Sexual Health and Safety Officer

Employment Opportunity: Sexual Health and Safety Officer - full-time permanent (35 hours per week) position | Subject to probationary period.

Established in 1789, the University of King's College is Canada's oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, King's is known nationally and internationally for its interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including its first-year Foundation Year Program, its professional programs in journalism and its fine arts programs in creative writing. King's is a community in which students, faculty, alumni, and staff work to bring greater understanding, creativity, and compassion to the world.

At King's, we believe that students thrive in a campus culture that is safe, inclusive, equitable and responsive to the diverse needs of our community. Through our Office of Equity & Community Supports, this belief is translated in our work that leads the implementation of multiple strategies & policies that strengthen student wellbeing, safety, and community care. We are advancing a university community where Indigenization, equity, safety, accessibility, student wellbeing, and belonging are embedded in how we learn, work, interact and support one another.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Equity and Community Supports, the Sexual Health and Safety Officer (SHSO) leads the University's efforts to promote sexual health and wellbeing, prevent sexual and gender-based violence, and support members of the campus community impacted by harm. Working from a trauma-informed, survivor-centred, anti-oppressive, and intersectional framework, the SHSO provides direct support, education, advocacy, policy guidance, and institutional leadership related to sexual health, consent culture, healthy relationships, and sexual violence prevention and response. The SHSO serves as the primary campus resource for faculty, staff and in particular students seeking support related to sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, intimate partner violence, sexual health concerns, and relationship safety. The position collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to foster a campus environment where all individuals can learn, live, work, and thrive free from violence, discrimination, coercion, and harassment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary campus contact for disclosures and reports of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, intimate partner violence, sexual health concerns, relationship safety, while maintaining confidentiality in helping affected persons discuss resolution options.
• Provide trauma-informed and survivor-centered support and advocacy through multiple aspects of case coordination such as safety planning, resource navigation, referrals, and follow-up.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate sexual health promotion activities and material, consent education, and gender-based violence prevention initiatives that foster a safe, healthy, and inclusive campus community.
• Design and facilitate educational workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns for students, student leaders, faculty, and staff on topics like consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, sexual health, responding to disclosures etc.
• Support the interpretation and ongoing review of King's Sexualized Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Response Policy and related procedures, ensuring alignment with legislation, best practices, and institutional priorities.
• Provide consultation and guidance to faculty, staff, and student leaders responding to disclosures or concerns related to sexual health, safety, and gender-based violence.
• Collaborate with university partners, community organizations, healthcare providers, and advocacy agencies to strengthen supports, services, and prevention efforts available to students.
• Contribute to institutional initiatives, committees, and strategic priorities related to student wellbeing, Indigenization, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and community safety.
• Monitor emerging trends, legislation, research, and promising practices related to sexual health promotion and gender-based violence prevention, recommending improvements to programs, policies, and services.
• Collect, analyze, and report on program and service data, evaluate outcomes, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that enhance student wellbeing and foster a culture of respect, consent, and accountability at King's.

Qualification, Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum qualification for this position is a Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g. Sociology, Gender and Women's studies, Community Development, Psychology, Human Rights, Education, Social Work etc.).
• A minimum of 3 years work experience in a related field with responsibility for sexualized violence protocols, procedures and support.
• Related experience in crisis intervention, advocacy, case management, conflict resolution or student support will be considered an asset.
• Experience developing and facilitating educational programming for various audiences.
• Experience working with diverse populations using intersectional, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approaches.
• Experience in a post-secondary environment is considered a strong asset.

Core Competencies

• Strong crisis intervention and support skills
• Excellent facilitation and public speaking abilities
• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Sound judgment and ethical decision-making
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information
• Strong organizational and case management skills
• Intercultural competence
• Ability to work independently and within multi-disciplinary teams

Additional Information

• Closing Date: July 22, 2026
• Preferred start date: September 7, 2026
• Annual Salary range: $76,907-$105,630
• Includes comprehensive benefits with medical and dental; eligible for enrollment in the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP).

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to:

Pethrona Russell
Human Resources Manager
University of King's College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2A1
[email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of King's College is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi'kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community.