Community Animator

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to meeting the diverse, holistic health needs of the people of Scarborough by addressing the physical, mental, social, financial and environmental aspects of their health. Through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and delivery of a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services, we cultivate vital and connected communities.

We are currently looking to hire a:
**Community Animator - 1 Contract Position (11 months)**

**Full-Time (35 hrs/ week)**

**Reporting To**:Manager, Community Supports

**Purpose**:
The Lawrence East Partnership Program is a comprehensive and collaborative support service for residents who are vulnerable and have complex needs living in two Toronto Community Housing buildings, 4175 and 4205 Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough.

As part of the Outreach Team, the Community Animator will engage partners to facilitate sustainable, onsite programs for residents. They will collect input from residents and implement new programming ideas in order to meet the needs and wants of the community. The Community Animator will also assist with administrative processes related to the funding requirements, data collection and review.

**Key areas of responsibility**:

- Identify and pursue internal and external partnerships in order to contribute and/or deliver sustainable onsite programming for residents
- Develop and implement pilot programs and workshops in response to client feedback/input
- Collect and enter client surveys and provide input to manager for reporting
- Collect and review client feedback, delegate tasks to team members as appropriate
- Organize and facilitate resident town halls on a quarterly basis
- Participate in organizational committees and appropriate community committees
- Perform other duties as assigned that are reasonable within the scope of the job

**Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Experience)**:

- Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in social service work, community development or a related field, attained from either a degree or diploma from an accredited university or college program and relevant experience
- Demonstrated training, knowledge and experience supporting individuals with mental health and addictions issues
- Demonstrated training and experience facilitating meetings/groups with adults
- Training in crisis intervention strategies (i.e. CPI)
- Two years of experience working with marginalized populations using a community development approach and demonstrated community engagement skills
- Two years of experience working with vulnerable populations including those living with mental health and addiction challenges
- Demonstrated experience with program implementation, evaluation, data collection and analysis
- Demonstrated experience exploring and implementing effective partnership opportunities

**Essential Competencies (Skills and Attributes)**:

- Skills in program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Demonstrated experience initiating and maintaining effective partnerships
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience working in a participant engagement and/or community development model
- Ability to facilitate meetings with community members is mandatory
- Sensitivity to and awareness of cultural, racial and socio-economic diversity within the community particularly around mental health and addiction challenges
- Knowledge and understanding of low income and/or vulnerable populations in the West Hill/KGO community and complex needs of residents preferred
- Effective skills in conflict resolution, mediation and crisis management
- Strong communication, verbal, listening and writing skills
- Proficiency reading and writing a second language is an asset

**Significant Working Conditions**:

- Comfortable working alone in the community with mínimal supervision
- Working in Toronto Community Housing buildings outside regular office hours
- Working environment may include common spaces or residents homes which may not be smoke
- free, may have pets or pests
- Travel between two sites will be required for this position (1 block apart)

**Remuneration**: $21.74 - $24.59

**Pay Band: I**

**Please note**: All other conditions of employment are set out in the collective agreement between SCHC and SEIU.
- We would like to thank all applicants; only those invited to interviews will be contacted._

As an employer, we strive for excellence as a workplace and are committed to building a workforce that enhances our capacity to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. SCHC is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders including our clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information or use our services. We respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the _Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005,_ and its associated regulations. W