Social Assistance Relationship Specialist

Job Description

About the role

Location: Remote with regional travel requirements

Travel Expectations: Minimum weekly visits and attendance expected at OW/ODSP local offices, Service Provider sites, and community events in Toronto region.

The Social Assistance (SA) Relationship Specialist focuses on improving client services, facilitating communication, and ensuring that SA clients receive the support they need to find sustainable employment. This role is responsible for building, maintaining and nurturing relationships with Social Assistance (SA) delivery agents including Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support (ODSP) partners, using data and performance insights to improve engagement strategies and improve referral outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of social assistance programs and possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

What you’ll do

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Social Assistance (SA) delivery agents (OW and ODSP offices) and community partners.
• Communicate regularly with SA delivery partners to provide updates on project progress, successes, and challenges
• Work in partnership with Social Assistance delivery partners to establish and support referral targets and strategies that increase client access to Employment Ontario services
• Develop and deliver ongoing training, information sessions and resources for EO Service Provider Network staff and OW/ODSP partners on integrated employment services, referral pathways and effective practices
• Monitor, analyze and interpret SA referral volumes, conversion rates, caseload trends and engagement activity to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Identify performance trends, service gaps and opportunities across SA offices and EO service delivery
• Translate data and performance insights into actionable recommendations to strengthen referral pipelines and improve client outcomes
• Prepare clear performance reports, dashboards and summaries to support decision-making by leadership and key partners
• Coordinate with internal operations teams to align services and resources with the needs of OW and ODSP clients
• Stay updated on changes in social assistance legislation and ensure EO staff are informed
• Coordinate with internal operations teams to align services and resources with the needs of OW and ODSP clients

Qualifications

What you bring

• Bilingual (English and French) an asset.
• Strong understanding of social assistance programs and benefits.
• Experience and knowledge of the landscape of local services that offer specialist support or those of different inclusion groups.
• Understanding of local public sector services and commissioned services.
• Experience working in an outcomes / target-based environment.
• Able to work autonomously and self-starter.
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people (CEOs, senior managers, front line staff)
• Ability to build strong partnerships and identify opportunities for collaboration

For complete job requirements, see the full Job Description here.

Additional Information

What we offer

• Competitive salary of $65,000 - $70,000 per year
• Comprehensive and flexible health and dental benefits
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Generous time off policy to encourage work/life balance
• A diverse and inclusive workplace with a track record of high employee engagement and teamwork

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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Matter

WCG is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to achieving a workplace that is equitable and representative of Canada’s diverse population. We actively work to attract, develop, and retain employees from diverse and equity-deserving backgrounds who have exceptional ability and the desire to make a difference. We continuously strive to support individual needs and differences in a work environment that is built on inclusivity and respect for everyone.

WCG is committed to providing an accessible, barrier free recruitment and selection process. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise us if you require accommodation in advance of any part of the recruitment and selection process.

Passion and Lived Experience Matter!

If you don’t quite have the above credentials but feel passionate about this role and your ability to do it successfully, please APPLY ANYWAY! Tell us in your application why you believe you would be a great fit. We believe in developing talent and have a wide range of opportunities to support passionate team members as they grow towards their employment goals.