Job Description

Community Engagement Coordinator

Application Posting Date: June 18th, 2021
Application Closing Date: July 4th, 2021

Friends of Ruby

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of LGBTQI2S youth through a unique combination of integrated and tailored services in mental health, social support, and housing. We are committed to creating welcoming and safer spaces uniquely designed to help build community, emotional well-being, and confidence.

We distinguish ourselves by delivering an integrated transitional housing model to support youth towards independent living, impactful counselling modalities and therapeutic groups, social activities and practical supports that address multiple aspects of a youth’s life (e.g., health, education, employment).

Our services and programs are informed by LGBTQI2S youth, grounded in evidence and research, and led and facilitated by LGBTQI2S individuals. Our staff reflects the diversity of the youth we serve and are skilled in supporting youth towards independence and well-being. Ultimately, we want to help create a Canada where all LGBTQI2S youth are validated, included, and empowered to lead healthier lives.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to coordinate the relationship with members of the community, partner agencies, neighbors and the City of Toronto.

The responsibilities include creating the connection with members of the community by engaging with potential landlords and affordable housing, solving issues from the neighborhood, doing community outreach and building networks and partnerships with other service providers in the community.

This role involves building connection with the community surrounding Friends of Ruby spaces, responding to and addressing community concerns, facilitating Community Liason Committees, providing updates, engaging community members as volunteers or in specific activities at Friends of Ruby’s Transitional House and Drop In. It also has an important role in facilitating engagement that is beneficial for the youth after they have left our programs and services.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide supportive guidance related to neighborhood activities, and systems navigation.
• Connect youth with strength-based supports within their larger communities.
• Develop and maintain open and transparent relationships with Service Providers to improve collaborative approach to supporting participants achieve their goals.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with members of the community and local referring organizations to ensure continuous Client referrals.
• Be the initial contact for community partner leads generated by WCG’s Centralized Support Centre.
• Coordinate all aspects of Community Engagement projects including scheduling and organizing meetings, taking notes and drafting documents, searching for and organizing information, following-up on work plans, monitoring program cycles and milestones, communicating with and updating the leadership team and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Identify and assess suppliers and partners needed for specific programs and activities, negotiating agreement terms to address internal needs, and supporting engagement to ensure efficient and effective project delivery.
• Engage with local political representatives, be a liason with the police, other community engagement representatives, and other key stakeholders.
• Connect with local activities that can be beneficial to the youth at Friends of Ruby.
• Oversee the relationship with the Neighborhood, manage requests and conflicts, recognize and provide appropriate intervention as needed, addressing conflict directly and respectfully and inform Managers at the earliest point regarding potential safety or escalation concerns.
• Report all disturbances and emergencies to the supervisor; complete incident reports as
• Develop positive relationships with community groups, neighbors and resources in the larger community.
• Keep informed of and ensure compliance to all the City of Toronto Shelter & Housing office and Ministry of Health protocols towards COVID 19 measures.
• Seek opportunities to be involved in and contribute to Shelter and Housing Networks, Drop In Networks and other service providers in the Community and the City of Toronto.

Qualifications and Experiences

• At least 2 years’ work experience in housing or social services.
• Degree or Diploma in a relevant field or discipline (Social Work, Social Services, Community Worker) and/or comparable work experience.
• Strong understanding of community development concepts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationships management.
• Bring an understanding of anti-racist and anti-oppression frameworks; the function of power structures in directly disadvantaging marginalized populations; the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender identity, class, sexual orientation, and ability; providing care through an equity lens.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team, multitask and remain calm in situations that involve multiple demands.
• Skilled in customer service, communication and presentations, conflict management and conflict resolution skills
• Understanding of substance use, mental health, and harm reduction gained through direct experience working with individuals, preferably youth.
• Experience working directly with LGBTQI2S marginalized populations and employing community development, harm reduction or recovery approaches.
• Ability to manage administrative duties associated with shelter or institutional operations, ensuring compliance with legislative guidelines through continuous monitoring and evaluation;

Additional requirements

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program.
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada.
• Willing to work at a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the organization, working evenings and weekends on occasions.
• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed.

Hiring Policy / Statement on Employment Equity and Diversity

Friends of Ruby recognizes that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that members of traditionally marginalized groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage applications from the LGBTQI2S and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the job posting. We suggest applicants introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to their level of comfort.

Your application
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter.
We thank all candidates for their interest. We regret that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation (including alternate format materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

How to Apply

Job Categories: LGBT. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: Not Disclosed.

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