Community Development Coordinator

(One year Maternity Leave Contract)

The Ralph Thornton Centre (RTC) is a vibrant community gathering place, service provider and catalyst for community development.  RTC is one of the agencies, boards and commissions of the City of Toronto in the community of Riverdale.  We collaborate with others to create a healthy, inclusive and vibrant community.

Job Summary:

The Community Development Coordinator develops and coordinates a variety of community development projects that lead to tangible improvements and / or address systemic problems in South Riverdale.  The key role of the Coordinator currently is to coordinate a unique community learning and community building project in Rivertowne, the mixed income, revitalized Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) neighbourhood.  

Responsibilities:

• Lead a process of community capacity building and community development in a complex mixed income neighbourhood that includes a TCHC development, market-rate condominiums and single-family dwellings;
• Strengthen the community building skills of residents to sustain the overall community development process; 
• Help residents find ways to undertake community safety initiatives and create effective collaborations with politicians and the police to address safety and crime issues;
• Increase the connections between Rivertowne residents with resources and opportunities that are immediately relevant to their lives, e.g. health services, food access initiatives, financial literacy, employment training;  
• Lead or play a role in a variety of workshops, small groups, committees, community gatherings and events;
• Assist and support other staff involved in community engagement and outreach projects;
• Supervise and mentor other staff and volunteers and recruit, train and supervise post-secondary placement students working on community development projects; 
• Sustain and strengthen partnerships and relationships with TCHC, community agencies and groups, private sector partners, and City staff;
• Provide thorough documentation of project activities and lessons learned.

Qualifications:

·         Substantial experience in community development work and / or popular education;

·         Strong understanding of and passion for community development from an anti-oppression framework;

·         Strong experience supervising and mentoring staff, volunteers and students;

·         Substantial experience working in non-profit sector and with diverse communities;

·         Very good coordination and community outreach skills;

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills;

·         Excellent facilitation and presentation skills;

·         Post-secondary education in related field (e.g. social work, non formal education, community organizing, etc.) or equivalent work experience;

·         Self-motivated, resourceful, flexible, organized, detail-oriented;

·         Computer literate;

·         Knowledge of the Riverdale community an asset

Eligibility:

A police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.

This is a one-year contract to replace someone on maternity leave.

Approximate Start Date: March 5th, 2012

Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. (with some evenings and occasional weekends)

Closing Date for Application: February 15th, 2012

Please send resume and cover letter by email, fax or mail to: 

Sandra Partridge jobs@ralphthornton.org.

RTC is a unionized workplace and staff are represented by CUPE 2998.  We welcome applications from the diversity of our community.  While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.