Director, Health, Wellness, & Safety

Job Information

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Director Health, Safety and Wellness serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the Ottawa Police Service’s vision for member health, safety and wellness. Major responsibilities include:

• Driving long-term organizational strategies that foster resilience, reduce stigma, and embed health, safety and wellness into the Service’s culture.
• Ensuring Health, Safety and Wellness Section priorities are aligned with corporate initiatives.
  Providing the overall direction and management of the Health, Safety and Wellness Section which oversees the effective management of disability claims including assisting members back to work from short- or long-term disability, workplace accommodations, and Occupational Health & Safety Programs.
• Representing the OPS as a thought leader in health, safety and wellness at provincial and national level.

This role is pivotal in shaping OPS’ reputation as a progressive, wellness-focussed organization.  By embedding health, safety and wellness into strategic planning, the Director ensures OPS remains resilient, adaptive and evolving in how it responds to member needs and legislative requirements.

Major Responsibilities

Drives long-term organizational strategies that foster resilience, reduce stigma, and embed health, safety and wellness into the Service’s culture.

• Monitors and leads the continuous evaluation and improvement process for the organization’s Health, Safety and Wellness Strategy.
• Designs program strategies that align with the Ottawa Police Service Board strategy and align with the DRIVE2 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
• Translates Corporate Goals into action by converting organizational objectives into actionable programs and measurable outcomes for the Health, Safety and Wellness Section.

Drives Cultural Change.

• Champion initiatives that normalize mental health conversations, reduce stigma and build a resilient workforce.

Policy Leadership.

• Design and maintain forward- thinking policies and protocols that reflect emerging trends and best practices in police health, safety and wellness across Canada.

Governance and Reporting.

• Oversees strategic reporting to the Police Services Board and Executive Command, ensuring transparency and accountability in health, safety and wellness outcomes.

Interest holder Engagement.

• Build strategic partnerships internally and externally to advance OPS’s health, safety and wellness agenda and influence broader industry standards.

Resource Optimization.

• Direct fiscal planning and resource allocation to ensure sustainability and efficiency of the health, safety and wellness programs.

Collective Bargaining Input.

• Provide strategic advice to support negotiations that prioritize the member health safety.

Provides the overall direction and management of the Health, Safety and Wellness Section which oversees the effective management of disability claims including assisting members back to work from occupational and non-occupational  medical leaves, workplace accommodations, and Occupational Health & Safety Programs.

• Meet regularly with the CHRO and members of Executive Command as required to provide briefings on issues arising out of the sections’ activities and requiring strategic wellness support.
• Direct and coach staff by monitoring, evaluating, and providing feedback (both verbally and in the Tracking Log) on performance; promotes the personal and professional development of staff; completes the annual Performance Reviews for staff; strive always to ensure a respectful workplace.
• Monitor and review the human and financial resource needs of each section and re-allocate and adjust as needed.
• Accountable for the administration, monitoring, and reporting of financial resources including overtime as per the Overtime Management Policy, and the Financial Accountability Procedures (FAP) Manual.  
• All Directors are accountable for the development, monitoring, and reporting of financial resources including all overtime in their section as per the Overtime Management Policy.  

Represents the OPS as a thought leader in health, safety and wellness at the provincial and national level.

• Meet with key interest holders to develop strong relationships and resolve issues arising out of the Health, Safety and Wellness section.
• Liaises regularly with the executive of the Ottawa Police and Senior Officers’ Associations. 

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

Four (4) year University Degree in Business, Human Resources, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Public Administration, and / or other relevant field.
Experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements.
Minimum eight (8) years progressively more responsible experience including:

• Five (5) years experience managing the work of others.
• Developing, implementing, evaluating, and reporting on HR / Health and Safety / Wellness program results.
• Working with other external agencies, partners, various levels of government and the public community.
• Policy and process development and strategic program development and implementation.
• Experience preparing professional reports for presentation to Senior Management / Board of Directors or an overseeing civilian body.

Language

English - fluency in oral, reading, and writing. 

Certifications and Licences

N/A

In service Training

The following mandatory training and education is provided to all civilian Directors of the OPS:

• Supervisor Health & Safety
• Respectful Workplace
• Harassment & Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Road to Mental Health Readiness (R2MR).
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Towards Authentic Inclusion Supervisor Course).
• Active Bystander Law Enforcement (ABLE).

All employees of the OPS are expected to complete all additional and new mandatory training as prescribed by the Office of the Chief.

Job Knowledge

Working knowledge of:

• The Organization’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Project management practices and processes.

Strong knowledge of:

• Current Wellness industry standards, best practices, trends, legislation, and common challenges facing professionals working within Emergency Services, and the wider Health, Wellness and Safety Industry.
• Concepts respecting resiliency and programs which promote resiliency in the Workplace with a particular focus on Emergency Services and First Responders.
• Relevant legislation including the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations, the Workplace Safety Insurance Act, the Ontario Human Rights Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act and any other legislation affecting health and wellness.

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with minimal adverse working conditions.
• Regular travel (several times per week) is required between OPS locations for the purpose of attending meetings and fulfilling job responsibilities

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Knowledge of the OPS Business Plan
• Thorough understanding of organizational behaviour, interpersonal dynamics, as well as the legislative and governance context in which police services are being delivered.