Specialist, Community Relations/Engagement

Human Services/Social Development, Planning and Performance

Status 1 Contract Full-time up to 13 Months

Salary Range $73,482 - $91,853 per annum

Work mode Remote * see below for more details about this work mode.

Location 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton

Hours of work 35 hour/week

Who we are  The Human Services department works to provide supports to improve the quality of life for the Peel community. This includes income and social supports, affordable housing and early years and child care supports. Human Services works as part of the broader social services sector; collaborating with community partners, building capacity and providing funding to respond to the needs of people in our community.

The Role The Community Development Specialist leads, implements and maintains direct service and supports to collaborative networks, neighbourhoods and communities with the intended outcome of building a vibrant Peel region. This position requires working with other Human Services staff, Regional Departments, Community Organizations/Partners and Stakeholders to identify and address complex issues, as well as gaps in systems, services and programs. We do this through a community engagement framework that includes strategic and community planning, building organizational capacity, sharing community local intelligence, and developing quality improvement mechanisms.

What you will do in this role

• Provides recommendations to Supervisor on impacts to the human services service delivery model and departmental planning.
• Facilitates capacity building within the Region and identifies emerging trends and geographies requiring specific attention.
• Collaborates with local agencies and communities to raise awareness of the various human services programs, accesses resources and identifies referrals.
• Develops customized community programs and services according to neighbourhood need, capacity, and resources; delivers a range of community-based programs and services focused on building the capacity of Peel communities, neighbourhoods.
• Supports community members and staff working on community development and collaborative initiatives by providing back-bone supports, direction and leadership.
• Assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of outcomes framework.
• Researches community development related information from various sources to include in reports and share with the Community Partnership team.
• Works on building active communities to ensure equity and assist in dealing with their challenges and mapping their assets; works with communities and community collaborative networks to increase capacity to influence and impact wicked problems.
• Raises Regional support awareness with the goal to build capacity.
• Acts as a liaison with various advocacy groups by sharing information, providing advice/guidance and participating on committees.
• Establishes/leverages regional and community networks to achieve Region of Peel Strategic objectives.
• Identifies, gathers and reports on community and neighbourhood trends and gaps in service through asset analysis and engages community stakeholders to address gaps, trends, capacity and high-level system changes.
• Builds collaborative relationships with community stakeholders involved in neighbourhood strategies in order to develop, promote and coordinate a community development plan.
• This position requires working with other Human Services staff, Regional Departments, Community Organizations/Partners and Stakeholders to identify and address complex issues, as well as gaps in systems, services and programs.

What the role requires

• Knowledge of the Community Development philosophies and related strategies (i.e. capacity building, negotiation and consensus building); program development, implementation, evaluation and project management.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner within a collaborative team environment and be able to deal with multiple tasks, shifting/changing priorities.
• Understanding of the needs and demographics of Peel’s diverse community served with an awareness of trends and issues which impact on the community.
• Well-developed communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, exercise discretion and confidentiality when handling diverse situations with personal sensitivity.
• Intermediate computer skills in MS Outlook, MS Project and other program planning and evaluation software.
• Ability to identify and respond to situations using tact and diplomacy.
• Proven organizational skills with an emphasis on being detailed-oriented.
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to gather and analyze data.
• Post-secondary education in a Human Services discipline or related field (i.e. social work, sociology) with at least three years of related work experience in community development or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us <remove if not applicable>

• Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefit plan
• Accrue Vacation on a monthly basis (where applicable) starting at 3 weeks per annum
• 3 Paid personal days and floating holidays
• Work Mode In this role you will have the ability to work remotely and attend on-site when required based on operational requirements at the 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton ON worksite. The frequency of on-site activities may vary on a weekly basis and based on operational requirements. Your remote work location must be located within the province of Ontario.
• Flexible hours supporting your wellness and wellbeing
• Annual performance review and merit increases based on performance
• Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan

The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved. 
Interview Our recruitment process will be completed with video conference technology.
If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.
As part of the Region’s ongoing commitment to health and safety, there are enhanced COVID-19 specific safety protocols and/or personal protective equipment requirements (e.g. masks, eye protection, etc.) in place to help protect health and safety. The additional requirements are determined based on the nature of the work being carried out.
Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon. The Region of Peel delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 175,000 businesses.
We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible. A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.
Our workforce is 6,500 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support.
Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month® with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, the Region of Peel is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Region of Peel, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than the Region of Peel.
The Region of Peel is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.
The Region of Peel is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact [email protected].
Please be advised, the Region of Peel uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e. testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.