Full Time Community Program Coordinator

The Community Program Coordinator is a full-time, 40 hours per week position, working generally Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm with some evenings and weekends. This role is responsible to develop strong working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders to support community engagement in New Hope Leslieville. The position will have two key responsibilities – Community and Client Engagement.

The Community Program Coordinator will support the development and facilitation client programs. It will also respond to local concerns and suggestions, nurture sustainable links between New Hope Leslieville 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 New Hope Leslieville. 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.

Community Relations

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with our city councillor, local community leaders, organizations, groups, residents and other community members
• Participate in local community planning initiatives and represent New Hope Leslieville on housing, homelessness and other related community development committees or groups in the city
• Work proactively and inclusively with all stakeholders to support productive community relations between residents and the respite centre
• Respond to community concerns in a timely and respectful manner, that honours the rights our clients  to privacy, while still addressing issues that may arise in the community
• Represent New Hope Leslieville at community tables, and work to ensure all voices are heard; and
• Act as a community resource for conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation, building consensus and strengthening community relationships
• Develop a robust volunteer program for New Hope Leslieville
• Develop a robust student placement program that supports staff and clients of New Hope Leslieville
• On call duties as scheduled

Program

• Conduct applied research to determine the support and programming needs of clients at New Hope Leslieville
• 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 New Hope Leslieville clients
• Develop partnerships with other social service 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 service providers and internal program teams to ensure coordinated and effective services for the client
• Work with Frontline Workers and case management 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 assist clients in employment readiness such as resume writing, identifying training needs, and supports and linkages with employment agencies

Health and Safety

• 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 workplace inspections
• To conduct information sessions (safety talks, staff meetings)
• To assist with incident investigations
• 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 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 Hostel Manager’s position will be required to adhere to all these guidelines in dealing with clients, staff and the public
• Become familiar with the job descriptions and task lists for each position that reports to the Hostel Manager
• Make suggestions to the Management team that will improve efficiency, working conditions and/or procedures
• Represent the Organization in a professional manner

Education/Certifications:

• 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

Experience:

• 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

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• Valid Driver’s License

Successful candidate will be required to provide upon hiring:

• A clear vulnerable sector screening
• A clean drivers abstract
• Participate in our online Armatus Abuse Training and Health and Safety training required upon hiring, as well as updated annually

HOURS:  40 hours per week working generally Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm with on call and occasional evenings and weekends

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.

Internal Applicants, must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.