Community Safety Officer Full time Temporary Term

DEFINITION:

Under the direction of the Director of Development Services and supervision of the Bylaw Compliance Officers, performs a variety of duties related to promoting community safety in the downtown and in our parks and public spaces, to support community residents and vulnerable community members, including addressing bylaw enforcement issues.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

1. Monitor and address safety of all residents in the downtown with a focus on persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness living in public or private spaces, persons experiencing homelessness and persons who are street involved including reduced risk of COVID-19 or other disease transmission;
2. Liaise with businesses, residents and persons with lived/ing experience to identify neighbourhood/downtown issues;
3. Address and implement actions to reduce community concerns about public health and safety in neighbourhoods where unsheltered homeless populations are seeking temporary shelter and services;
4. Fostering positive dialogue between unsheltered homeless people, bylaw and protective services, downtown businesses, neighbourhoods or community members and service agencies (e.g. liaison program with Bylaw Compliance Officers and the Social Development Program Coordinator);
5. Liaise with other City Departments, the RCMP involving City bylaws and infractions and enforcement;
6. Deal with the public in a friendly, professional and proficient manner at all times;
7. Promoting understanding and cooperation through peer-based and/or neighbourhood participatory activities for site cleaning, security, communications, etc.;
8. Participating in, supporting or conducting community engagement strategies (e.g. neighbourhood outreach, "street" outreach, public education materials, crime prevention tips, participatory dialogues);
9. Receive, investigate, and process complaints of municipal bylaw infractions;
10. Respond to callouts for the purpose addressing complaints with encouraging compliance with possible bylaw infractions;
11. Evening and weekend work, and on-call work as required;
12. Attend meetings, as required;
13. Other related duties, as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Completion of Grade 12 supplemented by course work in areas such as Social Services Work, Health Promotion/Wellness, Justice/Restorative Justice, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Investigations or Security;
2. Completion of Bylaw Compliance, Enforcement and Investigative Skills Level I through the Justice Institute, or equivalent is considered an asset;
3. Completion of training in social or health services is an asset;
4. Related experience with bylaw enforcement with a local government or provincial agency is considered an asset;
5. Training in Trauma-Informed Practice, Prevention and De-escalation skills considered an asset;
6. Knowledge of Local Government, applicable Municipal bylaws, other laws, and court procedures, is considered an asset;
7. Demonstrated ability to deal tactfully & diplomatically with the public and provide sound judgement while always maintaining the utmost professionalism;
8. Demonstrated ability to exercise outstanding customer service, communication, and conflict resolution skills at all times;
9. Computer experience, preferably in a Windows environment, with Word and Excel;
10. Ability to work independently and to accomplish tasks and assignments;
11. Ability to work effectively with employees and co-workers;
12. Ability to work effectively with partner outreach and shelter provider organizations;
13. Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence.

A criminal record check will be required to be provided by all potential successful applicants to this position prior to it being awarded.

The above statement is a general description of the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.