Community Development and Equity Specialist (Housing Services)

at  Region of Waterloo

Community Development and Equity Specialist (Housing Services)
Job Number: 1843
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 99 Regina St S - Public Health & Community Serv
Job Category: Health Care and Social Assistance
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Housing Equity
Division: Community Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 015
Salary Range: $46.18 - $52.32

ABOUT US!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we focus on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core values emphasize caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.
Dish with One Spoon Wampum:

Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Recognizing our shared humanity and land
• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core values, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a 3-year degree in a related field (e.g., community development, equity studies) plus 3 years of related experience, including working on equity initiatives/projects. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. A 2-year diploma in a related field plus a specialized certificate focused on equity approaches and principles is an acceptable educational equivalent.
• Brings lived/living experience through personal understanding of the realities and concerns of priority communities and groups, such as First Nations, Inuit and Metis; African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, and/or member of the 2SLGBTQ+ or other under-represented communities.
• Knowledge and deep understanding of anti-oppression, the impact of discrimination on communities, historical and contemporary issues faced by Indigenous communities in Canada, and the role of intersectionality in experiences.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of positive outcomes/success using anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and/or disability justice frameworks to effect institutional change, including policy, procedural, practical, and behavioural change.
• Knowledge of community development models, strategies, and processes, including collective impact theory and practice, community mobilization, and empowerment frameworks; and adult learning principles.
• Experience working in inter-sectoral linkages, community engagement, and advocacy.
• Ability to initiate, develop, and maintain relationships with equity deserving populations facing barriers and with complex needs, as well as networks and agencies providing services. Ability to manage challenging conversations with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and related legislation (e.g., privacy, human rights, accessibility).
• Experience and skill in people-centered community development with diverse racialized, Black, and Indigenous communities focused on needs assessment, program planning, resource development, facilitation, and project management.
• Ability to analyze political, socioeconomic, and financial factors when supporting program planning and delivery, and exercise sensitivity and diplomacy to balance various factors, including community process, departmental considerations, and research best practices.
• Human relations, facilitation, and communication skills to facilitate meetings and training/orientation; make presentations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret research and reports. Ability to write and compile reports and documents involving project plans, research findings, and content used in fact sheets and information for public, staff, for management approval. Ability to develop program policies and procedures for management approval.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential material.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and databases.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
  The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. The Region of Waterloo invites applications from all qualified individuals. We are strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from Black, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
  The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format.
  Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).

THE ROLE

Acts as a resource and provides equity and community development expertise to identify and eliminate systemic barriers, inequities and accessibility issues in relation to housing programs and services, such as access to affordable housing.
Works with ethno-cultural community organizations to provide system navigation support within housing programs and with related services, and acts as a linkage to bring forward issues impacting communities to support program changes and help ensure the community voice is heard at the Region’s Housing decision making tables.
Collaborates with staff and community partners to support programs and service delivery that is equity-informed, responsive to current and emerging community needs and employs knowledge transfer for community enablement.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as a subject matter expert, resource, and consultant to Housing Services management and staff in equitable community development as it relates to access to housing. Assesses needs, advocates, and supports Housing Services to facilitate community engagement to improve housing system accessibility for groups that experience systemic barriers, from an anti-racism, anti-oppression, decolonized, and disability justice framework.
• Leads or supports projects to eliminate systemic barriers, inequities, and racism in housing program and service delivery. Connects with Community Services and corporate partners as appropriate for expertise, guidance, and alignment with broad initiatives and system frameworks.
• Applies an equity lens and anti-racism approach to program processes and practices to address inequities and systemic barriers to access in housing programs and services.
• As a trusted liaison with the community, provides information about housing policies and programs, and acts as a conduit to bring forward issues from the community to program management and/or department REDI program. Briefs management on issues, and participates in actions, recommendations, and response, including follow up and communication to community groups regarding outcomes, as appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains strong, collaborative, trust-based relationships with community leaders, groups, and organizations serving Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other diverse communities to continue building opportunities to engage and partner in issues related to affordable housing.
• Stays current on how inequality in Housing is expressed by Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, and other diverse communities, and monitors local issues, trends, and outcomes over time.
• Compiles evidence-based information and local data on Housing issues, informing a community development approach. Promotes, facilitates, and supports the application of evidence-informed decision-making and best practices in community development. Evaluates the effectiveness of initiatives, using an approach/methodology that is meaningful to the community and in alignment with departmental and corporate guidelines.
• Works on accountability mechanisms to ensure trends adversely impacting various communities are addressed through collaborative processes that build trust.
• Supports networks and coalitions to engage in community engagement and inter-sector collaboration on housing issues. Develops and leads community engagement strategies and consultation, including sharing knowledge, tools, expertise and experience, to build a thriving community. Obtains commitments from participants and decision-makers through working coalitions such as a community table for housing.
• Develops and facilitates training and orientation to housing staff related to changes in program processes, and in support of departmental or corporate initiatives.
• Periodically leads/facilitates project teams/work groups.
• Prepares/contributes to reports for internal and external audiences, including for the public. Writes information documents, briefs, fact sheets, and articles on housing access and affordability.
• Plans and prioritizes work according to established priorities. Assists management in setting work plan objectives and goals. Regularly meets with management to discuss project progress, update priorities, address key issues and questions, and review work upon completion.
• Performs related duties as assigned.