Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function
Reporting to the Managing Director, Housing and Homelessness Services, the Senior Social Planner works in the Housing and Homelessness Services (HHS) division in Arts, Culture and Community Services. The incumbent provides strong leadership, project management and team-building skills and is a key part of the professional team responsible for policies and regulations for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels, and supports the creation of new supportive housing as outlined in the Housing Vancouver Strategy.

This position will lead the SRO and Supportive Housing Team within the broader HHS division and will bring substantive expertise and creativity to a range of complex issues, with strong project management skills to support critical decisions, projects and strategies.

The Senior Social Planner supervises professional staff, consultants and contractors. The work requires significant collaboration and cooperation across City departments, with senior levels of government, the non-profit & co-op housing sectors, community members and the private development industry.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, coordination, planning, research and analysis related to managing the rate of change in the SRO stock, and increasing the supply of supportive housing through planning and development processes.
- Collaborate with the Planning Department to implement innovative housing policies to respond to homelessness in upcoming/ongoing community planning work.
- Lead City initiatives aimed at protecting, renewing, and replacing SRO housing stock and other innovative housing options e.g. temporary modular homes.
- Build strong relationships with non-profit/co-op partners to maintain and improve the low-income housing stock (i.e. SROs).
- Lead partnering & procurement arrangements with BC Housing to operate new City social housing buildings.
- Collaborate with a wide range of internal departments (VAHA, Planning & Development Services, Development Building & Licensing, Real Estate & Facilities Management, Law, Finance, Parks, and Engineering) and external stakeholders to develop partnerships that will effectively implement housing projects and assist in meeting the new Housing Vancouver targets.
- Provide liaison with the public, community groups, representatives of the development industry, non-profit/co-op housing providers, and senior government representatives and agencies.
- Prepare and present reports and recommendations to senior staff and City Council and attend at Council meetings to represent the Team and respond to questions as required.
- Develop and lead collaborative and robust approaches to engagement and communication with internal and external partners and the public that includes designing, attending and facilitating public processes in a sometimes contentious environment.
- Commit to advance equity and inclusion in all areas of Municipal public service.
- Commit to advancing reconciliation and exploring decolonization in projects, programs and policies.
- Supervise the Supportive Housing and SRO Team by developing individual work plans, performance objectives, training and development opportunities, coach, mentor and motivate staff to achieve high levels of performance, and encourage a team approach to achieving housing and corporate objectives.
- Support the Managing Director in recruitment and managing shifting work demands, providing project management support and ensuring the Team is responsive to changing priorities.
- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- University graduation at the Masters level in business, real estate, planning, public policy, social sciences, or a related discipline, with considerable related experience at a responsible level, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have at least 5 years of related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to lead a team of professional social planners implementing projects using strong coaching and mentoring skills.
- Up to date knowledge and understanding of social, economic, political, technological, demographic and environmental trends, factors and issues related to housing context in Vancouver and Metro area.
- An in-depth knowledge of the factors affecting housing supply and demand, including land use planning, social safety net policies, income distribution, and the influence of individual characteristics e.g., physical disabilities, mental illness, alcohol/drug dependencies, gender, family status, ethnicity, etc.
- Considerable knowledge of project management philosophies and practices, including project scope, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of team activities.
- Up to date knowledge of municipal planning, land development, community development, housing planning and policy development.
- Highly developed methodological, analytical, creative and conceptual skills.
- Ability to develop, review and monitor financial and project analysis instruments.
- Proven ability to develop and present evidence-based recommendations to senior staff, governing bodies and stakeholders.
- Ability to build consensus with internal departments and with external parties including community stakeholders in potentially contentious environments.
- Ability to speak effectively to a variety of audiences, including the general public, community and business groups and to city council.
- Ability to provide clear and concise reports both verbally and in writing.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment.
- Strong interpersonal and conflict management skills.
- Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact.
- Ability to meet transportation needs if field work is required.

Driver’s License and Record Checks:
- A current and valid BC Driver's license is desirable.
- Transportation arrangements must meet operational requirements of the Department.
- A Police Record Check is a requirement of this position. A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

Additional Information

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.

The City of Vancouver has a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy. All external applicants applying to the City of Vancouver are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire and subject to this policy as a condition of ongoing employment. Candidates may only be exempted from this requirement if they request and are approved for an accommodation based on a reason related to a Human Rights Code ground (such as disability). Such a request must be made during, not after, the recruitment process.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: September 2022
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-034: $58.74 to $69.48 per hour

Application Close: August 28, 2022

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ 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.

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

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.. 5-10mins. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a tailored summary of skills and experience related to the position.

Salary: Pay Grade GR-034: $58.74 to $69.48 per hour

Contact Information

recruitment@vancouver.ca

Please submit your applications at: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job-invite/36550/

Employer Profile

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, decolonization, 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.