Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Hazard Risk and Risk Assessment Specialist in the Community Safety Emergency Management Division.
The Hazard and Risk Assessment Specialist is responsible for the coordination of Halifax Regional Municipality’s Hazard Risk & Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) program, working with Community Safety Emergency Management Division and HRM’s Environment & Climate Change Division to ensure the Hazard and Risk Assessment Specialist is integrated with climate change preparedness and the emergency management framework. In addition to leading the development, implementation, and oversight of the HRVA program, this position is also responsible for completing a High-Level Risk Assessment of critical infrastructure in the municipality and facilitating workshops, training and exercises related to community emergency preparedness.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the development and implementation of the HRVA program and share information to inform the overall corporate strategy to mitigate and respond to all related events.
- Collate data, reports, and input from interested parties from across the organization and external partners.
- Develop and implement an HRVA work plan, including an External Engagement Strategy and the establishment of a Steering Committee, Working Group, and Advisory Committees.
- Maintain and refresh the HRVA methodology documentation, worksheets, and profiles.
- Coordinate interested parties’ engagement session (internal/external), workshops, and interviews to collect data to inform the HRVA.
- Utilize data comprised of public facing information and sensitive datasets to make informed technical and/or professional recommendations that have significant short-term and long-term impacts on the project, including identifying hazards, community resilience, assessing likelihood and consequence, prioritizing risk and identifying mitigation strategies.
- Collaboration with internal Business Unit to confirm all climate change data that will be included in the HRVA layers as a risk point.
- Support other Business Units by performing prescribed program management activities following existing processes including internal review of HRVA plan and approved recommendations.
- Deliver required outcomes by working within an established program framework that will be used in the HRVA and Municipal Emergency Plan including community sessions and actions.
- Assist in drafting emergency management documents that support preparedness, mitigation, and recovery efforts.
- Maintain risk assessment data and coordinate with GIS teams to develop visual representation of risk data.
- Assist the HRM Emergency Coordination Centre during activations.
- Assist in community emergency preparedness efforts including training, workshops and exercises.
- Participate in the Emergency Management Duty Officer Program.
- Apply for grant funds and assistance available through Provincial and Federal governments.
- May perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION
Education & Experience:
- Post-secondary degree in Emergency Management, GIS Systems, or an applicable science degree that would pertain to climate change or risk modelling, and 3 years’ experience in conducting and assessing risk assessments.
- OR Diploma in Emergency Management, GIS systems, or an applicable science diploma and 5 years’ experience in conducting and assessing risk assessments.
- Certification in GIS systems or project management considered an asset.
- Knowledge of Hazard Risk & Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) and Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) practices is considered as asset.
- Have and maintain a valid Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence, own and be willing to use personal or HRM vehicle, for work purposes, with reimbursement in accordance with HRM Local Travel Policy.
- Drivers abstract to use HRM vehicle may be required.
Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities
- Ability to lead project teams of various sizes and see them through to completion.
- Ability to deliver presentations and facilitate workshops effectively.
- Building strong relationships with diverse communities.
- Ability to manage conflict and create effective working groups.
- Ability to analyse data from various sources and synthesize reports. Able to complete projects in a timely manner.
- Strong computer literacy skills and knowledge.
- Knowledge of risk management frameworks.
- Knowledge of local government structure and GIS Systems.
- Knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies.
An Equivalent combination of education and experience maybe considered. Applicants relaying on education and experience equivalencies must be clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Security Clearance Requirements: Applicant must be required to complete an employment security screening check.
Please Note: Testing maybe conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing maybe tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.
COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Organizational Awareness, Communications, Analytical Thinking, Risk Management, Organizing & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Networking/Relationship Building, Decision and Making.
WORK STATUS: Permeant, full-time.
HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, 35 hours per week.
SALARY: Non-Union 6, $73,094-$94,587.
WORK LOCATION: 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth NS.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up
to 11:59PM on Sunday, July 12th, 2026.
Please Note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.
To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link; Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax
(Position #78640213)
