Community Development Officer (Focus)

City of Toronto•Union, NJ

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Manager, Community Development, and the Supervisor of Community Risk & Intervention, the Community Development Officer is responsible for supporting, coordinating and leading processes that support the mobilization of collaborative risk driven interventions, coordinate and strengthen inter-sectoral partnerships and identify emerging issues and best practices. Furthering Our Community by Uniting Services (FOCUS) Toronto is an innovative Community Safety and Well-Being Initiative led by the City of Toronto, United Way Toronto and Toronto Police Service that aims to reduce crime, harms, victimization and improve community resiliency. Additionally, the Community Development Officer will work closely with the Community Safety and Well-being section within Social Development Division, other City Divisions, and diverse stakeholders to address emerging issues related to community safety and well-being.

Requirements

Considerable experience in community development and in creating and implementing responses to address changing needs of communities.
Considerable 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.
Experience in developing coalitions, inter-sectoral linkages, community advocacy, infrastructure and capacity building.
Experience designing, developing and delivering a variety of popular and non-traditional, culturally appropriate training tools and outreach material to support community capacity building
Experience assessing complex situations, applying structured risk-assessment or risk-intervention approaches, and exercising sound professional judgment to support coordinated responses.
Degree in Sociology, Social Work, Community Health Promotion, or related a field or approved equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Ability to establish 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.
Experience maintaining and strengthening partnerships and resolving issues across organizations with differing mandates, responsibilities and perspectives.
Knowledge of current models of crisis intervention/management, ensuring community appropriate responses and support.
Strong conflict resolution, interpersonal and problem-solving skills and the ability to develop consensus and recommend effective, strategic solutions at the community level.
Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment and political acuity while working independently in complex and sensitive environments.
Ability to work effectively within equity-focused, trauma- and violence-informed and culturally responsive frameworks with diverse communities and populations.
Knowledge of privacy, confidentiality, consent and information-sharing considerations relevant to multi-agency human-service environments.
Knowledge of community safety and wellbeing issues affecting Toronto residents, including the intersection of mental health, substance use, housing instability, interpersonal violence, victimization, exploitation, justice involvement and other social determinants of health and safety.
Ability to travel to various locations in a timely and efficient manner.

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.
Exercises professional judgment when navigating complex and sensitive situations involving multiple and intersecting risk factors, including mental health, substance use, housing instability, interpersonal violence, exploitation, justice involvement, physical health, social isolation and other health and social vulnerabilities.
Works closely with FOCUS lead partners United Way Toronto, Toronto Police Service to co-chair and facilitate partnership tables across the City and identify, develop and support practices to enhance collaborative approaches.
Builds, strengthens and maintains relationships with community organizations, health and social service providers, City divisions, educational institutions, justice-sector organizations and other partners participating in or supporting FOCUS Toronto.
Coordinates and/or provides advice, project management and policy development support to FOCUS Toronto and initiatives within Social Development’s Community Safety & Well-being Section.
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.
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 safety and well-being, community crisis response, 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.
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 community safety and well-being issues 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.
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 and residents.
Maintains accurate program records and data and supports monitoring, analysis and reporting related to program outcomes and emerging trends.
Prepares briefing materials, reports, presentations, correspondence and other program documentation for management, senior leadership, elected officials, partners and other stakeholders as required.
Supports projects, pilots and continuous-improvement initiatives that strengthen FOCUS Toronto's response to emerging or complex areas of risk and improve coordination across participating sectors.