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Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function
The Social Planner III is responsible for the strategic planning and supervision of a team that is responsible for relationship development, and preparing strategic policies and plans related to arts, culture, and social development in partnership with urban Indigenous communities in Vancouver. This role will also coordinate with Intergovernmental Relations – Indigenous Relations on any city-wide strategic policies related to arts, culture, and social development that may be in partnership with the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. This role will use a relationship and equity-based approach to work internally across these areas to recommend strategies for working in more reciprocal relationships, implement decolonizing practices, and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing into policies and practices.

The position offers an important opportunity to strategically integrate social and cultural sustainability pillars, City of Reconciliation and decolonization efforts within and across Social Policy and Cultural Services.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships
The position will be located within the Arts, Culture and Community Services department (ACCS), and will report to both Managing Directors of Social Policy and Projects and Cultural Services, with staff reports that include social planners and contractors, and provides functional direction to administrative staff. Key contacts will include senior staff in ACCS and other City service groups, other senior government staff, urban Indigenous organizations staff and leadership, including the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council and the Urban Indigenous People’s Advisory Committee to Mayor and Council, staff from Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh’s administrations, not for profit organizations and other institutions.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities
This is a new position, and the successful applicant will exercise considerable independent judgement while coordinating a team in the development of strategic policies, plans and actions.

The Planner III is responsible for a variety of tasks including:
Overseeing and coordinating strategic initiatives in conjunction with ACCS, City and stakeholder groups;
Providing strategic oversight of methods and processes used to build relationships and implement actions of a highly sensitive and complex nature, including research, planning and evaluation;
Providing expertise and guidance on how to assess and apply the information received through engagement to guide strategic planning and policy development;
Advising and recommending actions and policies for new and emerging issues as they arise;
Establishing and maintaining collaborative and reciprocal working relationships;
Supervising and advising on engagement including community forums, workshops and meetings
Managing a staff team and consultants executing a variety of activities, such as the flow of work, strategic design of policies, projects and formulation of programs, and their implementation;
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;
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

University degree in Indigenous studies, social policy, arts, culture, urban planning, human geography and/or related field, with extensive and progressive experience (minimum of 10 years’ experience); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in staff supervision and management
Significant experience consulting with and establishing reciprocal relationships with First Nations and urban Indigenous communities, with good results, in arts culture and/or social development
Relevant lived experience combined with a broad perspective lens on reconciliation and decolonization is preferred
Experience with diversity, inclusion and equity considerations in a workplace environment, is preferred.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the cultural and social sectors, including knowledge of Indigenous cultural and social groups.
First-hand knowledge of and demonstrated experience working with First Nations, urban Indigenous and the diverse range of communities that reflect the populations of Vancouver.
Competency and awareness around local First Nations uniquely distinct, rich and living culture on these lands and the unique communities and cultures of urban Indigenous peoples in Vancouver. The skills and foundation for navigating respectful communication with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh members and urban Indigenous peoples within Vancouver.
Knowledge of the City's policies and practices related to equity, social inclusion, and arts and culture, and those of senior and local government partners.
Knowledge and awareness of the City’s role, services, and programs, and its role in reconciliation, equity, and decolonization
Ability to represent the City of Vancouver, ACCS priorities and the integration of the unique and distinct priorities of urban Indigenous peoples, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples for the City’s arts, culture, and social development.
Be a leader who can develop teams and advance work programs within defined timelines, and effectively prioritize actions according to impacts and changing circumstances
Ability to develop and manage strategic initiatives related to equity, social development, and/or arts and cultural expression in an urban setting.
Demonstrated experience and ability to create and enhance strategic policies, practices and/or significant programs that require interdependent relationships to achieve social and cultural sustainability aims and objectives, and specifically, reconciliation and decolonization.
Ability to develop and implement an inclusive range of complex engagement processes with Indigenous communities, equity-seeking communities and a broad range of public and stakeholder groups, with good results.
Ability to communicate complex issues and the ability to produce and communicate with visual materials, and ability to reflect, translate and bridge distinct cultural concepts.
Demonstrated ability to mediate conflict situations and demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing with a variety of people and situations

Applicants of Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and/or Indigenous ancestry are encouraged to apply.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: January 2021
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-34: $55.35 to $65.47 per hour
Application Close: November 15, 2020

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve e. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, LGBT2Q+ 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.

To be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity with a generous benefits package, please apply on our careers site.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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

Contact Information

https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Social-Planner-III-Indigenous-Senior-Planner-Brit/690275100/

Employer Profile

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. The City of 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, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.