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Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function

The City recognizes that Indigenous, Black, African diaspora, and other racialized people experience significant inequities in Vancouver, and is taking an anti-racist approach to this scope of work. The City of Vancouver is undertaking a strategy to address anti-Black racism that is affecting the well-being of Black and African diaspora communities along with all Vancouver residents.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Social Policy and Projects and supervised by the Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress Social Planner III, the Social Planner II works with an inter-departmental team to develop and implement responses on anti-racism and cultural redress, and to lead the response on anti-Black racism. This work includes convening individual, community, and government stakeholders; advising City departments as they coordinate and enhance programs and policies related to anti-racism; and, working collaboratively with all partners to further develop and implement recommendations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the City’s advocacy and public engagement role with other levels of government to take a stance against racism and anti-Black racism in particular
- Supports the honouring and advancement of recommendations provided by Black and people of African descent to the City of Vancouver through actions and work programs
- Works with community, inter-departmentally, and with City Advisories to engage Black and African diaspora communities and community organizations
- Contributes to the development of a comprehensive, holistic and long-term plan to address the various dimensions through which anti-Black racism plays out
- Conducts analysis, research, literature review, focus groups, and interviews to deepen actions against anti-Black racism internally and externally in policies, procedures, practices, services, and programs
- Contributes to addressing anti-Black racism in all city systems including, but not limited to community support services, housing and homelessness; arts and culture; and work with public partners and communities to highlight and advocate to combat racism in other systems including criminal justice systems; employment; and education
- Contributes to reconciliatory and cultural redress efforts specific to Black and African Diaspora communities including, but not limited to Hogan’s Alley
- Promotes the rights and freedoms of Black and African Diaspora community members and provide information and support regarding redress when rights and freedoms are violated.
- Develops, delivers and evaluates public dialogue on anti-Black racism
- Contributes to Public Partner and Community Working Group on Anti-racism’s efforts including disaggregated data collection, safe reporting, and mental health supports
- Mobilizes and coordinates City’s anti-Black racism efforts in collaboration with community and other governmental partners
- Convenes internal and external stakeholders; and, collaboratively makes recommendations and implement action plans with partners;
- Supports the development and implementation of recommendations, reports and presentations to City Council, and Council Committees;
- Leads planning, researching, implementing, facilitating, coordinating and executing initiatives and supervises a Planning Assistant as required;
- Consult with and advise other City departments on matters related to project assignments
- Liaises with other City departments to advise on other priority projects as well as alignment of policies, actions, granting, etc.;
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- University graduate degree in Social Sciences (Master’s level preferred) in a related field with extensive and progressive experience at a professional level (preference will be given to candidates with a minimum of 5 years experience) or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required.
- Demonstrated experience in applying an anti-racism, equity, intersectional lens in an institutional context is essential.
- Strong relationships and experience working with Black Canadians, Black, and African Diaspora communities is needed to do this work.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities, including local First Nations xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), urban Indigenous peoples and other racialized communities and marginalized groups is also preferred.
- Relevant lived experience as a person from an under-represented background in the workplace environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable understanding and knowledge of anti-Black racism and its connection to systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, trauma from incidents, cumulative impacts of racism, and systemic inequalities and injustice;
- Considerable understanding and knowledge of racism and specifics of anti-Black racism as it relates to anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, sexism, transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, classism, xenophobia, and ableism;
- Considerable experience in research, analysis, literature review, focus groups, and interviews
- Experience engaging people with lived experience, children, youth, and elderly community members
- Demonstrated experience in public engagement and planning processes and report writing;
- Considerable experience in training and facilitation with individuals with racialized and other intersecting identities
- Demonstrated experience in public engagement, education, planning processes, report-writing, and oral presentation
- Demonstrated experience in supervising staff, contractors, and managing budgets
- Current knowledge of local organizations, including organizations, social agencies, and services operating in Vancouver led by and in-service of Black, Black Canadian and African Diaspora communities
- Current knowledge of community-based and culturally sensitive mental health supports;
- Ability to navigate complex and sensitive conversations with tact, and excellent facilitation skills;
- Ability to co-create with others, both internal City and external partners, towards common goals;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives, projects, report on outcomes, and meet deadlines; and,
- Ability to exercise good judgment, initiative and work independently as well as part of a team.

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: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: October 2022
Position End Date: March 2023
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $51.78 to $61.23 per hour

Application Close: September 4, 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.

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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: Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $51.78 to $61.23 per hour

Contact Information

Email: recruitment@vancouver.ca

Please submit your applications at: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job-invite/36788/

Employer Profile

Company

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.