Director of Public Safety Services

Who We Are

At Avalanche Canada, we're on a mission to encourage and educate people to recreate safely in the winter backcountry by developing, coordinating, promoting, and delivering world-class public avalanche safety programs and services in Canada. 

The Impact You Could Have

Join Avalanche Canada and help lead work that makes a difference in people’s lives. As Canada’s national public avalanche safety organization, we help people make informed decisions in the winter backcountry through trusted forecasts, field observations, and clear public communication. Our team brings together dedicated people who care deeply about the mountains, public safety, and the communities we serve. We value collaboration, respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another. As Director of Public Safety Services, you will help shape that culture while giving our managers and specialists the direction, resources, and support they need to deliver effective services. This is an opportunity for an experienced people leader to strengthen a mission-driven organization and see the impact of their leadership in the work of their colleagues and the safety of backcountry users across Canada.

The Role in Action

As the Director of Public Safety Services (DPSS), you will serve as one of three senior management team members reporting directly to the CEO. In this vital executive leadership role, you will guide and empower department managers across forecasting, field operations, and education and outreach.

This is primarily a high-impact leadership and operational management role rather than a technical specialist position. You will translate organizational strategy into operational priorities, provide department heads with necessary resources, ensure financial discipline, and foster a collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Participate in executive planning, strategy development, budgeting, and performance management as part of the senior management team.
• Advise the CEO on operational performance, risks, and strategic opportunities, serving as acting CEO when designated.
• Model organizational values of integrity, transparency, respect, and accountability.
  

People Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and empower department managers across forecasting, field operations, and education and outreach.
• Establish clear roles, decision-making authority, performance standards, and measurable objectives for direct reports.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and succession planning within public safety services.
  

Operational Coordination & Service Quality

• Translate organizational strategy into coordinated annual and seasonal operating plans.
• Ensure alignment between field activities, forecasting needs, and public communications.
• Oversee operational risk management, staff safety, quality assurance processes, and operational resilience plans.
• Coordinate organizational responses during heightened operational demand or critical events.
  

Resource & Financial Stewardship

• Manage departmental budgets, review monthly financial forecasts, and address budget variances.
• Evaluate resource requests and allocate funding to maximize public safety impact and operational efficiency.
  

External Partnerships & Representation

• Represent Avalanche Canada with partner agencies, funders, research collaborators, and sector stakeholders.
• Oversee operational reports, briefing materials, and funding proposals.

Qualifications:

Required

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Leadership Track Record: Proven leadership experience managing teams, supporting department heads, and handling HR and performance matters.
• Operational Expertise: Background in project planning, financial management, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination.
• Sector Understanding: Sufficient understanding of public avalanche safety to exercise sound judgment, ask informed questions, and respect technical authority.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and cloud collaboration tools.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel as needed for operational visits, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
  

Assets

• Leadership experience in a public safety or comparable service-delivery organization.
• Strong familiarity with the Canadian snow and avalanche sector.
• Experience in public speaking and media relations.
• Professional fluency in both English and French.
  

Key Performance Indicators for Success

Your effectiveness in this role will be measured by your leadership impact and operational coordination:

• Team Delivery: Department managers are empowered, held accountable, and supported in achieving their operational priorities.
• Operational Alignment: Seamless integration across forecasting, field teams, and educational outreach.
• Financial Oversight: Budgets and resources are managed responsibly within target parameters.
• Quality & Safety Assurance: High standards for technical quality, risk management, and emergency readiness are consistently maintained.

Why Join Avalanche Canada

• Be a part of our small mission-driven team doing work that directly protects lives in the backcountry.
• Total compensation package including: flexible and remote-friendly work arrangements for the right candidate, support for professional development, comprehensive health benefits, RRSP matching program including maternity/paternity top-up, paid sick leave above employment standards, pro deals/retail discount program. 

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Avalanche Canada, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work every day. We actively recognize, embrace, and celebrate the differences that make us unique, and foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and supported.  If you require accommodations or adjustments at any stage of the interview process, please let us know and we’ll do our utmost to support you. Avalanche Canada is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.

Our Recruitment Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in one or more interviews and informal conversations with the CEO and members of the leadership team. 

We anticipate offering in the range of $115,000 - $130,000 for this position. 

Application deadline: October 23, 2026

Interviews: October 26-30, 2026

Anticipated start date: November 9, 2026