Who we are:

Join us at Ottawa Community Housing, where we are more than a home to about 33,000 tenants across approximately 15,000 homes. As Ottawa's largest social and affordable housing provider, ranking second largest in Ontario and fourth largest in Canada, we're committed to enhancing tenant well-being through partnerships with local service providers and support agencies.

At OCH, diversity and equal opportunities are at the core of our workplace culture. We strive to mirror the vibrant communities of our city and have been honoured as the National Capital Region's Top Employer every year since 2018.

WE ARE PROUD BECAUSE EVERY DAY WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Together, we're transforming tenants' lives by “providing more than a home, because we care”.

What we offer:

Joining OCH means making a meaningful difference every day. We provide opportunities to positively impact your community in multiple ways. Recognizing that our employees are the cornerstone of our organization, we offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, flexible work options, professional development opportunities, health and wellness programs, and more.

What we seek:

OCH is currently seeking a dedicated Community Developer to work with internal and external stakeholders to create and sustain healthy, safe, and inclusive communities for our tenants. Under the guidance of the Community Development Manager, the Community Developer will empower and increase the active participation of our tenants and communities while also responding to community inquiries and concerns and building positive and productive relationship between all stakeholders.

Community Developer with OCH:

Improving our tenant’s quality of life is a main priority for our organization. As the Community Developer, you will be a key player in building better communities for our tenants to call home. By using your communications and interpersonal skills, you will be the first to witness the positive changes that you will bring to the lives of our tenants.

As a Community Developer, some of the things will do include:

• Work with tenants and partners to co-create community development plans and activities and implement them using community development models
• Build and maintain an informed knowledge base of community agencies, resources, needs, challenges, and opportunities of assigned communities
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with tenants, tenant groups and community partners
• Provide timely response to inquiries and concerns from the community
• Identify and respond to incidents and situations that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of assigned communities
• Support the development and maintenance of tenant groups and individual engaged tenant leaders
• Review tenant funding applications and support tenant groups with financial management
• Support the functional supervision and coordination of activities by volunteers and student placements
• Provide coaching and guidance in development of tenant leaders and volunteers
• Acquire, develop and implement educational resources related to community issues
• Assist with the development and implementation of programs and services developed through partnerships with the broader resource community
• Ensure the appropriate documentation and reporting of work
• Provide information on OCHC policies to tenants, community groups, and other service providers

As a Community Developer, you can look forward to:

• A hybrid workplace with unique and ever-changing work tasks every new day
• Positive and rewarding interactions with various individuals
• Using your skills to create a positive change in our communities

What you bring:

Education & Experience:

A typical candidate will have the following qualifications and experience. Exceptional candidates with different qualifications will be considered at the discretion of the employer if demonstrated experience, knowledge, and ability warrant.

• Completion of a university or college program in social sciences, social work, or related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience working with communities marginalized and challenged by barriers to full participation in the broader society
• Experience working with or within the housing sector is an asset
• Knowledge of asset-based community development approaches
• Knowledge of community development practices and frameworks
• Understanding of the diverse needs, abilities, cultures, and other considerations present in OCHC tenant communities
• Knowledge of community capacity building
• Knowledge of intervention, conflict resolution and mediation strategies
• Knowledge of community resources and networks
• General knowledge of project management principles

Skills and abilities:

• Effective written and verbal communications
• Ability to build professional relationships
• Ability to assess issues, resources and needs, identify solutions and implement action plans
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while implementing a team-based approach to the service delivery
• Ability to identify situations that require escalation to supervisor
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to respond with compassion and empathy to emerging issues and opportunities
• Ability to deliver a high standard of client service
• Proficiency in the use of information technology such as mobile devices and computer systems
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, database applications and other standard corporate software
• Work in a confidential manner and demonstrate diplomacy when dealing with sensitive issues
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Proficiency in English is required
• Proficiency in an additional language commonly used by OCHC tenants is required

Other requirements:

• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check
• Valid “G” driver’s license or equivalent and/or must have access to a vehicle.

Work conditions:

This is a full-time (35 hours) hybrid position with on-site attendance as required.

OCH is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please notify Human Resources and we will work with you to jointly address your needs.

Apply now!