Social Planner II - Community Economic Development

Requisition ID: 40964

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Community Economic Development Planner II (CED Planner) is part of a staff group that is responsible for achieving increased local employment in particular for people with barriers to employment, enhanced community economic development and poverty reduction, and new business opportunities including social enterprises. The CED Planner and staff are part of a Mental Health & Substance Use and CED Team within Social Policy and Projects.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be working within the CED Team and leading the implementation of the City's Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) policy. The focus of the CBA policy is to ensure that large developments, which fall within the scope of the policy, offer benefit to communities beyond regular community amenities. The CBA focuses on increasing local employment in particular for people with barriers to employment, enhanced community economic development and poverty reduction, and ensuring better opportunities for procurement from small BIPOC owned businesses in these developments.

In addition to overseeing this policy area, the CED Planner will also assist with other CED project including poverty reduction, CED planning and implementation.

This is a professional position requiring independent judgement and initiative in planning, implementing, facilitating, coordinating and executing several technical functions under the general supervision of the Senior Social Planner. The CED Planner II would be involved in a variety of tasks including:

• Updating the existing policy based on data collected and experiences of implementing over the past four years;
• Working with Directors and tech teams to understand impacts of proposed changes in policy;
• Preparing and managing work programs;
• Report writing, including complex Council reports;
• Presenting complex material to staff, the public and City Council;
• Establishing collaborative working relationships with community organizations, societies, social enterprises, businesses, business improvement associations, residents, property owners, developers and other stakeholders;
• Designing, attending and facilitating community events that could include community forums, workshops and meetings (including weekday evenings and weekends);
• Exercising considerable judgment and demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, tact and discretion;
• Analyzing a wide variety of supporting data and information to assist in the formulation and implementation of planning policy, including public benefit needs assessments, economic studies and business surveys, monitoring of implementation progress in terms of the DTES Plan local economy targets and other data;
• Supervising staff;
• Managing consultancies and project budgets;
• Co-ordination and implementation of the CBA Policy, Poverty Reduction Plan, DTES Plan and CED Strategy projects in conjunction with resident groups, BIA's, social enterprises, co-operatives and non-profit societies where necessary;
• Coordination with funding partners to leverage funding packages to achieve implementation outcomes;
• Answering enquiries and corresponding with the public and other departments on matters related to projects, development, by-laws and policies;
• Reviewing rezoning and development permit application proposals for the DTES and other low income neighbourhoods in a community economic development context;
• Consulting with and advising staff of other departments on matters related to major economic projects, community economic development assignments and/or the Poverty Reduction and DTES Plans;
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• A university degree in economic planning, community economic development, community development planning, social justice or a related discipline
• Extensive and progressive experience at a professional level (minimum of 5 years' experience); or an equivalent combination of education and experience, would be preferred.
• Proven experience working in community capacity building and community development, community economic development.
• Experience working with people with barriers, including addiction or mental health related barriers, combined with a broad perspective lens on equity, is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrate suitable professional experience in the economic planning and/or community development field, preferably from working in low-income, inner city communities.
• Considerable understanding of equity and intersectionality and how to apply these concepts to the work;
• Other complex socio-economic development issues related to social enterprises, the survival and shared economies, business improvement associations, co-operatives, community economic development, heritage and the impacts of development and change on different groups of people who are vulnerable and/or marginalized due to lack of adequate systems and supports.
• Experience with the diverse and multiple challenges of the Downtown Eastside and other low-income communities in Vancouver, local economy characteristics, heritage issues, public consultation and managing consultant assignments would be strong assets.
• Demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing with a variety of people and situations; as well as be a leader who can create partnerships and group initiatives to advance work programs within defined timelines.
• Experience in developing and implementing a range of community engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex issues through Council reports and presentations, and a demonstrated ability to deal with conflict.
• Experience in producing and communicating with visual materials is desirable.
• Working knowledge of the Community Benefit Agreement Policy, poverty reduction, the City's Land Use By-Laws, the DTES Plan, the Healthy City Strategy, and a broad knowledge of City services, programs and processes.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 - 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: May, 2024

Position End Date: November 22, 2024

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $56.27 to $66.55 per hour

Application Close: May 5, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.