Emergency Support Services (Ess) Deputy Director

ESS provides temporary services including food, clothing, and shelter to preserve the emotional and physical well-being of individuals and families displaced by an emergency. Displaced people may be residents of the local community or request may be made to host evacuees from an outside community. Services may be provided on site, for a small-scale event, or a designated facility for larger responses. ESS generally assists for the initial 72 hours following a disaster or evacuation, but EMBC may authorize assistance beyond the standard 72 hours in extreme cases. The ESS team is overseen by the ESS Director and is comprised of volunteers that bring to the program a variety of skills, interests, and knowledge of the community they service and a genuine desire to help those in need. The goal of ESS is to help people begin to re-establish themselves as quickly as possible after an emergency or disaster. Merritt’s ESS program has a people first mandate.

Core Function of the ESS Deputy Director

The Emergency Social Services Deputy Director (ESSDD) is responsible for supporting the ESS Director (ESSD) in the planning, development, implementation, and management of an ESS program and volunteers to enable the community to respond quickly and effectively in providing essential services to evacuees and responders affected by an emergency or disaster.

The job involves:

• Assisting with and coordinating the delivery of ESS during a response
• Assisting with the management of the ESS team (including recruitment, training, retention, and recognition)
• ‘On call’ for ESS response on a rotational basis
• Assisting with the onboarding of the modernization program from EMBC, ERA
• Assisting with and supervising the work of various ESS sub committees
• Assisting with the management of the program’s day-to-day business
• Assisting with the development and maintenance of the community’s ESS plan

The ESSDD reports to the ESS Director, and the City of Merritt’s Emergency Management Coordinator as required. They may work with EMBC, other regional communities and various organizations and programs (e.g. Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance) to ensure an effective and efficient ESS program.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication, oral and written.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, in collaboration with others.
• Ability to work collectively with community stakeholders, funders, other governmental organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Criminal Record Check.
• Proficient in Word, Outlook, Excel, and other related software.
• Experience with budgets, grants, plan developments, and housing policies.
• An understanding of the issues related to homelessness.
• Certificate, or diploma in a related field preferred.

The ESS Deputy Director position receives a nominal monthly stipend.

Benefits

The ESS Deputy Director position receives a nominal monthly stipend.