Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function

The Social Planner III is an advanced professional position responsible for the supervision of a team that is preparing strategic policies, plans and undertaking various programs and community building initiatives on highly complex social issues impacting the lives of Vancouver residents. The incumbent will oversee the design of equity based policy and program development across the City in key strategic areas, facilitating internal and external partnerships, building relationships with communities, across sectors, and with research institutions.



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.



Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Managing Director, Social Policy and Projects with staff reports of approximately 6 staff, including Social Planner I’s, II’s, analysts and contractors, and provides functional direction to administrative staff. Key contacts will include senior staff in ACCS and other City service groups, senior government representatives, and leaders of not for profit organizations and institutions.



Specific Duties/Responsibilities

The successful applicant will exercise considerable independent judgement in professional and technical functions, coordinating an interdepartmental team of creative professionals and technical support staff in the development of policies, plans and actions. The position plays a key leadership role in supporting an “equity in all policies” approach as well as efforts toward de-colonization as a City of Reconciliation.



Below is an outline of current strategic initiatives, new assignments may be added or changed over time to respond to changing social issues, operational needs of the Division, and Council priorities.



Refresh of and continued coordination of the Healthy City Strategy, the City’s social sustainability plan
City wide equity framework and intersectional lens development and implementation support
Gender equity, including the UN Safe Cities Scoping Study, sex worker safety, and related projects
Mental health and addictions, including the City’s response to the overdose crisis
Community Economic Development
Poverty Reduction


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 policies, projects and formulation of community development programs, and their implementation;
Managing project scope and approach, timelines, and ensuring that deliverables are met/achieved
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 citizen groups, non-profit organisations, non-profit 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
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

A master’s degree in social policy, social work, community development, human geography, urban planning or related discipline
Minimum 10 years’ extensive and progressive experience in related discipline 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.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrate suitable experience in the socio-economic and/or cultural policy/program development field, and significant expertise, with good results, in community development and community capacity building approaches
Experience in collaborating with significant urban based projects, and have a broad range of experience developing and managing work programs related to policy development, equity, and social justice
Demonstrate experience in preparing policies, practices and/or significant programs that involve complex interrelationships between community development, socio-cultural sustainability, and/or local economic development
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing equity based policy and practice and de-colonization and reconciliation related initiatives
Demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing with a variety of people and situations, and work as a team player with colleagues across a large organization including working with other divisions and departments, and with external groups and individuals
Ability to develop and implement an inclusive range of complex engagement processes with equity seeking communities well as a broad range of public and stakeholder groups, with good results
Ability to clearly communicate complex issues through Council reports and the ability to produce and communicate with visual materials, and a demonstrated ability to mediate conflict situations.
Knowledge and demonstrated experience working with a diverse range of communities that reflect the populations of Vancouver
Knowledge of the City's policies and practices related to equity and social inclusion as well as key services and programs provided by a range of community based organizations, equity seeking communities and those of senior and local government partners
Basic knowledge and awareness of City’s role, services, and programs

Contact Information

Please apply online at https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Social-Planner-III-Corporate-Strategic-Priorities-Brit/666387700/