Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Community Safety Program Manager, Community Standards & Compliance, with Community Safety.
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
Reporting to the Director, Community Standards & Compliance, the Community Safety Program Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the operational areas of the Crossing Guard Program and the Lake Safety Patrol and Lifeguard Services contract.
The incumbent will manage the Crossing Guard Program which consists of three supervisors and 200 crossing guards that are responsible for safety of pedestrians at all crosswalk locations throughout HRM. Many of these locations have public safety considerations and are heavily utilized by elementary and junior high aged students. The Program Manager is accountable to ensure the program is delivered in a fair, equitable, safe and inclusive manner to meet the needs of all schools within HRM. The Manager is also accountable to meet Council and Administrative priorities, foster a safe and inclusive work environment, lead the evaluation of the crosswalk service and make improvements/adjustments where needed. The incumbent must be capable of communicating with all levels of management within the organization, provincial government partners and elected officials.
The Program Manager will oversee the Request for Proposal, Contract Award, operational oversight, and annual evaluation of the successful proponent for the Lake Safety Patrol and Lifeguards Services contract. This service runs from July to the end of August on Lakes Banook and Micmac in Dartmouth and as required on other lakes in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The Program Manager will be accountable for leading an efficient and effective program that provides timely and responsive service to the residents of HRM. The Program Manager will be required to meet service standards and demonstrate an ability to evaluate performance against established standards. In addition, the Manager works closely with labour relations and union representatives on collective agreement matters and bargaining.
It is expected that the incumbent has a genuine appreciation for and understanding of protocol, discretion, professionalism and public safety. In addition, the incumbent must have the ability to interpret and make informed decisions in accordance with HRM policies and procedures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management
- Accountable for managing the financial, physical and human resources of several million dollars to enhance services.
- Prepares section business plans in line with business unit, Council Focus Areas and Community and Administrative Outcome Areas.
- Implements and achieves short- and long-term goals as outlined in the business plans.
- Facilitates the development, implementation and re-engineering of internal standard operating procedures.
- Ensures compliance with Labour Laws and safety standards.
- Negotiates contractual services with external service providers in consultation with Finance and Legal business units.
- Accountable for ensuring consistent, fair application of the Crossing Guard Criteria.
- Responsible as lead in writing, reviewing and amending the by-laws specific to this section's regulatory responsibility.
Financial Management
- Manages an operating budget and prepares and submits budget for approval.
- Creates detailed work plans identifies project costs, deliverables, resource allocation, benefits and schedules for implementation and evaluation.
- Manages monthly projections.
- Approves operating purchases up to $25,000.
- Monitors and evaluates service delivery/plans in relation to the budget and implements improvements.
Leadership
- Develops and implements short- and long-term business plans.
- Recommends and presents policy changes to Regional Council for approval. Develops and implements internal policies and standard operating procedures within the service areas.
- Works with managers of other business units to achieve corporate outcomes.
- Collaborates in the development of the strategic direction for the division.
- Sets priorities on the delivery of services and ensures service level standards are met.
- Manage and set priorities for three Supervisors and accountable for 200 Crossing Guards, all in safety sensitive positions.
- Facilitates change to enhance effectiveness and efficiency through process improvements.
- Leads through integrity, credibility and by example.
- Ensures employees have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
- Sets goals through consulting others with a vested interest and provides a supportive environment to achieve deliverables.
Service Delivery
- Evaluates the section's customer service standards against the corporate standards on an on-going basis.
- Attend community meetings to address resident concerns/ issues with Cross Walks.
- Responds to daily concerns, issues and requests of Regional Councillors.
- Responsible for overseeing and managing needs of crosswalk users for over 160 cross walks.
- Prepares and presents reports to Regional and Community Councils.
- Interacts sensitively and respectfully with diverse individuals and groups.
- Attends special interest/community group meetings to address service delivery concerns.
- Promotes a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Collaborates with other levels of government whose activities impact service delivery.
- Collaborates with HRCE on cross walk service delivery needs.
- Provides strategic oversight and timely updates to the Crossing Guard Program and Lake Safety Patrol & Lifeguard Services websites.
- In collaboration with Corporate Communications, oversees marketing, promotional, and communication plans for the Crossing Guard Program & Lake Safety Patrol and Lifeguard Services.
