Full Time Community Program Coordinator

Description

This role is responsible to develop strong working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders to support community engagement in Islington Seniors’ Shelter.

This position will have two key responsibilities Community and Client Engagement.

The Community Program Coordinator will support the development and facilitation client program. It will also respond to local concerns and suggestions, nurture sustainable links between Islington Seniors’ Shelter and our diverse communities and keep abreast of issues impacting both.

The Community Program Coordinator will develop programming to provide assistance to clients accessing services from Islington Seniors’ Shelter.

This would include accessing specialized social service resources as identified and providing these services on location.

They will also develop recreational and educational partnerships. The successful candidate for this role will work towards building a cohesive, safe and healthy neighbourhood around our facility and for the clients within.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Community Relations 55%

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with our City councilor, local community leaders, organizations, groups, residents, and other community members.
• Participate in local community planning initiatives and represent Islington Seniors’ Shelter on housing, homelessness and other related community development committee or groups in the city.
• Work proactively and inclusively with all stakeholders to support productive community relations between residents and respite centre.
• Respond to community concerns in a timely manner, that honours the rights of our clients to privacy, while still addressing that may arise in the community.
• Represent Islington Seniors’ Shelter at community tables, and work to ensure all voices are heard; and strengthening community relationships.
• Develop a robust volunteer program for Islington Seniors’ Shelter.
• Develop a robust student placement program that supports staff and clients of Islington Seniors’ Shelter.
• On-call duties as scheduled.

Program 40%

• Conduct applied research to determine the support and programming needs of clients at Islington Seniors’ Shelter.
• Develop a work plan to engage community members, faith community members and local social services providers in delivering relevant social, recreational and educational programming to meet the needs of Islington Seniors’ Shelter.
• Develop partnerships with other social services providers to increase programs and services at the shelter.
• Secure facilitators for skill building workshops / programs on topics such as stress management, personal budgeting, nutrition and shopping on a tight budget.
• Work closely with community services providers and internal program teams to ensure coordinate and effective services for the clients.
• Work with Residential Workers and Case Team to facilitate easier access to housing supports including obtaining identification documents, registering for basic financial assistance, enrollment in ODSP, and referral to integrated mental health services by developing effective working relationships with such providers.
• Support programming to support clients in employment readiness such as resume writing, identifying training needs, and supports and linkages with employment agencies.

Health and Safety 5%

• To assist the Director and Assistant Director to ensure that all Health and Safety requirements specific to the Hostel are in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• To perform monthly workplace inspections.
• To conduct information sessions (safety talks, staff meetings).
• To assist with investigation.
• To assist with employee health and safety training.
• To assist, make recommendations and / or correct substandard acts or conditions.
• To assist in commending employee health and safety performance.
• To perform employee safety observations
• To ensure compliance with specific Hostel requirements within sections 25 & 26 of the OHSA.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to the standards that are consistent with the values and philosophy of The Salvation Army.
• Participate fully and constructively in staff meetings and in-service training.
• Engage in formal supervision and performance evaluations.
• Read and follow the policy and procedures manual, the Employee Handbook and the Toronto Shelter Standards, and understand that the Community Program Coordinator position will be required to adhere to all these guidelines in dealing with clients, staff and the public.
• Become familiar with the job description.
• Make suggestions to the Management team that will improve efficiency, working conditions and / or procedures.
• Represent the Organization in a professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

This is a permanent full-time position based on 40 hours per week, working generally Monday to Friday 8 : 00a.m. to 4 : 00p.

m. with some evening and weekends.

Working environment is in the shelter locations in generally agreeable conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

• Minimum two-year Diploma in Human Services, preferably a degree in community development, social work or related.
• Certificate in First Aid / CPR, Crisis Intervention and Conflict Resolution.
• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE :

• One to three years minimum of significant work-related experience in the homeless or community development sector.
• Experience in community development work essential.
• Program planning experience an asset.
• Volunteer management experience an asset.
• Experience with extremely marginalized homeless people with mental health problems, addictions, concurrent disorders and familiarity to a wide variety of resources to meet client needs.
• Valid Ontario Class G Driver’s License and a current copy of a Driver’s abstract for review and verification that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES :

• Ability to develop and implement basic applied research (survey, interviews, focus groups).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated public speaking and facilitation skills.
• High level of comfort working within an extreme diverse and multicultural environment.
• Superior written skills and a high level of proficiency with the Internet and Microsoft Office.
• The responsibilities associated with this position demand a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.

e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening.

Ability and willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

You must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.