About Waterloo Regional Police Service
Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) believes strongly in community policing and is committed to making a difference in the many diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods of Waterloo Region.
WRPS is the seventh largest police service in Ontario and operates under the governance of the Police Services Board and the leadership of Chief Mark Crowell, serving the municipalities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and the Townships of Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich, and North Dumfries.
WRPS is committed to strengthening public safety and quality of life by working in partnership with the community in crime prevention, and law enforcement, and assisting all those who need their help and believe strongly in their vision that if every person contributes to a safe Waterloo Region, current and future generations will thrive.
About the Role
Emergency Services Cooperative Ontario (ESCO) is an IT shared services cooperative led by the Waterloo Regional Police Service with participating police and fire services that share technology services and support staff (Brantford Police, Guelph Police, Stratford Police, South Simcoe Police).
Reporting to the WRPS CIO and ESCO Steering Committee, the Director, ESCO Shared Services will provide strategic IT leadership for its partners to realize ESCO’s vision to be the most scalable, forward-looking public safety shared-services IT provider in Canada, governed by shared principles and leading practices.
The Director, ESCO will ensure the delivery of secure, efficient, effective, and timely tools and applications that enhance public safety by leveraging cost-effective technology, empowering ESCO members to sustainably offer state-of-the-art police and fire services that meet modern demands.
Key Responsibilities
STRATEGIC IT LEADERSHIP
- Developing strategic IT plans and coordinating the assessment, analysis, selection, procurement and implementation of systems, applications, infrastructure, applications, and business solutions that serve the current and future needs of ESCO partners.
- Advising ESCO Steering Committee on IT-related matters, preparing annual reports on ESCO’s progress towards its strategic vision, enhancing service offerings to ESCO partners and nurturing opportunities for collaboration and additional shared services.
- Preparing/delivering business cases and reports for ESCO Steering Committees and Police Service Board meetings, as well as presentations, speeches, and demonstrations internally and externally to various audiences.
- Overseeing the development and maintenance of systems and infrastructure to support ESCO operations with the highest level of security and efficiency while ensuring continuous support, monitoring, maintenance and upgrades with minimal downtime, and the development and execution of disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- Plan, schedule, and assign tasks to team members and serve as project manager on initiatives that impact ESCO partners, staying within scope, schedule, and budget.
- Leading an ESCO IT team that will include Network Administrators/Support Technicians, Programmer Analysts, Data Security Analysts, Database Administrators, and support staff.
- Participating in the recruitment of ESCO staff in coordination with the WRPS Human Resources Branch, establishing performance standards and conducting regular performance evaluations.
- Identifying and procuring training for staff within the approved ESCO budget to meet current and future ESCO needs.
- Establishing a service system to troubleshoot and develop solutions to end-user problems and assigning staff to configure necessary hardware, software and provide end user training, as necessary.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
- Developing/maintaining relationships with ESCO partners and WRPS representatives regarding internal and external IT operations to understands the IT needs of civilians and officers and facilitate expeditious querying, information access and data entry.
- Maintaining a current, well-developed network of contacts within the broader IT sector, consulting regularly with other law enforcement/government agencies to stay abreast of new developments in IT, wireless solutions, and network enhancements.
- Attending continuing education courses to enhance IT knowledge and networking with other public, private, and academic organizations to assess emerging technologies and introduce best practices to improve services and enhance the ESCO image.
BUDGETS, POLICIES AND STANDARDS
- Preparing, monitoring and controlling the ESCO operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the ESCO Finance Committee, reviewing and approving vendor contracts, monitoring systems expenditures and consulting with the Committee on large/critical capital acquisitions including ESCO-wide network hardware and software expenditures and other tools to facilitate the efficient capture, storage, processing, and dissemination of data.
- Implementing policies and procedures to ensure proper documentation and communication of necessary controls between ESCO and the WRPS and identifying and monitoring procedures impacting mandatory telecommunications, legislated Police and Fire standards (internal, external, provincial, and federal), systems, file maintenance and documentation.
- Maintaining and auditing an inventory of ESCO computer equipment/software.
Preferred Background
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics, or the equivalent in education and experience. Master’s degree would be an asset.
- Comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of hardware and software tools and technology including server/network architectures (LANs, WANs, data centres, cloud), cybersecurity practices, programming languages (VB, C++, HTML), applications (Windows, Microsoft Project, ORACLE Si, SQL, XML, ERWIN, ACCESS, GIS Mapping, ERP’s), database administration, web management, data management, telephone and VOIP Infrastructure, CPIC, CPIC MQ, firewall and technical security systems, cybersecurity, PKI, Entrust, mail routing protocols, peripheral and networking/router tools/technology, connectivity, BPS, barcode and card readers, and scanners.
- Knowledge of law enforcement practices, technologies, networks, and systems such as CPIC, PARIS, NCIC, OPTIC, GoNet, computer-aided dispatch/records management systems (CAD/RMS), geographic information systems (GIS), crime mapping, 911 systems and mobile computing would be an asset.
- 8-10 years experience in IT service delivery with a minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience at a senior management level and experience in identifying training requirements, conducting staff meetings, recruiting, performance management and coaching, building, and fostering relationships, and giving sound advice clearly and succinctly regarding IT matters.
- Strong business acumen, particularly in financial management, procurement, tactical planning, and forecasting.
- Relevant certifications (such Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) would be an asset.
- Advanced project management knowledge and experience encompassing policing agencies outside the ESCO group, including project life cycle knowledge.
- A high level of analytical, technical, and organizational skills plus the ability to apply technical concepts to achieve scheduled goals and proven ability to analyze, diagnose, and resolve software and hardware problems.
- Strong people skills – ability to interact with tact, patience, and diplomacy with end users with all levels of computer skill and knowledge, in normal and under highly stressful conditions.
- Capability to work in an environment where continued learning, innovative consulting, elegant technical solutions, and team camaraderie are required daily.
- Skilled in management of multi-agency needs and concerns and in facilitating consensus with multi-agency stakeholders to implement effective IT solutions.
- Communications, human relations, negotiation, and leadership skills to manage, develop, motivate, and support staff in achieving objectives, to advise and supervise staff, describe technical problems, and participate as an effective team leader.
- A valid Class “G” driver’s license with fewer than six demerit points (required to operate a Police Services vehicle) and ability to travel within and outside of the region.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive matters and pass enhanced security clearance requirements.
Diversity and Accommodation
Diversity through inclusion – WRPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodation in completing the application process, or with any portion of the application process or interview, please let us know.
How to Apply
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner, Feldman Daxon Partners
Email: prowan@feldmandaxon.com