Meet the People
 Cynthia Teo - Financial Services Officer, Finance & Administration
The JIBC treats its employees fairly, is concerned about the wellness of staff and encourages a work/life balance for employees as far as possible. People who work here show respect to each other and most importantly there is no racial or any kind of discrimination whatsoever. The JIBC has been hiring a lot more people who would be considered “visible minorities”, as well as giving a fair chance to people who are physically challenged.
Every year the JIBC sets aside funds for staff for professional development. Since joining the JIBC in 1989, I've had opportunities to take courses to upgrade my computer skills, payroll courses, attend work related seminars and conferences. Being a post-secondary institution, the JIBC encourages its employees to continue to grow through learning. 2005 marked the first year of the annual Staff Professional Day – Knowledge and Beyond – which truly is a day of learning and fun for all employees.
The JIBC moved from its original Jericho campus on 4 th Avenue, Vancouver, and the New Westminster campus was officially opened on June 23, 1995. I was one of the academy/division representatives who participated as Honour Guard at the Opening Ceremony on that day. I was amazed by the comments from people who were not aware of the breadth and depth of programs that the JIBC offered and the opportunity we had to make them aware.
The JIBC is a world-class post-secondary institution and is internationally recognized for the many special areas of expertise in training and education for those who make communities safe. I never hesitate, and in fact it's always my honour, to tell people what we do here at the JIBC. From time to time, I hear positive and rewarding comments from outside for the wonderful work we do. Coming to work everyday, you see friendly and smiling faces that brighten up your day. It's what you call the JI spirit ! I am proud to be a JIBC employee.
 Sukhi Brar - Stores Clerk, Paramedic Academy
I applied for a job at the JIBC because of the good benefits and excellent working environment. The JIBC trains people in life saving skills and I was looking for a job where I could help save lives for a living.
I really like that the JIBC understands the need for a fair life/work balance. I also feel empowered to make decisions and that my opinions are important. I like the flexible work environment and casual dress. It's a very safe, nice, clean and friendly place to work.
The JIBC believes in providing opportunities for its employees to upgrade their skills with internal or external education. I joined the JIBC team about 5 months ago and already had an opportunity to complete a Finance Basics course, and start a computer upgrade course at BCIT.
As a new member of the JIBC team, I already feel very confident at my job. I can make my own decisions and get full support from my manager to make any work place improvements. It is a very independent and friendly working environment where I always look forward to coming to work every morning.
It's a teamwork environment at the JIBC. You get full support from your peers. Due to flexible working hours you don't have to sacrifice your family responsibilities while you work. It feels good to work for the JIBC because you always feel like you are helping to make our community a safer place for living.
 Marcela Hernandez - Manager, Web & Data Application Services, Technology Services
I started working the Justice Institute of BC after moving from Bogota, Colombia almost six years ago. At that point I was looking for a job in a new country and saw a newspaper advertisement where the JIBC was recruiting for a Systems Administrator. I thought this position would be a good fit for me as it was in the field where I had worked for several years in Colombia. I started researching and found that the JIBC was an educational institution where ‘people who made communities safe' were trained. I read about how much the JIBC had grown over the past years as well as the people who were being trained here and thought it would be a nice place to work. To this day I am thankful for the day when I decided to apply for a job at the JIBC.
Working at the JIBC has been an enriching experience both in my personal and professional life. Even though each division works with different disciplines, JIBC staff is committed to excellence and that is something I see everyday when I come to work. Everyone is willing to go that extra mile to provide students with the best training and education.
I enjoy working in a positive environment where I always see a smile even on a bad day. I am excited about my work, I enjoy it and believe that others in my division feel the same.
The JIBC has allowed me to expand my role and each time take on higher levels of responsibility. It is easy for me to come to work everyday because I am doing work that I really enjoy and where I have a huge opportunity to grow. I have also been supported in all my initiatives to develop my professional skills. The work I do at the JIBC is in itself an enriching experience as I am challenged everyday with new initiatives.
When I started working at the JIBC I knew nothing about the Canadian culture. It always amazes me how open my co-workers are eager to learn about my culture and teach me about Canada. I soon found that the JIBC encourages new ideas and professional development for their employees. In 2004 I received the President's Award for my contribution to the JIBC and for exemplifying the JIBC values. This award strengthened me to take on more challenges and responsibilities. I am now the Manager of the Web & Data Application Services in our Technology Services department where we face new challenges everyday.
The best part about working at the JIBC is the opportunity to work with great people and experience multiple projects and initiatives. Each new initiative introduces me to a new challenge. In each and every project I acquire and apply new skills. I have broadened my experience with each project I have undertaken at the JIBC and it amazes me how much I now know about the JIBC and how much I still have to learn from it.
 Blake Smith - Facilities Manager, Maple Ridge
I was quite young when I started working as a technician at the Justice Institute's Fire and Safety Training Center in Maple Ridge. At the time it was easily the best job opportunity that I had, both in terms of pay and the quality of the work itself. Aside from the excitement of lighting fires and simulating various emergencies, it was also a job that had an obvious social value. I was able to be involved with training emergency responders that the community relies on, and not have to sell things to people they didn't need or make junk destined for obsolescence in a landfill.
I get job satisfaction from the feeling that the work is worthwhile and valuable to the outside world. In my 12 years here, there have been many opportunities to meet people from different walks of life and places in the world as well as occasional opportunities to see places in BC that I would never have had a chance to see otherwise. I like the fact that I've been able to take on new challenges which have given me a whole new set of things to learn and will keep me busy for years.
My opportunity for job growth has been uniquely excellent. In the last 12 years I've been able to progress from a casual entry level position into a management role, and there have been education opportunities both within and outside the organization. What I've been able to learn from people working here is really quite amazing. The campus that I work at is one of the largest of its kind. The breadth of disciplines and clientele within the community of emergency response groups that we work with is unique. There certainly isn't any other place in Canada exactly like us and with that comes a wealth of information that would probably be impossible to get anywhere else.
People tend to find it funny that I was a “professional public sector arsonist” for many years. Once I had to ignite a large pond of diesel fuel with a signal flare to test a proto-type amphibious rescue vehicle. The machine was intended to be used to rescue oil-rig workers who might fall, for whatever reason, into burning fuel slicks in the ocean. Consequently it had to withstand being surrounded by burning fuel for a specified period of time. It's those kinds of experiences that make working at the JIBC unique!
 Jerome Rodriguez - Coordinator ICS, Emergency Management Division
I was formerly involved in onsite training and was recommended to apply for a position at the JIBC. I was attracted to the JIBC due a positive experience as a former student, and the high quality of instruction received when taking courses. The opportunity to travel, interact with persons from a variety of backgrounds, teach to a larger, more diverse group, and improve my skill set brought me back.
I love the “family” atmosphere. I really do feel like a part of an extended family. Having worked for three different JIBC divisions, I have enjoyed many positive experiences and made lifelong friendships. I also love the “casual professionalism” at the JIBC. Staff and faculty are very knowledgeable and well known and also very personable and approachable. Many times, they have gone out of their way to assist with research, organization, and presentation.
I have had many opportunities to train with various agencies and trainers that would not have been easily available in my prior position. The JIBC has supported and assisted me in completing my Provincial Instructors Diploma, as well as certificates in Stress Management and Emergency Management. I am currently pursuing a degree in Adult Education with the support and assistance of the JIBC.
I really like the variety: training students in the Yukon at -30°c one day… students from the Persian Gulf the next. To me the interaction with learners and instructors from all over the world is memorable. I recall being asked to deliver a short presentation for local law enforcement. Later we found out that members of the Australian Government were in attendance and enjoyed the presentation. You never know who you may be helping.
Any given day might find me in the gym, enjoying breakfast in the cafeteria, running with a group, watching a new DVD in the library, playing basketball, instructing, learning. The JIBC has something for everyone.
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