Social Planning Associate

The Role

Advises management on social planning, policy analysis and development, project management, and community capacity building within the Department (Children’s Services, Employment & Income Support, Housing Services, Strategic & Quality Initiatives, Seniors’ Services). Works with departmental staff, other departments, and community stakeholders to develop, implement, and evaluate programs, services, and partnerships that improve quality of life.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises students. Administers contracts with consultants (e.g., research, training development). Leads committees and project teams. Provides technical direction to other staff.
• Assists internal and external stakeholders to identify strategic and system-level policy gaps and opportunities. Leads service, staffing, and system reviews, and recommends changes to senior management. Makes recommendations regarding funding allocation and additional resources. Develops and advises on implementation plans. Analyzes, develops, and recommends policies and guidelines. 
• Stays current on funding opportunities offered by government and community partner initiatives and recommends pursuing same to management. Prepares funding applications. 
• Provides planning-related leadership, support, and expertise to management. Identifies issues, needs, resources, and opportunities for integrated planning across divisions, departments, and the community, and facilitates same.   
• Develops and facilitates community capacity building. Represents assigned Division/the Department on related committees and at community functions.  
• Manages projects to design and implement social planning processes and frameworks (e.g., service plans, long-term system plans) and is accountable for ensuring objectives, work plans, and timelines are set and met. Leads project teams.
• Provides leadership, support, and expertise in program research and evaluation to internal and external stakeholders. Develops methodology and data collection tools. Analyzes data, predicts trends, prepares reports, and makes recommendations on program and policy changes.
• Prepares and presents reports to senior management and standing committees of Council. 
• Provides program and service information to staff, stakeholders, and the public (e.g., website, promotional material).
• Exchanges information with staff in other municipalities, Ministries, agencies, and education institutions. 
• Provides information to management in response to information requests from the public and the media.
• Provides assistance and information to service providers and community agencies, as it relates to policies, directions, and priorities.
• Works with and provides advice to staff and senior management in the Department and other departments (e.g., Public Health, Community Planning) on community development, policy issues, program development, service system plans, and initiatives.
• Develops and monitors legal agreements to ensure compliance with legislation, in consultation with Legal and other departments.
• Presents and discusses issues related to delivery of contracted services, program plans, and policy with senior management and Community Services Committee.
• Promotes the Department’s vision and philosophy of integrated customer service within and across divisions, across departments, and within the community, with stakeholders.
• Creates and maintains the Department’s component of the Regional Emergency Plan, as directed.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of municipal and provincial social service and healthcare programs and related legislation; interrelationships between levels of government, public administration, strategic and social planning, research and evaluation, community development, program administration, and factors impacting social wellbeing and quality of life, normally acquired through a Master’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Social Work, Social Planning, Community Psychology, Social Policy, Human Service Administration), plus progressively responsible related experience in a social services or related field.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and relevant legislation, guidelines, and direction.
• Research, analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills to create project goals and objectives; develop work plans; make systematic and rational judgments; schedule and organize events; and take a broad view of issues, events, and activities and understand their longer term impact/wider implications.
• Leadership, facilitation, negotiation, and human relations skills to manage, develop, motivate, train, and support others in achieving objectives; build consensus and communicate effectively within a diverse service group; develop joint programming with community partner agencies; participate in news conferences and respond to media inquiries; present proposals and reports; make presentations to departmental and Regional staff (including senior management, Council, Committee), community groups, and other organizations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret legislation, guidelines, and direction; policies and procedures; government and community publications; budget and financial statements; statistical information; contracts; and proposals. Ability to write/prepare policies, procedures, and program requirement frameworks and guidelines; reports; articles; service plans; and correspondence.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential material.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, and database systems.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.