Division Chief

Emergency Health Services - Alberta (EHS-AB) is one of Canada’s largest and most integrated emergency medical systems, providing life-saving care to more than 750,000 Albertans each year. Through a province-wide model that brings together communications, ground ambulance, aeromedical response, and specialized clinical programs, EHS-AB delivers coordinated emergency and interfacility care across diverse urban and rural communities. Dispatch Coordination and Deployment plays a critical role within the system, serving as the first point of contact for Albertans in need of emergency medical assistance. EHS-AB’s provincial dispatch system manages approximately 2,000 calls and events each day through three primary dispatch centres and one satellite centre. These centres provide call-evaluation, triage, and resource coordination functions that ensure the right care and response are delivered as quickly and effectively as possible across the province. Reporting to the Chief of Operations, the Division Chief, Dispatch Coordination and Deployment provides operational leadership for the provincial EMS dispatch system. Leading a multidisciplinary workforce of more than 300 emergency communications officers, leaders, and support personnel, this role oversees high-demand communications operations while ensuring operational readiness, workforce support, and alignment with provincial priorities.

As the Division Chief, Dispatch Coordination and Deployment, you are accountable for the leadership, management, and operational performance of EHS-AB’s provincial EMS dispatch system. This role oversees the day-to-day operations of three provincial dispatch centres that manage approximately 2,000 calls and events each day, while advancing the strategic priorities of EHS-AB and Acute Care Alberta. Leading a workforce of more than 300 emergency communications officers, leaders, and support staff, you are responsible for ensuring effective call-evaluation, triage, and coordination of interfacility and emergency medical resources across the province. The role ensures operational readiness, supports workforce well-being, and maintains the safe, reliable delivery of emergency communications services in a high-demand, time-critical environment. As part of the EHS-AB Provincial Operations leadership team, the Division Chief contributes to operational planning, performance monitoring, workforce strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen service delivery across Alberta. The position also builds strong partnerships with hospitals, municipalities, public safety agencies, and other dispatch organizations to support coordinated emergency response and system integration. This role requires an authentic, values-based leader who can guide a large workforce through ongoing operational and cultural evolution. The Division Chief champions a people-first approach, developing strong operational leaders and fostering a culture grounded in safety, accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence.

A minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience within EMS communications, healthcare operations, public safety communications, or a large emergency response organization. Demonstrated experience applying change management principles to operational environments and strategic initiatives. Experience leading large operational teams in complex, high-demand environments, ideally within interfacility, emergency communications, dispatch, or healthcare service delivery systems. Experience managing significant financial accountability, including oversight of multi-million-dollar operating budgets. A combination of relevant leadership experience in emergency services or healthcare may be considered.

Ability to lead and develop leaders within large, multidisciplinary and unionized workforces. Experience contributing to operational planning, performance management, and service improvement initiatives. Ability to lead complex organizations through operational change and cultural evolution. Strong relationship-building skills and ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare leaders, government representatives, public safety partners, and community stakeholders. Experience managing within unionized environments and a demonstrated commitment to authentic, values-based leadership.

A bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary educational institution in health sciences, leadership, public safety communications, or a related field. A graduate degree in health administration, business administration, leadership, or a related discipline is considered an asset. Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification and/or operational emergency communications experience is an asset. Experience with provincial or regional emergency response coordination is an asset.