Lead Investigator, Protection Services

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Defined benefit pension

Group insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The University of Ottawa seeks a dedicated investigator to conduct criminal and non-criminal investigations on campus, ensuring confidentiality and robust liaison with law enforcement. The role also oversees security at events and leads crime prevention initiatives.

Applicants should have a post-secondary degree, at least four years in investigations, and an Ontario private investigator license or eligibility for certification. Strong bilingual communication is required.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree or diploma relevant to the position.
• A minimum of four years of experience in investigations, security, and emergencies.
• Valid Ontario Private Investigator license, or ability to obtain Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Certification.
• Driver's license valid in Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations on university property, criminal or non-criminal, and manage case confidentiality.
• Provide security oversight at special events and campus safety programs.
• Lead crime prevention programs and liaise with external agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare incident reports, track statistics, and support cost-recovery for security operations.

Skills

Investigations

Security coordination

Threat risk assessment

Communication

Bilingual (English/French)

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma

Tools

Windows Office

Job description

About the Protection Services

Our mission is to enhance security, develop alternative modes of transportation, ensure respect for the rights of the university community and protect the assets of the University and its community.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Lead Investigator, the incumbent conducts investigations, on university property, of a criminal or non-criminal nature including examination of reported losses and offenses. This position is also responsible for providing security oversight at University of Ottawa special events, and campus crime prevention initiatives.

Investigations

Conducts investigations, on all criminal or non-criminal activities or complaints and takes appropriate action. Works closely with all members of Protection Services and maintains confidentiality of cases where students, Faculty and/or staff are involved. Liaises and works closely with external stakeholders (i.e., law enforcement, other post-secondary institutions) during or post investigations. Exchanges information and presents evidence before the courts pertaining to investigations and court briefs. Maintains records and ensures successful follow up on all ongoing and complete investigations. Conducts open-sourced intelligence investigations in relation to on-going cases, threat risk analysis, events, or other reasons as directed or required. Represents the University of Ottawa by actively participating with external agencies and attending various committees Participate and provide guidance in daily morning uniform briefing.

Special Event Planning, Threat Risk Assessment and Security Coordination

Receives, creates, and participates in special event plans and conducts a threat risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of risk related to events on campus and develops and deploys an appropriate mitigation strategy to counter the risk, ensuring all steps and actions are thoroughly documented. Develops programs, strategies, and procedures necessary to do so, and ensures a regular review and oversight of such. Assists with all other event planning as directed by the immediate supervisor. Decides and coordinates the internal and/ or external security needs in relation to special events on campus, while ensuring to respect established policies, procedures, and any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Regularly and proactively provides status updates and reports to immediate supervisor and management.

Crime Prevention

Initiates, develops, and implements programs and strategies for Crime and Loss Prevention. Acts as an advisor on all matters pertaining to crime prevention with internal and external clients. Identifies, appraises, and recommends risk factors in the University requiring additional prevention measures. Analyses data from the review of incident reports to identify problematic or risk areas on campus and provides guidance to the uniformed teams based on the review of incident reports to proactively target campus problem areas. Assists with the development, implementation, supervision, and maintenance of crime and theft prevention programs, personal and departmental safety outreach programs, and initiatives. Undertakes research and best practices on crime prevention and personal safety programs. Liaises with on-campus departments, student groups, external groups, agencies and community on crime prevention program and strategies (e.g., Residence Life, UOSU, Ottawa Police Services) with the goal of enhancing current partnerships and developing new connections. Provides leadership, coaching and mentoring to employees on the team. Responsible for recruitment and oversight of Community Protection volunteers (students), organization and supervision of monthly theme-oriented community information tables, as well as community engagement initiatives as directed.

Administration

Daily, reviews, analyses and distributes as necessary all Protection Services reports to various University stakeholders. Provides coaching and guidance to the uniform Protection Services member on the drafting of incident reports. Tracks the quality of incident reports being generated by the Protection Services uniform teams and provide statistical data for Protection Services managers on member’s performance. Follows-up with stakeholders as required to ensure thorough case management and resolution. Actively monitors, compiles, and prepares monthly statistics for managers, other internal stakeholders, other Universities, Colleges, and Institutions as directed. Prepares and compiles weekly incident highlights. Completes security risk evaluations as necessary and recommends special equipment for crime prevention or investigative purposes. Monitors and tracks all investigations resulting in cost recovery for Protection Services and regularly coordinates with accounts receivable personnel for such. Manages all cost recovery for campus special event’s requiring additional security and coordinates the billing and cost recovery for such. Responsible for processing/handling exhibits including lost and found items seized by the uniform members during the course of their duties. Responsible for the disposition of all exhibits seized and documenting the process.

What you will bring

• A Post-secondary degree or diploma relevant to the position or a demonstrated combination of education, training, and/or relevant work experience.
• A minimum of four years of experience in conducting criminal and non-criminal investigations, security, and dealing with emergencies.
• Valid Ontario Private Investigator license, or ability to obtain Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Certification Knowledge of Canadian Laws including the Criminal Code of Canada, Provincial Statutes, jurisprudence, The Canadian Bill of Rights, and the Private Investigator and Security Guards Acts (Bill 159).
• Driver's license valid in the province of Ontario.
• Open-sourced intelligence certification (would be an asset)
• Experience working in special events and V.I.P. visits.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates tact, and diplomacy and is sensitive to the cultural diversity of the community when dealing with students, faculty, employees, and visitors.
• Initiative and excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in a team environment.
• Ability and flexibility to occasionally adjust work schedule to meet departmental and work obligations.
• Highly motivated and creative to meet the challenges within a complex University Environment.
• Experience using Windows Office Suite and various other computer systems.
• The candidate shall not have any convictions for which a pardon has not been granted and shall not have any record of offenses related to the job.
• Ability to remain impartial and see situations in an unbiased manner.
• Attention to detail when reviewing reports, statements, and documents.
• Bilingualism - French and English (spoken and written).

Key Competencies at uOttawa

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons.

We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity.

The University of Ottawa fosters a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence.

The University of Ottawa is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment.

The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes.

Applicants with disabilities may contact [e-mail] to communicate the accommodation need.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above;

If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

Job Type: Employee

Hours per week: 35

Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NC7 - 35 hrs

Salary Range: $85,910.00 - $107,388.00

Campus: Main Campus

Date posted: 2026/09/17

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/09/28

• The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes a competitive salary, a defined benefit pension plan, group insurance coverage and an employee and family assistance program.