User Experience Researcher

Job Information

Overall Purpose

• The User Experience Researcher (UXR) is responsible for conducting thorough user research, guiding the design and improvement of the OPS Community Safety Data Portal. The UXR empowers the team to develop an intuitive and transparent platform by uncovering insights and championing a user-centered approach.
• In this position, the UXR helps foster a stronger relationship between the police service and the community. Through their research, they enable the portal to present safety data in clear and accessible ways, making it easier for users to understand local safety trends and participate in collaborative crime prevention efforts. This work directly supports the police service’s goal of creating a more informed and engaged community.

Major Responsibilities

Research and Analysis:

• Conduct user research to understand community members' needs, behaviours, and preferences when interacting with the safety data portal.
• Recruit and manage participants and subject matter experts; schedule and facilitate user interviews and focus groups.
• Create and maintain user personas based on research findings to inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with designers, developers, and other team members to ensure user personas are effectively incorporated into the design process.
• Analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns, trends, and insights related to user experience.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate user research findings into design decisions.

Usability Testing:

• Plan, conduct, and analyze usability testing sessions to evaluate the effectiveness of the community safety data portal.
• Ensure testing is inclusive to ensure findings inform design decisions prioritizing accessibility for all individuals.
• Work closely with stakeholders to define testing objectives, scenarios, and success criteria.
• Synthesize findings and provide actionable recommendations for improving user experience.

Information Architecture: 

• Assess and improve the information architecture of the data portal, ensuring the data is organized and structured intuitively for users.

Communication and Documentation:

• Clearly communicate research findings, insights, and recommendations to stakeholders through presentations, reports, and other documentation.
• Document and maintain a research repository for future reference and knowledge sharing within the analytics team.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with User Experience Designers, Data Analysts, and other team members to ensure a cohesive and user-centered approach to design and development.
• Actively participate in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews.

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A three (3) year post-secondary degree or diploma in graphic design, digital design, visual communication, or other design-related fields or relevant experience.
• Minimum three years (3) experience conducting user experience research in an analytics and decision support environment.
• Experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements.

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:

• Occupational Health & Safety.
• Respectful Workplace.
• Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI). 
• Active Bystandership for 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 Ottawa Police’s Vision, Mission, and Values.
  • Performance measurement theory and applications.
  • Strategic planning, policy, and risk management, and how they impact the organization.
  • The Criminal Code of Canada, the Police Services Act and Regulations thereto.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of Inclusive design practices and accessibility requirements (AODA and Accessible Canada Act).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent knowledge of qualitative research methods.
• Confident in curating and synthesizing findings.       
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Manage time to meet expectations and deadlines

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a standard office / police environment with minimal adverse working conditions.

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, and writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Experience or familiarity with Agile or iterative development environments sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and adaptability to changing project requirements.