Division Chief Calgary

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 dispatch, ground ambulance, aeromedical response, and specialized clinical programs, EHS-AB delivers coordinated emergency care across diverse urban and rural communities. The Calgary Zone Division Chief plays a critical leadership role in ensuring safe, responsive, and effective ambulance services within one of Alberta’s largest and most complex metropolitan service areas. Reporting to the Chief of Operations, the Division Chief provides operational leadership for EHS-AB ground ambulance services in the Calgary zone. Leading a multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1,500 frontline staff and leaders, this role oversees high-demand urban operations while ensuring operational readiness, workforce support, and alignment with provincial priorities. Working closely with partners across EHS-AB, hospitals, municipalities, and public safety agencies, the Division Chief helps ensure coordinated emergency response and high-quality patient care. Alberta’s integrated provincial model offers a unique opportunity for experienced operational leaders to influence system performance, strengthen workforce culture, and help shape the future of emergency medical services in Canada. This competition may be used to fill other leadership roles.

As the Calgary Division Chief, you are accountable for the leadership, management, and operational performance of EHS-AB ground ambulance services within a major urban service area. This position oversees day-to-day ambulance operations, responding to an average of 500 daily events, while advancing the strategic provincial direction and operational priorities of EHS-AB and Acute Care Alberta. Leading a workforce of more than 1,500 paramedics, leaders, and support personnel, with an annual operating budget of $110 million, you are responsible for ensuring effective resource deployment, operational readiness, and the safe, reliable delivery of emergency health services in high-demand urban and rural environments. This role provides leadership that fosters a respectful, psychologically safe, and meaningful workplace where staff are supported to do their best work in service of patients and communities. Working 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 the province. This role builds and sustains strong partnerships with hospitals and staff, municipal agencies, public safety partners, and community stakeholders to support coordinated emergency response and patient care. This position requires a leader who demonstrates authentic, values-based leadership and the ability to guide a large workforce through continued cultural evolution within EHS-AB. The Division Chief champions systems and decisions that put people and patients first, with a strong commitment to developing confident operational leaders and fostering a culture grounded in safety, accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence.

A minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience within EMS, healthcare operations, or a large public safety organization. Change management certification or demonstrated experience in applying change management principles to core business activities and strategic initiatives. Experience leading large operational teams in complex, high-demand environments, ideally within emergency response 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 able to collaborate effectively with healthcare leaders, government representatives, public safety partners, and community interest holders. Experience managing within unionized environments. Demonstrated commitment to authentic, values-based leadership.

A bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary educational institution in health sciences, leadership or a related field. Two-year, post-bachelor Graduate degree in health administration, business administration, leadership or a related filed. Paramedic registration and/or operational EMS experience. Experience with provincial or regional emergency response coordination. Demonstrated experience leading organizational change, operational improvement, or system transformation initiatives.