- Maintains and updates the GIS map of Crossing Guard locations.
- Approves and assesses the need for the addition or removal of crossing guard locations, including analyzing data, advising counsellors and residents of changes, and following policy requirements.
- Responsible for escalated calls for client issues, concerns, and suggestions for Crossing Guard Program & Lake Safety Patrol and Lifeguard Services.
- Manages the Everbridge account for the Crossing Guard Program.
Corporate Occupational Health and Safety
- Ensures team compliance with HRM Corporate Occupational Health & Safety policies, Business Unit (BU) specific safety policies, the NS Occupational Health & Safety Act and the safety regulations applicable to the work activity.
- Ensures that equipment, machines, facilities and materials are maintained in a safe operating condition.
- Reports accidents, incidents and near miss events to the BU Director and the HRM Corporate Safety Group.
- Ensures workplace hazard assessment processes/procedures are carried out and that documents are completed which can be used to track/identify and monitor unsafe conditions as per established procedures.
- Takes appropriate corrective measures as needed and required.
- Supervises and advises staff on actual and/or potential workplace hazards for the development, implementation and monitoring of safe work procedures and practices and sources appropriate training as required.
- Promotes and encourages staff participation, involvement and cooperation with management and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) in the development of effective safe work procedures and practices resulting in a successful HRM Occupational Safety Program.
- Serves as HRM's representative in the pre-season safety meeting with HRM boat clubs affected by the Lake Safety Patrol and Lifeguard Services contract
- Serves as the management lead on the JOHSC, ensuring agendas and minutes are prepared and distributed.
- Represents the School Crossing Guard Program on the Road Safety Committee, influencing policy and safety initiatives.
- Recommends to Traffic Services on improvements to crossing guard locations to enhance public safety.
- Seeks advice from the Corporate Safety Group as required and needed.
Human Resource Management
- Coordinates, assigns and monitors work performance.
- Manages attendance.
- Reviews and approves leave requests, overtime, call ins, etc.
- Submits and approves payroll.
- Provides direction, support and coaching to employees in achieving service deliverables.
- Recruits, hires, trains, develops, and provides orientation training to new employees.
- Coordinates corporate orientation days, including corporate training, for the School Crossing Guard Program.
- Ensures employees are knowledgeable about HRM policies and procedures (i.e. Workplace Rights, Occupational Health & Safety, etc.) and ensures compliance.
- Evaluates employee performance and takes corrective action, including disciplinary action, as required. Makes effective recommendations with regards to termination of employment.
- Effectively administers collective agreement and serves as the Step 2 responder in the complaint resolution/grievance process.
- Provides and recommends training and professional development for employees.
- Provides leadership in the development of a positive work environment and promotes professional behaviour in relationships.
- Conducts performance evaluations.
- Mediates conflicts between employees and with the public.
- Recognizes employee success, performance, contributions, improvements, etc.
- May perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
- Undergraduate degree in Business Administration or Public Administration or a related discipline.
- Minimum of five (5) years of management experience.
- Demonstrated experience in managing a budget.
- Demonstrated experience managing a unionized workforce.
Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:
- Ability to work as a team leader and/or team member in a diverse environment.
- Ability to make decisions relative to urgency, importance and public scrutiny.
- Demonstrated organizational, supervisory and administrative abilities.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate both written and orally.
- Ability to prioritize and co-ordinate a multitude of tasks and responsibilities.
- Ability to set goals through consulting others with a vested interest and provide a supportive environment to achieve deliverables.
- Ability to present to Regional Council, Community and Staff groups.
- Knowledge of standard software and technology.
- Knowledge and skills related to budget preparation and financial management.
- Knowledge and skills related to human resource management and labour relations.
- Knowledge of quality front-line customer service principles and safety standards.
- Knowledge and experience related to enforcement.
Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.
Please note - Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.
Competencies: Valuing Diversity, Decision Making, Developing Others, Networking/relationship Building, Managing Change, Communications, Vision, Strategic Thinking, & Innovation.
WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time.
HOURS OF WORK: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm, 35 hours per week. There is flex work options with this position.
SALARY: Level 7, Non-Union, from ($83,729 - $108,353).
WORK LOCATION: 7 Mellor Ave, Dartmouth.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday August 30, 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 of 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 #72294466)