Community Development Program Specialist

**Job Title** - Community Development Program Specialist (Policy and Project Development Specialist) **Status** - Temporary Full-Time **Temporary - Approximate length of assignment, in months** - 24 **Type of Position** - an Addition to Staff **Start Date** - Immediate **Salary** - Per hour **Salary Grade** - $49.52 - $53.81 **Department** - York Region -> Community & Health Services -> Strategies and Partnerships **Location** - Strategies&Partnerships Branch - 17150 Yonge Street - Newmarket, ON L3Y 8V3 CA (Primary)**Job Description (E)** **POSITION PURPOSE** The Community Development Program Specialist position will support York Region’s Children, Youth and Family Situation tables as well as other Community Safety and Well-being implementation programing, providing support for their success and growth and the development of a connected social services system, leverage the partnerships to deliver on regional priorities and strategic initiatives and build on York Region’s governance and capacity to lead Community Safety and Well-being activities. Reporting to the Program Manager, Community Development is responsible for providing project development and management of York Region’s Children, Youth and Family Situation tables; community development and engagement activities with non-profit community agencies/government/resident leaders, including providing coordination and guidance of capacity building activities such as governance, operations, and policy and program planning; developing evaluation frameworks including needs assessment, data management and analysis; and research and analysis to support community development activities; leading project teams; supporting and facilitating various planning committees and working groups; participate in development of strategic plans. Working closely with community based agencies and grassroot organizations to determine organizational development needs and establishing and implementing annually, professional development program and capacity building activities, including training and education; assisting agencies in setting project plans for their successful completion, including site visits and program review, as required; conducting budget analysis and reporting and developing and managing contracts. **MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES** - Coordinates and develops community development program policies and activities and implements the community development strategies for the Department. - Works closely with community based agencies to determine capacity development needs and establishes and implements a program that meets those needs and includes training and education. - Develops an evaluation strategy to assess the effectiveness of the community development activities including gathering input and feedback. - Leads various projects, including conceptualizing, work planning, resourcing and evaluating various short term projects; facilitates focus groups and community partners in collaborative planning projects. - Develops and assesses program and policy options that meet identified Regional, Departmental and community needs; recommends viable solutions and implementation strategies. - Identifies and recommends strategies to implement community development activities. - Carries out research on assigned projects; compiles data and information, and provides analysis on program and services related issues; prepares presentations, impact and options analysis and statistical reports; monitors and reviews data to identify trends and develop community and Branch strategies. - Represents the Branch and Department on external task forces and committees with community agencies, municipal/regional governments and other stakeholders, as directed. - Performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with Branch and Department objectives. **QUALIFICATIONS** - Successful completion of a University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Sciences or related field or approved equivalent combination of education and experience. - Minimum three (3) year’s experience in community development related to the Human Services sector including planning, analysis, program and project development, and administration. - Demonstrated experience working with community agencies, managing multi-partner projects, project budgets, as well as facilitating appropriate linkages. - Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating community wide initiatives and programs using demonstrated skills in evaluation and/or social marketing. - Knowledge of policy, programs, relevant legislation and the implications of political and environmental influences that affect the delivery and funding of community based services and agencies. - Knowledge of statistical/analysis techniques, outcome measures, and forecasting. - Demonstrated knowledge of agency development program and community development principles related to the Human Services sector. - Demonstrated knowledge of c