Community Planner

10-MONTH CONTRACT POSITION

4 DAYS/WEEK, FEBRUARY – DECEMBER 2023

Internal/External Job Posting

Social Planning Toronto is a non-profit, charitable community organization that challenges inequality in our city through knowledge generation, debate, civic engagement, advocacy, and collaboration, to spark social and policy change. SPT is a United Way Anchor Agency. We also receive funding from the City of Toronto.

Position Summary

We are looking for a 10-month contract Community Planner (4 days (28 hours) per week) with expertise in community-based capacity building and skills training; people-centred civic engagement; and local neighbourhood planning initiatives, to lead the Capacity Building Partnerships Pilot Project (CBP3). This position reports to the Director, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives. 

The CBP3 is a partnership with the City of Toronto and Social Planning Toronto. During the pilot, we will be developing and delivering specialized skills and capacity building sessions for residents who are/were engaged with the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy, SafeTO, and Community Crisis Response Program. In addition to designing and delivering workshops, as well as working with external facilitators, the Community Planner will develop a guide or “Playbook” for resident groups involved in neighbourhood planning tables – focused on community planning/building and/or resident-centred community safety initiatives. The purpose of the capacity building sessions and the Playbook is to provide resources and supports to local neighbourhood planning tables to use to engage community members, lead meetings, build collaborative projects and strategies, access resources, engage with municipal policies and priorities, and more.

The pilot project will prioritize the participation of:

• Indigenous, Black, and other racialized and equity-deserving groups
• Residents who are living in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas
• Other communities of focus as identified by the City of Toronto

The pilot will also highlight civic engagement, resource investment and leadership opportunities for residents through various City programs and equity strategies.

Qualifications/Skills

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in community development, community capacity-building and/or civic engagement;
• Post-secondary education at the Masters level or equivalent work experience in community development, adult education, political science, geography, planning, public policy, or social work preferred;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the inequalities faced by Indigenous, Black, racialized, and other equity-deserving groups and a strong ability to integrate an intersectional gender equity lens into community engagement and daily work;
• Familiarity with city-led community planning and safety initiatives, such as the Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy and SafeTO;
• Excellent organizational and project management skills and able to work in a fast-based, collaborative environment
• Demonstrated effective group facilitation skills, training design and facilitation skills and presentation skills;
• Extensive experience working with diverse residents and communities across the city, including low-income, women, girls, trans, Two-spirit, and non-binary residents, Indigenous, Black, racialized folks, 2SLGBTQ+, seniors, immigrants, refugees, non-status residents, and people with disabilities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

This position is a member of CUPE 1777.

Annual salary range: $49,436.17 - $67,756.24 (pro-rated) plus benefits

In addition to salary, SPT has an excellent employee benefits package that includes sick leave, vision care, dental, hospitalization, drug plan, long term disability, group life insurance and pension plan. SPT also offers 15 vacation days in the first year of employment (pro-rated) and 11 official statutory holidays as well as time off between December 24th and January 1st each year.

Why join SPT?

• Get paid to do systems change work and work with partners across the city to address inequality in Toronto
• Work with smart, passionate, engaged people who care about social and economic justice and work from a community-centred approach
• Work at an organization with six decades of experience collaborating with partners and communities to advance equity

Working Conditions

This is a part-time, 10-month contract position working 28 hours/week with occasional evening and weekend work. This position is based in Toronto, Ontario. Our team is currently working remotely, but plan to return to some in-person work in the coming months.

To apply

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and covering letter outlining how they meet the above criteria to:

Attn: Maria Serrano 
Director of Operations 
[email protected] 

The deadline for applications is February 20 at 11:59 PM.

SPT is committed to reflecting the full diversity of Toronto and to nurturing a respectful and inclusive work environment for all. We strongly encourage qualified applicants representing the full diversity of Toronto to apply. Candidates invited for an interview are encouraged to inform us in confidence of their accommodation needs.

We thank everyone for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SPT has a mandatory vaccine policy that is available for review upon request.

Communications Coordinator

Full-time, permanent position

Internal/External Job Posting 

Social Planning Toronto is a non-profit, charitable community organization that challenges inequity in our city through knowledge generation, debate, civic engagement, advocacy, and collaboration, to spark social and policy change. We work towards an equitable, inclusive, and accessible Toronto — shaped by the diversity of its residents and rooted in social and economic justice. SPT is a United Way "Anchor Agency." We also receive core funding from the City of Toronto. 

