Safety Planning Specialist

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 78,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Safety Planning Specialist at University of British Columbia plays a key role in advancing safety across campus, providing threat assessment, risk management, and safety planning services. Working with internal and external partners, the role develops risk mitigation strategies, supports high-profile event safety planning, and ensures access to safety resources for students, staff, and visitors.

The position involves detailed case assessments, interviewing affected persons, coordinating with

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Criminology, or Psychology or the equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of experience in security and personnel administration.
• Demonstrates commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead threat assessment and safety planning alongside the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop trauma-informed safety frameworks and risk management strategies.
• Document case assessments, safety plans, and follow-up actions per standards.

Skills

Interviewing

Trauma-informed approach

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Undergraduate degree in Criminology or Psychology or equivalent

Job description

Job Title Safety Planning Specialist Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Security, Level A Job Family Group Staff - Non Union Department Threat Assessment | Campus Security | Safety & Risk Services | VP Finance and Operations Compensation Range $6,949.92 - $9,992.50 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date Ongoing Posting End Date November 1, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Safety Planning Specialist plays a key role in advancing UBC's commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Through specialized threat assessment, risk management, and safety planning services, the position supports the University's efforts to prevent and mitigate risks associated with disruptive, aggressive, threatening, and potentially violent behaviour. Working collaboratively with internal and external partners, the role contributes to institution-wide safety objectives by developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies, supporting high-profile event safety planning, and helping ensure that members of the university community have access to appropriate safety resources and supports. The position conducts assessments of referrals involving potential threats to the university community, manages incident escalations through investigative review and analysis, and develops comprehensive, individualized safety plans for individuals, groups, or departments affected by concerning behaviour. The role works closely with university departments, emergency services, and community partners to coordinate responses and support informed decision-making regarding safety risks. The position also provides expertise and consultation to internal and external partners, helping to strengthen institutional capacity for violence prevention, threat management, and community safety.

Threat Assessment & Management

• As a Structured Judgement Tool-trained core member of UBC's multidisciplinary threat assessment team, collaborates with senior-level representatives across the University to assess situations and persons of concern and contribute to the development and implementation of risk management strategies.
• Through the application of institutional context, relevant policies, legislation, and risk assessment methodologies, develop comprehensive, individualized, trauma-informed safety frameworks and further planning in collaboration with affected individuals, departmental leadership, emergency services, internal partners, and UBC Community Safety representatives.
• Oversee the implementation of safety plans and ensure identified supports, resources, and interventions are coordinated and delivered in alignment with client needs and risk mitigation requirements.
• Contribute to the development of high-security event management plans for activities or events requiring enhanced protective measures, and participate in post-event debriefing and evaluation processes.
• Support UBC Community Safety operational teams engaged in threat management files by preparing threat briefings, safety plan summaries, procedural documentation, and operational guidance aligned with approved risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct detailed assessments of escalated incidents involving concerning, disruptive, threatening, or violent behaviour, including the completion of violence risk triage assessments to determine risk levels and appropriate responses.
• Review referred incidents, gather additional information, conduct investigative activities as required, and collaborate with stakeholders and partners to implement risk mitigation measures.
• Gather, analyze, and assess information from multiple sources, including interviews, reports, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), to evaluate the nature, credibility, and evolution of threats. Conduct ongoing monitoring and follow-up throughout the lifecycle of incidents.
• Lead and document sensitive interviews with affected persons, persons of concern, witnesses, and collateral contacts using trauma-informed and inclusive practices. Provide guidance on interviewing methodologies and support the development of trauma-informed interviewing practices within UBC Community Safety.
• Coordinate referrals to and engagement with internal and external support services and community resources, including UBC SVPRO, counselling services, law enforcement, and other partners, to ensure coordinated service delivery and optimal client outcomes.
• Ensure all case assessments, management actions, safety plans, and follow-up activities are documented in accordance with established reporting standards, legal requirements, and departmental procedures.
• Maintain an objective, evidence-informed, and investigative approach while integrating principles of respect, fairness, equity, inclusion, and professionalism into all aspects of threat assessment and management.

Program Support

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with internal and external partners to support effective service delivery, collaboration, and achievement of program objectives.
• Regularly consult with and provide operational expertise to university departments and external agencies, coordinating service delivery, responding to changing circumstances, and monitoring client outcomes and satisfaction.
• Research emerging trends, industry best practices, and legal considerations related to threat assessment, threat management, violence prevention, and safety planning to support continuous improvement and program effectiveness.
• Develop educational materials and deliver training, awareness, and outreach presentations on topics such as violence prevention, personal safety planning, and threat management to support community safety objectives.
• Support the ongoing refinement of case management procedures, reporting tools, templates, operational processes, and best practices.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Safety Planning Specialist will, at times, be expected to make decisions with limited consultation. Decisions made in this role can have a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of university staff, faculty, and others on campus. Inadequate assessment or response to potential threats can directly impact the targeted community member, as well as lead to significant reputational, legal and financial consequences for the university. The ability to make well-reasoned, evidence-based decisions, while ensuring compliance with UBC policy, regulations and associated legislation, is critical to ensuring campus safety. Recommendations and decisions contribute to the effective operation of UBC Community Safety services and stakeholder relationships.

Supervision Received

The Safety Planning Specialist works independently and with moderate autonomy under the strategic guidance of the Senior Manager. The position will consult with Threat Management Specialist, Managers, and Senior Managers within the Community Safety department. Works under general direction within defined objectives; results are subject to review.

Supervision Given

The Safety Planning Specialist will lead Security Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators in resource deployment or other responsibilities, as it relates to threat management and safety plans. Indirect leadership provided for threat assessment cases and departmental projects, programs, and specialized deployments. Plans, coordinates, and reviews work related to threat assessment and safety planning activities in collaboration with operational staff and supervisors, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Criminology, or Psychology or the equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of experience in security and personnel administration.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting interviews with Affected Person(s), persons of concern, and witnesses.
• Experience in file documentation and use of case management systems.
• Experience using trauma-informed approaches when working with individuals.
• Experience working with diverse communities, including historically underrepresented, 2SLGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team in a demanding and complex environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Experience with higher education, security, or law enforcement setting and with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working in an operational environment and collaborating with operational teams.
• Professional Certification and/or membership related to the role (e.g., CATAP, ASIS, Safety Planning/Management).
• Formal training and experience in the use of Structured Professional Judgment assessment tools (e.g., HCR-20, SARA, SAM, RSVP, etc.).
• Knowledge of and experience with Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods and techniques.
• Strong leadership skills with emphasis on decision making, problem solving and the ability to foster a motivating and respectful environment.
• Ability to mentor junior colleagues or colleagues from operational streams regarding threat management and safety planning.
• Ability to plan, manage multiple cases and projects, meet deadlines, and prioritize, as needed.
• Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as operationally required.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

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

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].