Community Development Worker

House of Friendship•Kitchener, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

At House of Friendship, we are driven by a mission to make a difference in our community, serving and walking alongside individuals with compassion and a commitment to growth. We are seeking an individual to join our Community Services, Neighbourhoods team as a Community Development Worker. This role will focus on coordinating community development and engagement activities, and delivering programs designed to build local capacity and alleviate the impacts of poverty, isolation, and food insecurity.

Requirements

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, acting as the site contact for a team of staff, volunteers and students
Ability to make decisions and problem solve independently with the support of their supervisor
Interest in and understanding of community development principles
Confident leading and coordinating programs, comfort building relationships with diverse community members
Proficiency with computer skills, including MS Office (MS Word and Excel), with ability to learn new programs (L2F)
Proficient written and verbal communication skills, working level English
Post-secondary education in a related field such as social sciences, community development, food and nutrition, recreation required
A minimum of 2 years’ experience in program planning, group facilitation, and community outreach with diverse populations in a community setting
Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship
Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills required
Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

Nice To Haves

Lived experience of and/or commitment to issues of poverty, food justice and social justice an asset
Ability to communicate in language relevant to our communities (Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Farsi) with connection to diverse cultural communities is an asset
Experience working with people on a low income is an asset
Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

Responsibilities

Take a lead role in planning, promotion and implementation of food and/or community programs for the community centres and partner sites
Take a lead role in community consultation and community leadership development initiatives
Complete administrative tasks related to the programs – including documentation in appropriate databases assigned to the program, registration management and record keeping, data entry, survey management and program expenses
Coordinate the team to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming space at the assigned community centre or programming space and to ensure that the team members are complying with Health and Safety standards in all aspect of the program
Lead and oversee a team of part time staff, volunteers and students on site to implement programs and initiatives
Provide the lead role in addressing any incidents occurring at the program, both physical and behavioural including supporting staff to complete incident reports for both House of Friendship and partner sites
Develop and maintain positive relationships with community partners related to the food and/or community programs
Act as the site contact for the community centre program at partner locations
Complete and support other program staff, students, and volunteers to complete administrative tasks related to the programs, including registration, record keeping and managing expenses
Participate and support other program staff, students, and volunteers to participate in program evaluation, including administering surveys and assist the Supervisor in reporting to funders
Assist with other tasks as needed at the various community centres and partner locations