Manager, Fire Safety and Ground Operations, Facilities Management – Permanent Full-Time (1.0)

Compensation Pay Range:

Job Description:

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received. 

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.
 
CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.
 
Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, the Manager, Fire Safety and Ground Operations, is responsible for the planning, coordination, and compliance of CHEO’s Fire and Life Safety Program, grounds maintenance, helipad operations, pest control, and workplace safety functions. The Manager ensures all CHEO facilities, community sites, and outdoor areas are safe, operationally ready, and fully compliant with applicable codes, standards, and regulations.

The Manager oversees fire prevention and training programs, as well as the inspection and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems, and conducts monthly fire drills, serving as the primary liaison with local fire services. Additionally, the Manager is responsible for directing ground maintenance, ice removal, storm water control, landscaping, and external infrastructure. Furthermore, the Manager ensures safe and compliant helipad operations in accordance with Transport Canada requirements, oversees pest control activities, and enforces workplace safety policies across the Facilities Maintenance and Planning Department (FMPD), including snow and ice removal.

Overall, the Manager applies technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and leadership skills to safeguard patients, families, staff, and visitors in a complex healthcare environment. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Ottawa.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Fire and Life Safety Program Management:

• Leads CHEO’s Fire Safety Program to ensure compliance with Ontario Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and accreditation requirements. Maintains the Fire Safety Manual, Fire Orders, statistics, and inspection records for the CHEO complex as well as off-site locations.
• Conducts routine inspections of alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, hose cabinets, and related systems. Manages repairs, replacements, service contracts, and annual S1001 testing in a high-risk institutional setting.
• Investigates fire alarms and false alarms, prepares incident reports, and coordinates familiarization tours and joint safety reviews with local fire departments.
• Reviews engineering and construction plans for compliance. Oversees hot work permitting, inspections, and enforcement of related safety measures.
• Plans and delivers fire safety training for the Fire Response Team, security personnel, and staff, including evacuation procedures, alarm panel operations, and firefighting equipment use.
• Leads monthly fire drills, new staff orientations, emergency code exercises (i.e., Code Brown, Code Red), and fire safety awareness campaigns. Maintains accurate training and compliance records.

Workplace Safety and Compliance:

• Develops, implements, and enforces safety policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and hazard control measures for the FMPD Department.
• Conducts hazard assessments, reviews safety-related reports, maintains confined and interstitial space records, and ensures adherence to Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
• Organizes safety training, deploys hazard signage, and ensures safe work practices in all FMPD operations.
• Supports emergency preparedness, participates in Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings, and maintains audit-ready documentation.

Grounds, Pest Control, and Helipad Operations:

• Oversees and directs the maintenance of all outdoor areas, including landscaping, trees, parking lots, roadways, walkways, and fire routes.
• Manages snow, ice, storm water, and sewage removal to ensure safe year-round access to building entrances, the helipad, and emergency routes.
• Oversees pest control programs in compliance with public health and infection prevention standards. Maintains thorough inspection and treatment records.
• Ensures helipad readiness and compliance with Transport Canada regulations through routine inspections of surface integrity, lighting, markings, and firefighting equipment.
• Coordinates with air ambulance providers, security, and clinical teams to support safe landings and departures. Maintains operational documentation and training records, including NOTAM (Notice to Airmen/Notice to Air Missions) issuance.

Leadership and Operational Oversight:

• Leads facility operations initiatives and manages budgets to ensure timely, cost- effective service delivery.
• Hires, trains, and evaluates technical and operational staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Promotes professional development, cross-training, and compliance readiness to strengthen operational resilience.
• Participates in on-call rotation, supports after-hours incident resolution, and contributes to emergency response, investigations, and business continuity planning.

Contracts, Service Providers, and Stakeholder Management:

• Manages service contracts and vendor relationships for fire safety systems, grounds services, helipad maintenance, pest control, and related programs.
• Participates in procurement requests (RFX), negotiates service agreements, monitors vendor performance, and ensures compliance with CHEO policies, technical specifications, and service level expectations.
• Coordinates with internal stakeholders and external partners to resolve issues, monitor compliance, and address incidents effectively.

Capital Project, Innovation, and Documentation:

• Maintains up-to-date as-built documentation, single-line diagrams, and operations and maintenance (O&M) manuals to support planning, troubleshooting, and compliance.
• Coordinates readiness documentation, system manuals, and technical onboarding of operations staff.
• Enforces base-building standards, design guidelines, and operational frameworks for fire/ and life safety, workplace safety, and related infrastructure.
• Provides subject matter expertise during project design, construction, and commissioning phases. Participates in design reviews and project meetings to ensure compliance and operational readiness.
• Analyzes trends, forecasts replacement needs, and aligns asset insights with capital planning and maintenance schedules.
• Leads the evaluation, deployment, and integration of new technologies or regulatory changes to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) year Technical Diploma or Certificate in Fire Protection, Security, Facilities Management, or related field. (Essential)
• Certification in Fire Prevention, Fire Protection Engineering, or Fire Safety (e.g., NFPA, CFAA, Ontario Fire College) (Essential)
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant and related experience. (Essential)
• Experience of two (2) years with contract management and vendor performance oversight. (Essential)
• Experience of one (1) year of managing grounds maintenance, snow/ice control, or outdoor facility operations in a large institutional setting is preferred. (Preferred)
• Knowledge of Transport Canada helipad regulations, Ontario Building Code, Fire Code, and NFPA standards. (Essential)
• Strong understanding of workplace safety legislation and best practices. (Essential)
• In-depth knowledge of fire safety systems, evacuation procedures, and emergency response protocols. (Essential)
• Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills. (Essential)
• Ability to work in high-pressure situations while ensuring compliance and safety. (Essential)
• Skilled in training program development and delivery. (Essential)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. (Essential)
• Inclination to create public awareness for fire life safety through events and campaigns. (Essential)
• Proficiency in software systems such as Microsoft Office, Chubb Fireworks, Siemens System, and Edwards System. (Essential)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (English/French) (Preferred)

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process.  This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.    

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.