BUSINESS SUPPORT & WORKFORCE PLANNING SPECIALIST (Indigenous Focus)

• Job ID: 60090
• Job Category: Human Resources
• Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Strategic Management Services
• Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Temporary Vacancy (12 months)
• Salary: $94,905.00 - $128,386.00 annually
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 Hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1 
• Posting Period: 26-Sep-2025 to 17-Oct-2025

The Toronto Shelter & Support Services (TSSS) Division is Toronto's Shelter Service System Manager, overseeing and coordinating shelters, support services, and outreach to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing. 

This Business Support & Workforce Planning Specialist in the newly established TSSS Equity Unit will support the Division's organizational development, professional development, and culture-building initiatives, and deliver programs and services that promote the workforce equity strategies and practices for TSSS, with an emphasis on the Indigenous worldview and experience. They will act as subject matter expert, working closely with other communities of inclusion, and will oversee the establishment of a divisional Indigenous-focused inclusion table and mentorship program for Indigenous staff. The ideal candidate has both lived and worked experience in the Indigenous community.

Major Responsibilities:

• From an equity-deserving lens, engages and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, corporate and community partners, to develop and support culture-building and organizational development programs.
• Contributes to and supports the workforce equity strategies and practices to enable an equitable workplace, including targeted strategies for equity-deserving communities, with an emphasis on strategies for Indigenous staff. 
• Builds and manages relationships with equity-deserving communities, divisional teams, staff working groups, committees, and external groups to coordinate projects associated with various organizational development initiatives, including employee engagement, professional development, change management and recognition programs including for Indigenous staff.
• Builds capacity across the Division to embed workforce equity principles into core processes, policies and day-to-day operations and provides advice, information and coaching to management and staff to build a culture of inclusion. Liaises with corporate Equity, Diversity & Inclusion team as needed.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships and creates networking opportunities with under-serviced groups from equity-deserving communities such as Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+ and individuals with disabilities. Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, networks, and community partners, and actively engages and collaborates with others to deepen the culture of workforce equity within the Division.
• Enhances equity and inclusion initiatives through the establishment of a Community of Inclusion landscape.
• Provides leadership and expertise/advice to the unit staff and management across the division, regarding Indigenous-focused equity and inclusion initiatives and strategies.
• Implements detailed transition plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program-specific requirements while supporting equity, diversity and inclusion, divisional culture-building and organizational development through various projects and initiatives.
• Participates in equity and inclusion change management strategies and designs; implements, monitors, and reviews the associated change management process with the division, offering an Indigenous perspective.
• Ensures the delivery of effective workforce planning initiatives and alignment with corporate strategies.
• Supports internal employee communications related to the division's culture-building and organizational development efforts, ensuring timely and effective information sharing.
• Promotes and creates innovative, measurable business solutions in the area of workforce planning, specifically supporting organizational excellence through the development and implementation of a workforce plan to modernize critical human resource processes, with an Indigenous-focused lens.
• Maintains strong awareness of the City of Toronto's Reconciliation Action Plan and Toronto Shelter Standards, Meeting in the Middle Strategy and Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan.
• Works in partnership with unit managers to develop customized employee recognition initiatives and programs for equity-deserving groups, with a focus on those for Indigenous staff.
• Supports the implementation of a refocus on equity, diversity and inclusion at the site and divisional level.

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function (e.g. Human Resources, Organizational Development, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
2. Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person, and experience working with Indigenous Peoples, communities, and/or organizations.
3. Considerable experience leading, developing and implementing equity-focused initiatives/programs/policies.
4. Experience planning, developing and implementing culture-building and strategic organizational development programs, initiatives and operational priorities grounded in equity, diversity and inclusion principles (Indigenous-focus preferred).
5. Considerable experience building the capacity of teams, groups or organizations in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion.
6. Ability to work with a diverse range of leaders and stakeholders at various levels of an organization to facilitate projects and/or initiatives.
7. Ability to support and lead large workforces focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
8. Highly developed communication (verbal and written skills).
9. Ability to use project management and change management skills to ensure the effective implementation and success of projects.
10. Good interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to establish positive working relationships.
11. Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, and contemporary and historical issues, including awareness of cultural teachings and experience working closely with Indigenous communities.
12. Sound knowledge of current issues and trends impacting equity-deserving groups in the field of housing and homelessness, and/or experience working in the homelessness sector.
13. Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity, and respectful workplaces.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.