Community Development Specialist

Job Details
Permanent Full Time CUPE 1329

Posting Status
Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date
Applications for this position must be received at by no later than 11:59 pm on November 3, 2025.

The Community Development Specialist works with the community to develop community plans and strategies and establish partnerships with groups, organizations and agencies for service delivery. Responsibilities also include community support, capacity building and community outreach as well as development of supportive policies and processes. The Community Development team supports the department by; administering various grants, develop and deliver relevant training and resources, managing the departmental volunteer program, inclusion supports and coordination of outreach for programs and events.

Job Responsibilities
Community Plans, Strategies and Partnerships

• Acts as a resource to local communities; identifies, develops and implements community development plans and new recreation opportunities that reflect specific needs;
• Assesses the needs of underserved and diverse populations and neighbourhoods and develops strategies for increased access, targeted programming and affordable access;
• Develops a partnership framework and initiates and supports partnerships/initiatives with Town-wide and regional partners (other Town departments if relevant, not-for-profit and public sectors – e.g. education, health, sports). Negotiates program and service partnerships;
• Conducts research on emerging trends, best practices and standards in community engagement and specific communities and neighbourhoods that will provide direction to department staff in targeting services to their communities;
• Represent the Town of Oakville, Recreation and Culture Department in the community and build relationships with community members and community groups.

Community Support and Capacity Building

• Manages community support programs such as affordable access (e.g. fee subsidies, regional and private sector support programs);
• Builds capacity through working with and supporting community groups, and organizations in order to move them towards self-sufficiency.

Outreach

• Develops and introduces outreach services ensuring equitable distribution to priority neighbourhoods and creates innovative, cost-effective methods of delivering services to the community. Supports innovation including the implementation of pilot initiatives and supports for replicating successful pilots across the Town;
• Facilitates networking between the private, public, and volunteer sectors to provide alternative methods of recreation program service delivery;
• Initiates and champions special programs and projects including direct program delivery.

Department Support

• Develops and maintains policies, standards, guidelines, training and tools to assist staff with outreach and capacity building, including recommendations on human resource deployment;
• Leads, manages and develops the department's volunteer program to build community capacity and engagement;
• Acts as a resource for the department and provides direction in relation to community engagement and recreation programming;
• Coordinates departmental outreach at community events / initiatives;
• Prepares and manages budget;
• Researches and administers grant applications for governments, foundations, etc., in support of community initiatives in order to leverage department resources.

*Qualifications:*

• Successful completion of a 4-year University Degree in Recreation and Leisure, or Community Development, or other related field and a minimum of 5 years' experience in community development and recreation service delivery/management/program planning. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Skills and knowledge in community engagement/development processes, practices, models and approaches including community capacity-building, improving community well-being, outreach, communication, conflict resolution and collective impact models, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, partnership development and management skills.
• Must be a skilled facilitator with advanced verbal and written communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, analysis, report writing and grant writing. Ability to collaborate and build relationships and partnerships with the community (community groups and organizations (non-profit and private sector), neighbourhoods, and with Town and department staff, and different levels of government.
• Strong political acumen.

DATED:
October 21, 2025

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. The minimum threshold score for each of the testing and interview components of the recruitment process is 75%.
We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.