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Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function
The Anti-Racism/Cultural Redress Social Planner III in Social Policy & Projects provides strong leadership, analytical and conceptual skills and is a key part of a team that develops and monitors the implementation of various City strategies related to social sustainability, including the City of Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy, emerging Equity Framework, Poverty Reduction Strategy, and Accessibility Strategy. The position will oversee policy development, and city wide public education, dialogue, and socio-cultural programming on anti-racism, multiculturalism, decolonization and cultural redress related issues for racialized, immigrant and refugee communities, and provide leadership in civic and community based initiatives concerning racialized individuals and communities, immigrants and refugees.

The range of projects undertaken by this role will be interdepartmental in nature and led by a collaborative staff team from the Social Policy and Projects Division that will work closely with groups within the ACCS Department and other City departments to facilitate cooperation and collaboration.

The Social Planner III will lead a team of planners with specific and immediate portfolios focused on anti-Black racism, South Asian apology and policies in support of undocumented immigrants. The position also initiates and oversees anti-racism policy work for the City and seeks opportunities to work in partnership with senior government on shared anti-racism and multiculturalism initiatives. This position brings substantive expertise and creativity to a range of complex social issues, undertaking rigorous analytical and research activities to support critical decisions, plans and strategies.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships
This position reports to the Assistant Director, Social Policy & Projects and supervises professional staff, consultants and contractors. The work requires significant and ongoing collaboration and cooperation across City departments, with senior levels of government, academic and research institutions, the non-profit social sector, advocacy groups, the private development industry and other external stakeholders.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities
The successful applicant will be expected to exercise considerable independent judgement in professional and technical functions, coordinating an interdepartmental team of creative professionals and technical support staff in the preparation of plans and actions. Emphasis will be on providing strategic oversight and leadership on the implementation of actions that deliver on Council priorities including a city wide anti-racism policy, Anti-Black Racism, South Asian Apology and the Punjabi Market regeneration initiative. Another focus will be overseeing policy development and implementation related to the integration of newcomers in the City including barrier free access to city services for undocumented immigrants. The position supports and contributes to the City’s effort as a City of Reconciliation, the Equity Framework and in the implementation of recommendations in both the Historical Discrimination Against Chinese People report as well as actions in the New Start Strategy for Newcomers.

The Planner III would be responsible to execute a variety of tasks including:
Preparing and managing a staff team and consultants executing a variety of activities, such as the flow of work to junior staff, design of projects and formulation of community development programs, and their implementation;
Providing strategic oversight of methods and processes used to implement actions of a highly sensitive and complex nature, including project planning and evaluation;
Significant oversight of co-ordination and implementation of projects in conjunction with senior government, citizen groups, BIAs, non-profit organisations, ethno cultural groups and research institutions;
Supervising professional and non-professional staff;
Procurement and management of consultancies and project budgets;
Report writing, including complex Council reports;
Presenting complex material to staff, management , the public, and City Council;
Establishing collaborative working relationships with senior governments, funders, community organizations, businesses, immigrant and refugee groups, City’s advisory committees, residents, property owners, developers and other stakeholders;
Supervising community engagement including community forums, workshops and meetings (including weekday evenings and after hours on weekends);
Exercising considerable judgment and demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, tact and discretion;
Supervision of the analysis of a wide variety of supporting data and information to assist in the formulation of initiatives, including in depth understanding of community needs and priorities, analysis of demographic and other trends, studies and surveys;
Answering sensitive enquiries and corresponding with the public and other departments on matters related to projects and policies;
Overseeing the review and recommendations of funding proposals;
Consulting with and advising staff of other departments on matters related to major projects assignments and/or;
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated experience in preparing policies, practices and/or significant programs that involve anti-discrimination, reconciliation and complex interrelationships between community development, socio-cultural sustainability, local economy, and the public realm
Knowledge and experience in collaborating with significant urban planning projects
Ability to create innovative social policy and solutions that have an impact on outcomes for City priorities
Ability to work effectively on social policy and projects both with internal City departments and with external stakeholders including federal and provincial agencies and the non-profit sector.
Ability to demonstrate a high degree of versatility and adaptability to changing circumstances, sound judgement and independent action.
Considerable knowledge and experience in facilitation of complex issues and projects.
Demonstrated ability to mediate conflict situations
Highly developed methodological, analytical, creative and conceptual skills.
Ability to lead a team of professionals in developing strategies, policies, guidelines and projects using coaching and mentoring skills and direct the work of consultants engaged on policy and projects.
Considerable knowledge and experience in project management and practices including project scope, budgeting, scheduling and coordination of team activities.
Considerable knowledge of the social non-profit sector
Significant expertise, with good results, in developing and managing community development and community capacity building approaches
Ability to develop and implement an inclusive range of complex engagement processes and create collaborative partnerships, including with ethno cultural minority groups and immigrant and refugee serving organizations, as well as a broad range of public and stakeholder groups, with good results
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present and explain complex issues and evidenced based recommendations through Council reports and to senior staff committees, and external stakeholder groups
A working knowledge of the City's policies and practices related to equity, social inclusion, as well as key services and programs provided by a range of community based organizations, ethno cultural specific service agencies and those of senior and local government partners. A broad knowledge of City services, programs and processes is also required.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: October, 2020
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-034: $55.35 to $65.47 per hour

Application Close: August 26, 2020
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities and persons with disabilities. The City of Vancouver is always interested in adding high performing team members to its staff. If you would like to be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity, please apply on our careers site.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Education and Experience:
A master’s degree in social policy, social work, human geography, urban planning or related discipline
Minimum 10 years’ extensive and progressive experience at a professional level or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Relevant lived experience combined with a broad perspective lens on diversity, is preferred
Experience with diversity, inclusion and equity considerations in a workplace environment, is preferred.

Additional Information

Qualified applicants are invite to apply via our website: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Social-Planner-III-Anti-Racism-Cultural-Redress-Brit/668540400/

Salary: Pay Grade GR-034: $55.35 to $65.47 per hour

Contact Information

jobs.vancouver.ca

Employer Profile

The City of Vancouver is striving to become the greenest city in the world, and a city powered entirely by renewable energy before 2050. We are proud to be one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and one of Canada's Greenest Employers. With employees that have helped Vancouver consistently rank as one of the world's most livable cities, the City values a diverse workforce which represents the vibrant community we so proudly serve.

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