The Surrey Police Service (“SPS”) is bringing an era of modern and progressive policing to Surrey. We are a community-based policing service that is at the forefront of public safety. We are committed to meeting our city’s unique priorities and building a team that reflects the diverse and inclusive communities we serve. Help us build a new community-responsive police service that will support one of the fastest growing and diverse cities in Canada.
SPS is hiring a Manager – Information and Privacy, who will lead a team that performs complex functions related to three main areas: access requests, disclosure requests, and civil court orders.
Access requests are formal requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. By law, requestors are granted significant rights of access to records, and need a timely, and accurate response. This position is responsible for managing people and processes related to a broad range of information management services.
Disclosure requests are non-routine requests outside formal Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and typically come from other public bodies, federal agencies, foreign agencies, and other organizations. This role leads the development of policies and practices, and the administration required to conduct intake; correspond with lawyers; research and compile records responsive to a court order; review, redact, compile the disclosure package; and release records.
This position leads and manages the development and implementation of SPS’s Freedom of information and privacy strategy in compliance with relevant legislation. The position oversees the management of this unit and the support staff in it.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Senior SPS Lawyer, the Manager provides strategic leadership in privacy and information security to SPS, while leading the day-to-day work of the FOIPPA staff. The role includes:
- Providing strategic and functional professional advice on access and privacy issues with the necessary information or service, while ensuring that any release of information conforms with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and SPS policies and procedures.
- Responsibility for electronic records, ECM, digitization, shared drives, and administrative work relating to the centralized corporate records information management system including classification, retention, retrieval, and disposal of SPS records in accordance with the Police Act and the Local Government Act. The role assesses, reviews, and enhances internal record processes and workflows and provides project management for various information management initiatives.
- Creating, updating, and sustaining related SPS policies and procedures, including providing training to SPS staff as the subject matter expert in this area.
- Interpreting related legislation, by-laws, and case law on their area of expertise and shares this information with SPS. Developing and preparing internal reports providing insight and recommendation on trends and required actions.
- Working with legal staff to prepare memoranda on legal problems based on information received from external lawyers. Making referrals to other governmental or non-government agencies.
- Participating in mediations, prepares submissions, and represents SPS at hearings before a commissioner. Representing the SPS before courts and tribunals with respect to issues of document production and discovery.
- Providing strategic advice to the Executive and senior management on risks and exposure of processes and procedures as the subject matter expert.
- Creating and reviewing privacy impact assessments and provides advice and guidance to new and existing projects that involve personal information and privacy risks. Implementing new and amended policies and procedures and evaluating the effectiveness of current policies and procedures.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, such as the information and privacy commissioner and other government and corporate contacts.
- Managing the staff in the information and privacy unit including recruitment, development of staff (i.e., coaching, mentoring, training), and organizing and delegating work to meet SPS and employee needs.
- Staying up-to-date on current legislation regarding privacy and police issues, making appropriate recommendations for improvements in privacy protection practices.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ten years of progressive experience in privacy and information management (a legal background is a benefit). Experience leading a team in a unionized environment is preferred.
- Experience coordinating a team in meeting Freedom of Information legislation and the related information requests for a complex, public sector organization.
- Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in library and information studies, archival studies or records management, and/or a law degree.
- Obtained additional certifications in privacy, freedom of information, records management, and the related technology, in alignment with a commitment to continuous learning.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and liaise with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and resources.
- Able to identify key stakeholders and partners, understand roles and to take appropriate steps to understand their needs and concerns and develop excellent working relationships.
- Problem solving skills with the ability to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action, drawing on evidence base, designed to target root causes, mitigate risk, and manage impacts.
- Able to problem solve, critically question, and identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness across own team and the SPS.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
