Community Development Worker

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is

House of Friendships Community Centre programs walk with our community to prevent and reduce the impacts of poverty, hunger and isolation in Waterloo Region to contribute to a healthy, resilient community where all can belong and thrive. The Community Development Worker will coordinate community development and engagement activities and provide programs that build local capacity and reduce the impacts of poverty, isolation and food insecurity.

*** This is a permanent, salaried, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position with paid sick time, personal days, vacation time, group health benefits and defined contribution pension plan.**

**Schedule to be typically Monday to Friday (days/evenings) with**

**very occasional weekend shifts.**

**Requirement to have a valid G class driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.**

**Requirement to complete a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) pre-employment.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Take a lead role in planning, promotion and implementation of food and/or community programs for the community centres and partner sites
- Take a lead role in community consultation and community leadership development initiatives
- Complete administrative tasks related to the programs - including documentation in appropriate databases assigned to the program, registration management and record keeping, data entry, survey management and program expenses
- Coordinate the team to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming space at the assigned community centre or programming space and to ensure that the team members are complying with Health and Safety standards in all aspect of the program
- Lead and oversee a team of part time staff, volunteers and students on site to implement programs and initiatives
- Provide the lead role in addressing any incidents occurring at the program, both physical and behavioural including supporting staff to complete incident reports for both House of Friendship and partner sites
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with community partners related to the food and/or community programs. Act as the site contact for the community centre program at partner locations
- Complete and support other program staff, students, and volunteers to complete administrative tasks related to the programs, including registration, record keeping and managing expenses
- Participate and support other program staff, students, and volunteers to participate in program evaluation, including administering surveys and assist the Supervisor in reporting to funders
- Assist with other tasks as needed at the various community centres and partner locations

**Job Specific Knowledge/Skills**:

- Ability to work independently with mínimal supervision, acting as the site contact for a team of staff, volunteers and students
- Ability to make decisions and problem solve independently with the support of their supervisor.
- Interest in and understanding of community development principles
- Confident leading and coordinating programs, comfort building relationships with diverse community members
- Lived experience of and/or commitment to issues of poverty, food justice and social justice an asset
- Proficiency with computer skills, including MS Office (MS Word and Excel), with ability to learn new programs (L2F)
- Proficient written and verbal communication skills, working level English
- Ability to communicate in language relevant to our communities (Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Farsi) with connection to diverse cultural communities is an asset

**Education/Experience**:

- Post-secondary education in a related field such as social sciences, community development, food and nutrition, recreation required
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience in program planning, group facilitation, and community outreach with diverse populations in a community setting
- Experience working with people on a low income is an asset

**Critical Skills**:

- Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship
- Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills required
- Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
- Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
- Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultat