Assistant Director, High Risk, Divisional Support and Community Safety

Date Posted: 11/21/2024

Req ID: 40790

Faculty/Division: VP-People Strategy, Equity & Culture

Department: People Strategy, Equity & Culture

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Office of Safety and High Risk at the University of Toronto is a tri-campus office that is mandated to identify and manage high risk and safety concerns related to University students, staff, faculty, and institutional reputation. 

Under the general direction of the Director, High Risk, Community Safety and Crisis & Emergency Preparedness and functional direction of the Director, High Risk & Divisional Support, the incumbent provides case management support for safety situations that impact, or could impact, members of the University community. 

Working closely with the Directors and other Assistant Directors within the portfolio, the incumbent resolves high risk processes involving students, staff, or faculty, and advises members of the senior administration on the University’s response to complex case issues including investigations, workplace safety matters, violence risk, threats, and mental health concerns, and ensures that subsequent case management is compliant with all applicable policies, protocols, and legislative frameworks. The incumbent is responsible for assessing case management needs and the jurisdiction of multiple policies within the legislative framework to determine and make appropriate referrals for support and case management recommendations, identifying and communicating points that require institutional decision making and approvals. 

The incumbent develops integral relationships with tri-campus senior academic leaders and service providers across the University and is expected to exercise excellent judgment and professional discretion in all matters, consulting with the appropriate individuals as needed. The decisions and judgments made by the incumbent involving victims and procedures involving crisis situations impact directly on the safety and wellbeing of individuals. The incumbent acts as a primary contact for consultation, guidance and support on issues related to reputational, safety, violence risk, threats, behavioural and mental health concerns and ensures that subsequent case management is compliant with all applicable policies, protocols and legislative frameworks. 

The incumbent acts as a liaison between the Community Safety Office, the Office of Safety and High Risk and the leadership of the faculty or department where the concern is presenting, providing high-level case briefings, comprehensive case management, consultation, and advice on managing and mitigating a variety of risks of harm, and to ensure that key stakeholders are kept apprised of that status of cases within their jurisdiction. The incumbent supports and managers cases involving community safety needs across the Community Safety Office and the Office of Safety and High Risk Portfolios and will functionally report to other Directors and Assistant Directors on cases within their purviews on an as needed basis.

The Assistant Director is a standing member within the University’s Crisis Framework. The incumbent supports the OSHR in providing expert advice and assistance to faculty, staff and administration on the development of critical indent response protocols and policies within designated faculties. The incumbent works with administrative teams to implement the University’s Crisis Framework at the local level, including the coordination, development and facilitation of a wide range of response plans. The incumbent provides support in responding to and coordinating various activities as a result of crisis situations and/or critical incidents and assumes a critical leadership role for post-incident recovery for designated faculties. 

In addition to working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Bill 132, Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Mental Health Act and the Criminal Code of Canada, the incumbent is familiar with the University of Toronto Code of Student Conduct, Sexual Violence Policy, Residence Codes, Athletics Codes, Human Resources Guideline on Civil Conduct, the Guideline for Employees on Concerns and Complaints Regarding Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment, and the University of Toronto Workplace Violence Program. 

The incumbent works collaboratively with the offices of Campus Safety/Toronto Police Service/Peel Regional Police, Community Safety Office Human Resources, Labour Relations, Workplace Investigations, Office of the University Counsel, Communications, Office of the Vice Provost, Students, Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty, and other central University offices. The incumbent liaises with such services and completes on–site follow up and support, as necessary.

The incumbent maintains timely, detailed, secure, and confidential case files and records, which adhere to all University retention and FIPPA policies.

The incumbent can act as designate for the Director, High Risk, Community Safety and Crisis & Emergency Preparedness, the Director, High Risk & Divisional Support or for the Assistant Director, Community Safety, as required.

Qualifications Required:

I. EDUCATION:

Graduate level University degree in a related field (e.g., Criminology, Psychology, Social Justice), or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. Training on investigative practices, including workplace and sexual violence investigations is an asset. Sound knowledge of domestic, family, and workplace violence, trauma, mental health and disabilities, and criminal issues; knowledge of the evolutionary process of violence and threat risk assessment models, is an asset. Understanding of principles related to personal and workplace safety planning as well as crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Working knowledge of the criminal justice system and family court processes and knowledge of best practices related to addressing personal safety issues.

II. EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 7 years related experience in a university or public sector setting with a combination of managing and providing consultation to senior leaders on matters of workplace safety, with a combination of applied experience in complex case management, investigations/policy processes, crisis counselling, mediation, crisis intervention, violence risk assessment, and community development projects related to violence prevention/education and participation in the development of training workshops and public education. Experience in the areas of student life and academic administration are an asset.

Strong familiarity, understanding and experience in dealing with individuals with mental health issues and illnesses as well as an understanding of principles related to violence risk threat assessment. 

Sound knowledge of intimate partner violence, family violence, sexual and workplace violence, trauma, mental health and disabilities, and criminal issues/processes; knowledge of the evolutionary process of violence and threat risk assessment models. Working knowledge of the criminal justice system and criminal court process. Familiarity with Ontario and Canadian statutes, including: the Criminal Code, Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act; the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act; and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

III. SKILLS:

Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion with a continued commitment to learning and improvement. Excellent oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to assist individuals in crisis; a demonstrated ability to work with clients dealing with violence and trauma. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to exercise patience, tact, diplomacy, and discretion. Ability to strategize, develop and deliver effective presentations. Ability to strategize, develop and deliver effective presentations. Demonstrated ability to relate to students, staff, and faculty that build trust and confidence. Applied computer skills and proficiency with computer applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.). Ability to work across different portfolios and disciplines, adept at managing equitable participation between people, achieving resolution when conflicts arise. Knowledge of ROSI (Repository of Student Information) is an asset.

IV. OTHER:

The incumbent functions effectively in a consultative team environment as well as having the ability to make independent decisions and direct others in critical situations. Ability to think critically and generate creative solutions to problems. Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate concisely both orally and in writing at all levels of an organization, including, preparing reports and delivering presentations to a variety of stakeholders. Ability to manage and resolve escalated conflicts and complaints. Demonstrated ability to manage cases of significant complexity while balancing competing priorities, identify immediate actions, exercise sound judgment, and execute decisions effectively under stress in emergency situations. Excellent research and analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to be decisive and act calmly under pressure. Comfortable working in a fast paced, highly collaborative environment where there is a high consequence of error. Demonstrated commitment to the promotion of equity in the workplace and an ability to work effectively with all constituents in a highly diverse community. Demonstrated ability to manage and regulate self-care and the ability to recognize the limits of one’s own scope of practice.

NOTE: THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT MUST RECEIVE A TORONTO POLICE SECURITY CLEARANCE AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYEMENT.

Closing Date: 12/04/2024, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 — Hiring Zone: $104,818 – $122,290 — Broadband Salary Range: $104,818 – $174,698

Job Category: People Strategy, Equity & Culture

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