and motivating for staff.
• Provide strategic leadership to all paramedic services operations, administration, quality assurance, community paramedicine and education.
• Promote an inclusive and respectful workplace culture that values equity, diversity, and staff development through coaching, mentoring, and empowerment.
• Collaborate and liaise with other departments on complementary initiatives to achieve optimum results for the City and residents.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with all stakeholders including the Executive Team, General Managers and all City staff, as well as regional paramedic services, emergency service partners, provincial and federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the department at City and County Council and committee meetings, public events, and in the media as needed.
• Oversee procurement, budgeting, and resource management for equipment, fleet, facilities, and services.
• Participates in a Manager on-call rotation, providing 24/7 support to paramedic supervisors and staff on a rotational basis – may include functioning as a paramedic superintendent as required with all related duties.
• Ensure the service meets all Ministry of Health compliance and certification standards, including oversight of the Service Review process.
• Ensure optimum patient care is provided to communities through evaluation, trend interpretation, advancement of Paramedic skills.
• Establish long-term direction/strategic orientation for the department consistent with the City of Guelph’s Strategic Plan.
• Establish the annual work plan for the department and for staff, evaluate performance, monitor results, and provide coaching, training and development opportunities as needed.
• Promote and monitor Health and Safety for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Ensure compliance with Collective Agreements, City policies, Council resolutions / by-laws and other applicable federal and provincial legislation.
• Ensure operational readiness and compliance with all applicable legislation, including, but not limited to, the Ontario Ambulance Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Respond verbally and in writing regarding issues from members of Council, the general public, media, departments, and customers.
• Recommend staff reports and presentations to the Deputy CAO, communicating information and recommending program changes.
• Responsible for the preparation, presentation and management of the department’s capital and operating budgets; monitor and report budget variance to the Deputy CAO; implement corrective action as required.
• Analyze and optimize both revenue and expenses and pursue grant funding to complement existing budgets. Oversee all relevant reporting to the Ministry of Health, County of Wellington, GW Ontario Health Team and other funding agencies as required.
• Consolidate and review departmental annual work plans and budget with recommendations to the Deputy CAO.
• Ensure compliance with all City policies and bylaws for purchasing/tendering.
• Review calls for tender and purchase requisitions requiring approval for the department on contracted services in accordance with established policies.
• Establish a quality assurance program to monitor the department’s annual performance against established departmental key performance indicators, industry best practices as well as CPER and Ministry of Health requirements. Make recommendations and initiate corrective action as required.

Benefits

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Parental leave top up program
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager