Career public servant inspired by service with RCN

Navy News / June 30, 2021

Like most Canadians, Emjay Bailey didn’t know much about the intricacies of submarines.

That all changed in 2019 when she went to work as Chief of Staff at Canadian Submarine Force Headquarters in Esquimalt, B.C.

Originally from Lorretteville, Que., Bailey has worked as a civilian administrator with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for nearly all of her 17 years in the Public Service of Canada.

“I joined for a ‘job’, and received a validating and rewarding career in addition to that job opportunity,” she explains.

Now that three of Canada’s four submarines are back in the water following extended dry dock periods, Canada’s submarine program is busier than ever. Bailey says her position allows her to contribute to something bigger than herself, working in a team and developing a sense of accomplishment. Over the years she has developed the corporate knowledge that makes life easier for those she works with.

“I have learned so much since my arrival and have been given the opportunity to support submarine operations and make meaningful improvements in business procedures and administrative processes,” she says. “I have a sound understanding of how my role fits into the bigger Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) picture, and I understand why it is important and why I matter. That is incredibly valuable from a personal perspective.”

Other highlights from her career with the RCN include her acting assignment leading the Formation Executive Services team, the 2019 MARPAC job fair, project outreach activities in support of MARPAC workforce renewal, and complex human resources activities within the Base Executive.

Bailey says the biggest challenge she faces is the evolving landscape of policies, technology, tools and personnel availability.

“These fluctuating factors affect all elements of our business, from personnel administration to the safety program, and can present a real challenge to navigate at times,” she comments. “We have repeatedly overcome these challenges by working together, exploring and adapting new technology where possible, and prioritizing the ‘to-do list’ to keep things responsive to command intent and deadlines to higher authorities.”

Although she left the RCN in 2014 for a short assignment in another government department, she was happy to get back to the Navy.

“That assignment really opened my eyes to what it can be like outside of the RCN. There was a significant lack of processes and resources available to help employees, from no gyms and no consultative process for union leaders to raise issues to management, to no mediators available to assist employees experiencing conflict. The workforce seemed to be unable to address issues which greatly affected morale and welfare. I felt very differently about going to work when I worked there, and I came back fairly quickly and haven’t left since.”

Bailey has Indigenous ancestry on her father’s side, and understanding and honouring that ancestry and culture has been a meaningful spiritual journey for her. She weaves this heritage into the way she feels about a diverse workplace.

“I have had the privilege of working with Indigenous students and administrators whom I deeply respect and appreciate, both for their courage in speaking honestly from their perspectives, and their commitment to mentorship and inclusivity. Indigenous team members make the fabric of our teams more colourful, diverse and significant.”

She wants to stay with the RCN because she believes it provides “due care and compassionate consideration” to managing all aspects of its civilian workforce, and has continually and proactively invested in her career and provided her with meaningful and challenging employment opportunities.

“Every single activity, no matter how complex, has a policy and some guidance on procedure. Nothing we do is without any kind of roadmap. Being a good administrator for the most part is navigable with some research and planning. If you are faced with something unfamiliar, look up the policy or procedure, and do what it says to do. If it is unclear, reach out to a subject matter expert or colleague for help. The reality is, we can’t ever be truly lost, there’s always a way.”

Bailey strongly encourages anyone interested in a career with the Navy to “go for it”, whether they are considering a career in uniform or as a member of the Public Service supporting the Navy.

“Having been actively involved in civilian workforce renewal and outreach, I may be a bit biased, but regardless of their field or interests, chances are there is a career that is right for them. Our ship and submarine repair facility employs a plethora of trades including electricians, carpenters and welders, and our base employs cooks, crane operators, forklift drivers, IT personnel, safety and environment personal, and administrators. All of these civilian careers allow one to collect a competitive paycheck, work in a responsive and adaptive environment in a collaborative and respectful workplace, and contribute to the activities and priorities of the RCN.”