• Job ID: 45896
• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section: Social Development, Finance & Admin, Community Safety & Wellbeing
• Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen St. W (Hybrid)
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, One (1) Permanent Vacancy & One (1) Temporary (12 months) Vacancy
• Salary: $86,716- $112,255, TM0346, Wage Grade 6
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 2
• Posting Period: 16-Jul-2024 to 30-Jul-2024

Job Description:

Reporting to the Manager, Community Development and the Supervisor Focus, the Community Development Officer is responsible for supporting, coordinating and leading processes that support the mobilization of risk driven interventions and strengthening partnerships with community safety and wellbeing initiatives and other community stakeholders, while also working to advance the SafeTO: A Community Safety & Well-Being Plan by working collaboratively across sectors, communities and governments.

• Furthering Our Community by Uniting Services (FOCUS) Toronto is an innovative Community Safety and Well-Being Initiative that operates a situation table led by the City of Toronto, United Way - Greater Toronto and Toronto Police Service that aims to reduce crime, harms, and victimization and improve community resiliency.
• The Specialized program for Inter-Divisional Enhanced Responsiveness to Vulnerability (SPIDER) in addition is an innovative Community Safety and Well-Being initiative that operates a separate situation table led by the City of Toronto that aims to deliver customized responses for the purpose of mitigating elevated health and safety risks that affect people, property and neighbourhoods.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides community development services within and for the community based sector, to elected officials, volunteers, managers and staff of incorporated and unincorporated groups; and community coalitions.
• Works closely with FOCUS lead partners including United Way - Greater Toronto and Toronto Police Service to co-chair and facilitate partnership tables across the City and identify, develop and support practices to enhance collaborative approaches.

• Coordinates and/or provides advice, project management strategies and policy development support to FOCUS Toronto or SPIDER initiatives.
• Develops enriched capacity and leadership in the field of community safety and well-being by designing, delivering administering board, executive, management, front line training and community based training and initiatives
• Mobilizes inter-sectoral approaches for youth violence prevention
• Works with communities and service providers to develop collaborative risk driven interventions
• Initiates and manages inter-sectoral program partnerships, networks and integrated service planning related to community crisis response, youth violence prevention and collaborative risk driven interventions
• Assesses community crisis/risk situations, gathers and disseminates information regarding community impacts, initiates and activates relevant City and community responses, including supporting youth violence prevention and long-term community development
• Supports systems coordination efforts by working with City divisions and service areas, including Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, community based organizations to coordinate the provision of community crisis response supports, youth violence prevention and integrated service delivery
• Develops and implements, with key stakeholders, appropriate strategies to address community needs and improve access by informing the development and/or implementation of projects, partnerships and coalitions that promote inter-sectoral linkages
• Identifies and provides advice, mentoring, consultation support, information and referrals to potential community leaders and to service providers and community organizations involved and leading table interventions
• Designs, develops and presents culturally and age appropriate training tools, community outreach materials and education sessions and program for diverse audiences
• Acts as a resource around youth violence preventions, collaborative risk driven approaches, crisis response, prevention and preparation for City staff, politicians and other external stakeholders in identifying and acting on current and anticipated community needs and issues and providing regular updates through briefings, e-bulletins, reports, program documentation, and other appropriate means
• Contributes – through management, consultation, co-ordination and policy development - to the implementation of Council’s Strategic Plan and Social Development Strategy in order to achieve outcomes that promote a high quality of life, a sustainable community and the achievement of operational excellence (effectiveness and efficiency) at corporate, divisional, and divisional levels and in the community.
• Works with and assists other divisional and City staff, Toronto Police Service, institutional and community partners to enhance their community development skills to foster community capacity for community safety and well-being by providing consultation, education and facilitation on community development, community crisis response, access and equity and advocacy
• Co-ordinates and/or provides management advice, project management and policy development support to community safety and well-being initiated, corporately-determined and community-based initiatives
• Investigates and ensures timely, accurate and effective responses and service to internal and external stakeholders, including residents, community agencies, community resources staff, and City divisions
• Communicates and interprets relevant policies, programs and initiatives to the community
• Updates related databases and ensures that records pertaining to community crisis prevention and response activities are accurate

Key Qualifications:

1. Considerable experience in community development and in creating and implementing responses to address changing needs of communities.
2. Extensive experience in working with vulnerable communities to address social inequities, manage trauma, and develop community mental health supports, including the effective use of creative and innovative approaches to address systemic barriers.
3. Experience in developing coalitions, inter-sectoral linkages, community advocacy, infrastructure and capacity building.
4. Experience designing, developing and delivering a variety of popular and non-traditional, culturally appropriate training tools and outreach material to support community capacity building, including working with at-risk youth.
5. Degree in Sociology, Social Work, Community Health Promotion, or related a field or approved equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
6. Ability establishing effective working relationships with a variety of community and sector organizations, all City service areas, residents, representatives from various levels of government, elected officials and other related stakeholders.
7. Knowledge of current models of crisis intervention/management, ensuring community appropriate responses and support.
8. Ability to work within an anti-oppression framework, including familiarity with the sociology of large and complex urban areas with an ethno racially, linguistically and economically diverse population.
9. Knowledge of youth engagement principles and strategies and an understanding of the issues, services and programs that exist for young people in at-risk communities.
10. Strong conflict resolution, interpersonal and problem-solving skills and the ability to develop consensus and recommend effective, strategic solutions at the community level.
11. Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, at the management level to a variety of audiences.
12. Knowledge of government legislation in the areas of employment, occupational health and safety, labour and human rights.
13. Excellent knowledge of the human service system in the City.
14. Well-developed management and administrative skills
15. Sound managerial judgment in public and human relations.
16. Ability to travel to various locations in a timely and efficient manner.
17. Ability to work flexible hours which may include; overtime, shift work, and occasional evenings and weekends at any location across the City of Toronto.
18. Possession of a valid Ontario "G" Class Driver's License and the use of a personal vehicle for community site visits.

Virtual Information Session:

All interested candidates are invited to attend a virtual information session on Tuesday July 23rd, 2024, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, where they will have an opportunity to learn more about the Social Development, Finance & Admin Division, the role and responsibilities of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER position. Click here to join the session: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/j.php?MTID=mfb881f25c3db860a3da418879c4e26d1

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.