Manager, Violence Prevention

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
The Violence Prevention Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a comprehensive violence prevention program for the City of Vancouver. This program includes creating and overseeing policies, procedures, protocols, and training, ensuring consistency while addressing the unique needs of each service area. The Manager’s role is crucial in developing strategies that prevent, mitigate, and reduce the risk of workplace violence in alignment with the City's mission, values, and commitment to employees' physical and psychological well-being. This work also considers the diverse and complex communities served by the City. Key responsibilities include collaborating on developing systematic, strategic, and behavioural approaches to violence prevention. This involves formulating policies and procedures, delivering de-escalation training, and following up on incident responses following legislative requirements, leading practices, and the City's Reconciliation and Equity Frameworks. The Manager ensures that trauma-informed practices are embedded in these processes.

Reporting to the Office of the Chief Safety Officer, the Manager coordinates and evaluates the Workplace Violence Prevention Program, ensuring a safe environment for staff and visitors and maintaining compliance with organizational and legislative standards. This includes conducting violence risk assessments, collaborating with Occupational Health & Safety Specialists, liaising with regulatory agencies, and promoting safe work habits. The Manager supports managers across the organization, in fostering a positive safety culture, tracking performance, and developing action plans to address concerns. Additionally, the role involves assisting in creating workplace violence prevention policies, procedures, and resources and delivering related training and education to staff and managers.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements security and violence prevention programs, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and addressing risks identified in Violence Risk Assessments.
• Leads the application of safety, security, and violence prevention policies and procedures across operations, ensuring consistent risk mitigation and de-escalation strategies.
• Recommends and supports site-specific protective measures based on risk assessments and incident trends.
• Provides expertise and guidance on safety and de-escalation, overseeing security incident investigations and regular audits to mitigate risks.
• Develop and review site security policies, procedures, and safety plans with staff teams.
• Organizes and delivers training programs focused on violence prevention, de-escalation, and managing the psychological and physical impacts of violence.
• Manages accurate record-keeping for security incidents, compliance, staff training, and program metrics.

Project Management & Implementation

• Oversees project work plans, documentation, and reports, ensuring clear communication with stakeholders.
• Plans and monitors staff training to ensure security policies and procedures compliance.
• Collaborates with leadership to set short- and long-term security objectives and track key performance indicators to assess risk and compliance.
• Coordinates the integration of business systems that enhance safety metrics.

Leadership, Collaboration, and Expertise

• Collaborates with security teams and OH&S committees to address safety concerns and implement mitigation strategies.
• Guide leadership on safety practices and coordinate with Protective Services for high-level threat assessments.
• Ensures confidentiality while liaising with departments to strengthen internal and external safety relationships.
• Engages stakeholders in analyzing violence data and developing action plans.
• Represents the organization in dealings with regulatory agencies and advises on compliance with safety standards.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Monitors compliance with violence prevention programs and advises managers on developing action plans.
• Contributes to policy development aimed at reducing workplace violence and injuries, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulations.
• Leverages workplace health and safety expertise to guide compliance, risk management, and prevention initiatives.
• Applies project management and communication skills to engage and educate stakeholders in safety efforts.

Qualifications

• A university degree in a related field, such as OH&S, social sciences, business administration, project management, or a similar discipline, supplemented by security, violence prevention, or occupational health and safety courses. A combination of relevant education and experience may also be considered.
• A minimum of five years of extensive experience in security and violence prevention, preferably in a comparable environment.
• Certification or training in Occupational Health and Safety, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Mental Health First Aid, Overdose Response, Basic or Advanced Security Training, or Project Management. Equivalent certifications shall be considered.
• A security designation (ASIS designation (Certified Protection Professional (CPP) Physical Security Professional (PSP) Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)) or Safety designation (Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST), Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH), Registered Occupational Hygienist Technologist (ROHT), Certified Safety Professional (CSP)) is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven expertise in developing and implementing security and violence prevention programs.
• Extensive knowledge of safety, security, and violence prevention principles and techniques, including de-escalation, crisis intervention, physical security, and incident debriefing.
• Thorough understanding of security and violence prevention policies, procedures, principles, standards, and industry requirements.
• Strong skills in collaborating with operations leaders, conflict resolution and de-escalation.
• Experience developing policies and procedures that ensure both physical and psychological safety in the workplace.
• Familiarity with BC OHS Violence Prevention regulations and basic knowledge of the Criminal Code, Charter of Rights, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, and the Security Services Act.

Project Management

• Strong project management skills, demonstrated by leading complex, deadline-driven projects across multiple portfolios.
• Experience leading high-functioning, collaborative project teams.
• Ability to lead and influence change without direct authority.
• Proven ability to unify diverse groups to reach consensus.
• Experienced mentor and coach with a talent for solving complex problems and offering creative solutions.
• Self-motivated, with the initiative to work independently while contributing effectively to team efforts and adapting to changing needs.

Other

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering consensus among diverse groups.
• High level of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information with impartiality.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences, write clear reports, and deliver compelling presentations that support problem-solving and planning.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and the reduction of interpersonal violence.
• Experience in developing and delivering training using adult learning principles.
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours when necessary.
• Ability to pass and maintain a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Chief Safety Officer (1090)

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: May 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-080: $97,032 to $121,294 per year

Application Close: March 23, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.