Manager, Public Safety and Wellbeing

Permanent Full-Time: 35 hours per week
Non-Union Position

**Who we are**
Kitchener Public Library welcomes our community to engaging spaces where people connect, ideas flourish and lives are transformed. Our values are a reflection of who we are and what we strive for as a library.
The principles of equity, inclusion and belonging are present in all that we do. Everything from our spaces to our services is designed to value diversity, foster belonging and respect individual needs.

**What we offer**
- Comprehensive benefits
- Reliable pension
- Learning and development
- Innovative culture
- Paid time-off

**What you will do**
The Manager, Public Safety and Wellbeing establishes and stewards relationships with community partners particularly within the health and social services sectors. They represent the Library in discussions focused on supporting vulnerable individuals, including those experiencing mental illness, addiction, or homelessness through the development of programs and services. This position helps Kitchener Public Library deliver exceptional service that honours the unique needs and experiences of each person.

In this role you will:

- Lead system wide efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to incidents through active community connection, timely intervention, and other appropriate means consistent with KPL policies and protocols, including de-escalation, verbal communications, performing first-aid, escorting customers from the library facility, contacting/liaising with City Security or Police and other emergency services, as needed
- Design, implement, and lead system-wide emergency policies, procedures, and responses, such as lockdowns, hold and secure, and natural disasters in collaboration with HR and Customer Experience teams
- Lead de-briefing sessions for staff as soon as possible after an incident and coordinate major incident debriefs with HR to provide trauma-informed support and improvement opportunities
- Oversee incident reporting accuracy and timeliness, analyze incident data to identify trends and inform preventative strategies
- Oversee and manage contracted security services, providing direction to guards as needed
- Provide supervision, coaching, and professional development to staff, empowering them to make decisions within their scope of work and offering guidance and support
- Monitor external landscape trends, such as social issues and health concerns, and advise on proactive safety and service responses
- Guide the provision of services to customers to navigate barriers in accessing community health, housing and social service supports
- Oversee and provide services to customers with a lens to identify, prevent and remove systemic barriers to equity in library services

**What you bring**
- Post-secondary degree with a focus in Community Development, Public Safety or Social Work
- 4 - 5 years of experience with at least 2 years being supervisory
- Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across a range of audiences, including staff, customers, and community partners.
- Advanced facilitation and instructional skills to design and deliver system-wide training on complex and sensitive topics.
- Strong project management capabilities, with demonstrated initiative and independence in leading the development and implementation of new policies, programs, and initiatives.
- Proven leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to foster collaboration, build team capacity, and contribute effectively within system wide, cross-functional teams.
- Strong commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive customer experience that aligns with the Library’s values and community service goals.
- Knowledge of social service agencies providing support for individuals living with complex needs such as mental illness, addiction and/or experiencing homelessness.
- Demonstrated intercultural competence, with the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

**How to apply**
- Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request._

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $82,173.00-$96,131.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-06-09