Commissioner Community Services

at  Niagara Region

ABOUT US

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.
At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.
We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontario or email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca
For the Region’s full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

DON’T HAVE EVERY QUALIFICATION?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.
Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Chief Administration Officer, the Commissioner of Community Services provides a high level of strategic leadership in the delivery of a diverse portfolio of community programs and services to the Regional Municipality of Niagara, building external networks, alliances and partnerships to create vision and influence results that enhance the quality of life for citizens while ensuring that departmental programs and services support the strategic priorities, objectives, and initiatives of the Region.

EDUCATION

• Post-secondary degree in Business or Public Administration, Social Work, Health Administration or Behaviour Sciences or equivalent discipline.
• Masters degree preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and qualifications may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE

• At least 10 years senior management experience in a Senior Management capacity in a community, Human Services, or long-term care environment.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing multi-faceted strategic plans for diverse interests with wide-ranging impacts.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance certificate.
• Must maintain the ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• May be required to support emergency operations under the incident management structure, at the direction of the Emergency Operations Centre Director.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the development and implementation of Community Services programs, including Children Services, Social Assistance, Housing Services, Homelessness Services, Community Policy and Service Planning Initiatives (e.g. Community Safety and Well-being), Municipal Long-term Care Services and Seniors Community Programs for Region of Niagara. (40% of time)

• Develops department goals and strategies that support the implementation of Council’s strategic priorities and CLT goals and objectives, establishing success and performance indicators, measurement tools and operational standards, to monitor department results achievement and manage deliverables.
• Ensures operating and administrative policies and practices for the department are developed and implemented, in accordance with the policies established by Regional Council and administrative directions set by the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Ensures all community services, operational plans, activities and initiatives support diverse interests.
• Ensures compliance with provincial and federal requirements (financial and operations)
• Provides advice and guidance on program and service delivery issues, identifying controversial and sensitive issues that may impact the department’s success, assessing potential risks and developing strategies to address issues.
• Monitors trends, issues and changing circumstances in the external environment, conducting environmental scans, assessing impacts on budget and financial performance, and ensuring long-range plans incorporate internal and external anticipated realities.
• Challenges current practices and modifies organizational/departmental structure and systems in anticipation of the changing external environment.
• Ensures operational processes, policies and protocols are established and compliance is monitored, assessing changes in legislative/regulatory requirements, identifying potential areas of vulnerability and risk, providing advice on emerging issues and developing strategies to ensure continued program and service delivery success.
• Balances multiple stakeholder views and needs (the taxpayer, the individual, staff, multiple programs and services, politicians) to create sustainable communities and effective program delivery.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR STRATEGIC, LONG RANGE PEOPLE RESOURCE PLANNING FOR THE BUSINESS UNIT, SUPPORTING CORPORATE CULTURE AND STRATEGY, ENSURING AN ENGAGED WORKFORCE RESULTING IN OPTIMAL PEOPLE PERFORMANCE BY DETERMINING IDEAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES, IDENTIFYING DESIRABLE ROLE AND SKILL MIX REQUIREMENTS AND ENSURING ONGOING WORK QUALITY AND DELIVERABILITY OF RESULTS. (15% OF TIME)

• Working through leadership team, enables results with the organization’s People Plan to foster employee engagement.
• Oversees employee performance, career development, and succession planning activities, ensuring open and transparent metrics and processes are developed and implemented and opportunities are created to facilitate employee growth and development.
• Ensures effective communication between leadership and staff, so ultimately staff is connected to corporate priorities and direction and has the information and resources required to make successful plans and decisions.
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices.
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, maintained and integrated into all aspects of planning and decision-making within the operating unit.
• Ensures the competency and performance of the Internal Responsibility System within their department, as outlined in the Niagara Region’s Health and Safety Policy is achieved and maintained.

DEVELOPS, MANAGES, AND APPROVES ANNUAL AND MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL AND OPERATING BUDGETS FOR THE BUSINESS UNIT, ENSURING SUPPORT OF COUNCIL’S OBJECTIVES, ADHERENCE TO PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL SPENDING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUDGET ADHERENCE, AND IDENTIFYING AND EXPLAINING VARIANCES AND FINANCIAL REPORTING IS EFFECTIVELY MANAGED IN COMPLIANCE WITH CORPORATE FINANCIAL POLICIES. (15% OF TIME)

• Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures.
• Approve the delegation of division and department budget ownership outside of established guidelines for managers and directors.