At Karis Disability Services what you do matters. Since 1965, our team has come alongside people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to celebrate each person’s unique gifts as we promote communities where everybody belongs. Driven by our values which are firmly rooted in the Christian faith, together we serve more than 1,500 people each year across Ontario and Saskatchewan, supporting them wholistically - body, mind, soul and spirit. Believing each person is made in the image of God, we welcome everybody to find the personalized supports they need to thrive. Beyond Canada, our global work impacts over 300,000 people across 70 communities in six countries. Learn more about Karis Disability Services at www.karis.org (http://www.karis.org).
Make a difference where it matters most; lead innovative harm prevention initiatives that protect, empower, and improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Full Time / Permanent
Harm Prevention Manager
40 hours/week
Waterloo Office
Karis Disability Services is seeking a passionate and experienced Harm Prevention Manager to lead and strengthen our organization-wide efforts to prevent harm, abuse, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. This existing role is ideal for a professional who combines strong investigative expertise with a commitment to person-centered supports, continuous improvement, and safeguarding practices.
As a key member of the Quality, Research & Practice Initiatives team, you will collaborate with individuals supported, families, employees, community partners, and leadership to develop innovative systems, enhance accountability, and foster a culture of safety and respect throughout the organization
Key Responsibilities:
Lead Abuse/Harm Prevention Strategy & Systems
- Develop and implement organization-wide harm and abuse prevention frameworks, processes, and best practices.
- Design systems that promote safety, accountability, and respectful supports for people with developmental disabilities.
- Lead initiatives focused on identifying and reducing risks, vulnerabilities, and potential harm.
- Support the implementation of monitoring and security technologies that enhance safety and quality of care.
- Partner with operational leaders to establish effective accountability measures and monitoring practices.
Conduct Investigations & Reporting
- Lead or support investigations involving allegations of abuse, harm, neglect, or misconduct.
- Collaborate in the training, mentoring, coaching and support of other investigators
- Analyze organizational data and trends related to abuse/harm prevention and response.
- Develop reports and recommendations for leadership, accreditation requirements, and governance bodies.
- Identify policy and practice gaps and recommend corrective actions.
Drive Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with managers to tailor prevention strategies to individual and service-specific needs.
- Evaluate serious occurrence reports, investigation findings, and related organizational data to support quality improvement initiatives.
- Develop and deliver training, educational materials, and policy reviews related to abuse prevention and response.
- Contribute to organizational planning and strategic initiatives that strengthen safeguarding practices.
Requirements:
- Minimum 4 years of experience in harm prevention, abuse prevention, safeguarding, or related fields.
- Diploma or degree in Protection, Security & Investigation or a related field is an asset .
- Demonstrated experience conducting workplace, regulatory, or non-regulatory investigations.
- Experience supporting vulnerable populations.
- Background in security, enforcement, or protective services is considered an asset
- Strong understanding of abuse prevention, risk assessment, and safeguarding practices.
- Knowledge of developmental services, legislative requirements, accreditation standards, and the Criminal Justice System.
- Exceptional interviewing, investigation, and report-writing skills.
- Experience with program evaluation, data analysis, and reporting.
- Intermittent travel, including occasional overnight travel.
- Flexibility to work outside standard office hours when required.
Why Should You Apply?
- Live out our shared values, help others, and find purpose in your work every day.
- Receive competitive wages.
- Find support through a Comprehensive Benefits Plan, Employee and Family Assistance Plan and 3 weeks vacation.
- Grow your leadership with mentorship, training, career development, and tuition reimbursement.
- Collaboration and Teamwork—Working together on a team, we tackle challenges, share insights, and support one another in fostering a thriving workplace culture.
Application Deadline: July 29th 2026- 9:00 am
Apply with a cover letter and résumé by 9:00 am on July 29th 2026, to the attention of the Director of Quality, Research and Practice Initiatives via the Apply Now feature.
Start Date: Late-August, 2026
Hourly Range: $34.68- $39.14
At Karis Disability Services we strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We remain dedicated to meeting all provincial human rights, accessibility, and employment standards. We seek to provide accessibility through all stages of the hiring process for all applicants with disabilities, consistent with our Accessibility Policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
