ONTARIO WORKS POLICY & PROGRAMS ADVISOR

at  City of Toronto

Job ID: 50598
Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
Division & Section: Employment & Social Services, E&SS Workforce Dev & OW Program Support
Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary Vacancy (12 months)
Salary: $93,734.00 - $123,449.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 23-OCT-2024 to 06-NOV-2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Manager, Program Support, the Ontario Works Policy & Programs Advisor is responsible for reviewing, interpreting, analyzing and developing policy options related to the Ontario Works Act and Regulations, as well as Employment & Social Services’ policies and procedures, ensuring communication to divisional staff is clear and applied consistently across the division and that the information is accessible for the determination of initial and ongoing eligibility for financial benefits and employment supports.

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Public Administration, or other relevant discipline related to the job function, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in interpreting and applying the Ontario Works Legislation and other legislation related to the delivery of social assistance programs in Ontario.
• Experience in providing policy/program development and evaluation advice and information/knowledge to management.
• Experience conducting research required to support policy development, procedures and best practices.
• Experience in preparing comprehensive reports and developing presentation material on various topics.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, work with cross-functional teams, set clear directions and design terms of references and project plans.
• Experience supervising ad hoc policy projects when assigned.
• Ability to provide divisional staff with clear policy direction/advice that is aligned with the Ontario Works Program to assist in local decision-making.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to apply those skills using a wide range of media with numerous stakeholders including clients, staff, community agencies, senior management and government officials/politicians.
• Well-developed listening and interacting skills and demonstrated ability to work with competing demands, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with an ability to monitor, and evaluate existing programs, services, business processes and training modules in order to identify best practices and opportunities to improve service delivery through technology change and business process innovations.
• Strong understanding of privacy, security and auditing; how these can be reviewed, monitored and enhanced with regards to systems implementation.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity and inclusion and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health & Safety

• Reviews legislation and policy changes/direction from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) related to the administration of the Ontario Works program and determines impacts on the organization and identifies any potential impact on service delivery for clients and residents of the City of Toronto.
• Identifies and develops options for policies, management practices, performance measures and makes recommendations for enhancements to mandatory and discretionary programs and services to ensure effective service delivery.
• Works with other ministries such as the Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities, in addition to MCCSS, when policies developed and introduced impact the way in which clients on Ontario Works are serviced and the benefits and services that they receive.
• Ensures programs, policies and procedures are consistent with provincial and federal legislation and council direction.
• Liaises with and works with other City divisions in policy development and implementation for City programs available to clients on Ontario Works.
• Evaluates and make recommendations on alternative service delivery and business process methods; develops policies and procedures and may provide training or act as a consultant for development of staff training modules.
• Maintains a thorough and continuous awareness of provincial, city and divisional policies and procedures and communicates as required divisionally.
• Develops and drafts new procedures, guidelines, and policies to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Develops policies that reinforce the City of Toronto’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and building positive and respectful workplace environment.
• Consults with subject matter experts to understand and document business processes related to policy.
• Develops and supervises processes to ensure information on programs and services is current and consistent with legislation and is accessible in all required formats for staff and the public.
• Analyzes the potential impact of proposed legislation and regulation changes, identifies divisional impact on operations and recommends enhancements to operational policies or procedures to comply with changes to the administration of the Ontario Works Act.
• Provides advice for implementation of new/revised policies, procedures and processes and prepares, as required, communication materials and implementation strategies for the division within the timelines enforced by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
• Conducts reviews of the application of policies and legislation ensuring compliance to provincial and divisional directions.
• Deals with confidential and sensitive information related to the administration and audit of benefits affecting social assistance clients and program delivery.
• Authors’ comprehensive written reports, briefs and policy documents including recommendations for submission to Senior Management staff, City Council and Committees, as required.
• Coordinates the management of a clearing house function, responding to inquiries for clarification on the management of the Ontario Works program and policies.
• Escalates to Senior Management and MCCSS any policy/legislative changes that can negatively affect social assistance clients.
• Confirms technology supports, in consultation with the other stakeholders, to ensure clear direction to staff in applying policies and procedures.
• Consults with other municipal delivery agents in the researching impacts of legislative changes and gathers intelligence on policies and practices, operational issues/impacts, and potential budget impacts.
• Participates in municipal consultations and provides a liaison role between internal and external stakeholders, MCCSS, other Ontario Works delivery agencies and City divisions.
• Gathers relevant information and performs analyses on a wide range of data and issues, often of a high profile and sensitive nature in consultation with the Manager.
• Conducts research as required, ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
• Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program specific requirements.
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Supervises the day-to-day operations including the scheduling, assigning, and reviewing of all work performed by unit staff. Authorizes and coordinates vacation and overtime requests. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments, hears grievances, and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• Provides input into and assists with monitoring of operating and capital budgets, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
  Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Public Administration, or other relevant discipline related to the job function, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in interpreting and applying the Ontario Works Legislation and other legislation related to the delivery of social assistance programs in Ontario.
• Experience in providing policy/program development and evaluation advice and information/knowledge to management.
• Experience conducting research required to support policy development, procedures and best practices.
• Experience in preparing comprehensive reports and developing presentation material on various topics.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, work with cross-functional teams, set clear directions and design terms of references and project plans.
• Experience supervising ad hoc policy projects when assigned.
• Ability to provide divisional staff with clear policy direction/advice that is aligned with the Ontario Works Program to assist in local decision-making.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to apply those skills using a wide range of media with numerous stakeholders including clients, staff, community agencies, senior management and government officials/politicians.
• Well-developed listening and interacting skills and demonstrated ability to work with competing demands, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with an ability to monitor, and evaluate existing programs, services, business processes and training modules in order to identify best practices and opportunities to improve service delivery through technology change and business process innovations.
• Strong understanding of privacy, security and auditing; how these can be reviewed, monitored and enhanced with regards to systems implementation.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity and inclusion and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health & Safety.