We are looking for a full-time Communications Coordinator who will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the communications, public relations, and media strategies of SPT. This position reports to the Executive Director 

Responsibilities and job duties include:

• Develops and implements internal and external communication strategies/policies and prepares the annual communication plan;
• Works closely with SPT colleagues and designs, develops, edits, and disseminates all SPT publications and other key documents, printed and promotional materials (e.g., reports, newsletters, journals, periodic publications, texts, brochures, written and electronic bulletins, flyers, press releases, etc.);  
• Manages and oversees the content and look of the SPT website, including editing, updating content, creating pages for new information, products, and new graphics and visuals; 
• Works with SPT colleagues to support the development and implementation of consultations, forums, conferences, displays, and exhibits, and workshops and special events;
• Prepares materials using current software and technology including communications software, website and other online applications, and desktop publishing; 
• Negotiates with external suppliers (e.g., printing, design, and translators) 
• Develops and maintains media contact list, responds to media enquiries, and acts as the liaison with media; 
• Writes and develops press releases, articles, speeches, media advisories, media kits, and cultivates media relations; 
• Develops and implements marketing strategies for organizational products, for fundraising initiatives, for membership campaign and materials, for resource development strategies, and public relations campaigns; 
• Performs other duties as required at the discretion of the Executive Director. 

Qualifications/Skills

• A minimum 3 years progressive experience in communications or media relations; 
• Undergraduate education in a discipline appropriate and relevant to communications or journalism or equivalent experience in the field; 
• Certificate program or equivalent in design, print production, promotional planning; 
• Strong editorial skills for ensuring accessibility of SPT’s communications; 
• Demonstrated experience in working with media outlets and journalists; 
• Good negotiation and interpersonal skills including the ability to train/coach colleagues; 
• Creative talents in developing community education resource materials and experience in clear language tools; 
• Good organizational skills; ability to meet deadlines; ability to work independently, flexibly, and creatively; and able to take initiative; 
• Knowledge and awareness of social and economic justice issues affecting marginalized and underserved communities and the not-for-profit community sector; 
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of database systems; 
• Demonstrated skills and experience with social media outreach, analysis, engagement, and marketing; 
• Familiarity with website development, design, and maintenance;
• Excellent knowledge of a variety of communications software programs, including experience in a variety of desktop and online publishing programs such as Google Suite, Photoshop, NationBuilder, Canva, Acrobat, and Adobe; 
• Demonstrated experience in the development, design, and layout of digital and print materials including reports, infographics, and fact sheets;
• Excellent writing and communications skills, knowledge of a second (or more) language and culture an asset; 
• Public relations and/or marketing experience in the not-for profit sector an asset.

Annual salary range: $49,436.17–67,756.24, plus benefits 

In addition to salary, SPT has an excellent employee benefits package that includes sick leave, vision care, dental, hospitalization, drug plan, long term disability, group life insurance, and pension plan. SPT also offers 15 vacation days in the first year of employment, 11 official statutory holidays, and time off between December 24 and January 1 each year. 

This position is a member of CUPE 1777. 

Why join SPT? 

• Get paid to do systems change work and work at an organization whose mandate centres on addressing inequality in Toronto
• Work with smart, passionate, engaged people who care about social, economic, racial, and gender justice, and work from a community-centred approach
• Work at an organization with over six decades of experience collaborating with partners and communities to advance equality 

Working Conditions 

This is a full-time, permanent position working 35 hours/week with occasional evening and weekend work. This position is based in Toronto, Ontario. Our team is currently working remotely, but plan to return to some in-person work soon. 

To Apply

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how they meet the above criteria to: 

Maria Serrano 
Director of Operations 
[email protected] 

The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM on January 31, 2023 

SPT is committed to reflecting the full diversity of Toronto and to nurturing a respectful and inclusive work environment for all. We encourage qualified applicants representing the full diversity of Toronto to apply. Candidates invited for an interview are encouraged to inform us in confidence of their accommodation needs. 

We thank everyone for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

SPT has a mandatory vaccine policy that is available for review upon request.