Mental Health Change Initiative Specialist

Job Information

Overall Purpose

• Under the direction of the Staff Sergeant (Project Lead), the Mental Health Change Initiative (MHCI) Specialist is responsible for coordinating and supporting systemic change initiatives arising from coroner’s inquests, organizational reviews, and crisis response improvements. The Specialist supports Ottawa Police Service’s (OPS’) mental health and crisis response strategy by analyzing recommendations, engaging interest holders, and implementing systemic changes that strengthen policies, training practices, and procedures across the Service.
• The Specialist ensures that all responses are timely, accountable, and aligned with the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), legal requirements, community expectations, and best practices in policing. A central responsibility is to coordinate the work of the Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC), the Change Agent group, internal directorates, and external partners, thereby advancing OPS’ mental health crisis response strategy and cultural transformation efforts.
• As a change leader and mental health advocate, the Specialist works closely with supervisors, staff, senior management, and community partners to identify organizational needs, implement effective solutions, and foster a coordinated, collaborative, and psychologically safe workplace.

Major Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Project Lead provide overall coordination and leadership for the Mental Health Change Initiative (MHCI), ensuring OPS delivers timely and accountable responses to recommendations from coroner’s inquests, organizational reviews, and crisis response evaluations.

➢ Facilitate the implementation of recommendations by engaging interest holders, monitoring progress, and aligning deliverables with OPS policies, legal requirements, and community expectations.
➢ Act as a liaison between OPS sections, training units, and external interest holders to ensure MHCI initiatives are integrated into Service operations.
➢ Monitor and analyze organizational practices and data to identify areas where MHCI strategies can reduce risks and improve crisis response.

• Serve as the primary coordinator for the Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC), ensuring that its work directly supports MHCI goals.

➢ Develop agendas, maintain documentation, and follow up on recommendations to ensure accountability.
➢ Support the Change Agent group by fostering two-way communication between leadership and members, enabling grassroots input into organizational change.
➢ Maintain governance and documentation of all MHCI deliverables, ensuring alignment with OPS Board reporting.

• Lead and support change management and systemic reform initiatives across OPS in relation to mental health crisis response.

➢ Develop and implement programs and strategies that strengthen OPS’ crisis response capabilities and improve member and community safety.
➢ Identify, evaluate, and share best practices from other police services and sectors to ensure OPS remains a leader in evidence-based crisis response.
➢ Partner with internal and external interest holders to align OPS initiatives with research, legislation, and sector standards.

• Support organizational accountability and cultural change by embedding MHCI principles into policy and operational practices.

➢ Provide advice and coaching to supervisors and managers on incorporating MHCI-related practices into their work.
➢ Contribute to the development of policies, frameworks, and evaluation tools that reinforce OPS’ commitment to systemic change.
➢ Encourage open dialogue and reduce stigma related to mental health crisis response within the organization.

Major Responsibilities (continued)

• Contribute to OPS resource planning and training efforts by integrating MHCI objectives into training, deployment, and continuity planning.

➢ Collaborate with the Training Section to ensure scenario-based training in crisis intervention and de-escalation is aligned with MHCI strategies.
➢ Provide input into scheduling and deployment to balance operational effectiveness with organizational capacity to respond to crises.
➢ Assist in the development of continuity plans that ensure MHCI reforms are sustained over time.

• Collect, evaluate, and report data to support evidence-based decision-making in MHCI.

➢ Track and analyze trends related to crisis response, operational outcomes, and organizational practices.
➢ Prepare regular reports for senior leadership and the OPS Board, highlighting emerging risks, gaps, and progress toward MHCI goals.
➢ Use performance measurement to guide planning and ensure accountability for systemic change.

• Represent OPS in inter-agency and external collaborations related to mental health crisis response and systemic change.     

➢ Participate in local, provincial, and national working groups, roundtables, and inter-agency forums.
➢ Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, policy, and research related to crisis response and policing reform.
➢ Act as a subject matter resource for OPS and community interest holders on MHCI-related initiatives.

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Completion of a three (3) year University Degree or three (3) year College Diploma in a relevant field, such as Police Foundations, Psychology, Criminology, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field.
• A combination of formal education and equivalent professional experience in organizational change, wellness coordination, or policing, may substitute for stipulated education requirements.
• Minimum of five (5) years of project coordination or program management experience, preferably in a public safety or emergency services environment, including:
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating or coordinating cross-functional working groups such as advisory councils or Change Agent groups.
  • Experience in performance measurement, data analysis, or program evaluation related to organizational improvement.
  • Experience working on projects co-led with community interest holders is considered an asset.

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 employees of the OPS:

• Supervisor Occupational Health & Safety.
• Respectful Workplace.
• Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
• Active Bystander Law Enforcement (ABLE) or equivalent
• Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR)

• 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.

The MHCI Specialist requires:

• Strong knowledge of OPS structure, values, and operational protocols.
• Understanding of Communications Centre operations, dispatch protocols, and shift-based work realities.
• Knowledge of the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
• Familiarity with psychological health and safety frameworks such as the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
• Knowledge of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), peer support models, and critical incident response protocols.
• Understanding of trauma-informed leadership, mental health risk factors in policing, and cultural change processes in a unionized environment.

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with regular visits to other OPS sections and external partners.
• Frequent movement between OPS facilities and participation in meetings across the city is required.
• Occasional travel to provincial or national conferences may be required.
• Emotional resilience is essential when supporting members after traumatic incidents or while working in high-stress environments.
• Flexible hours are required, including evenings, weekends, and call-ins for critical incident support.

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Experience working with law enforcement, paramedic services, or other first responder organizations.
• Experience preparing and presenting reports or updates to governance bodies such as Police Services Boards or municipal councils.
• Familiarity with evidence-based policing and evaluation methods for training and systemic change programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with internal groups and external interest holders in support of systemic change initiatives
• Training or certification in Change Management (e.g., Prosci, ADKAR) is preferred.
• Crisis Intervention or De-escalation training (e.g., CIT, ICAT, CPI, R2MR, TRT) is an asset.
• Training in Facilitating Police Adult Learning (FAPL) or similar adult learning methodologies is considered an asset.
• Training in anti-bias, hate, and discrimination prevention