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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

  • Job ID: 56278
  • Job Category: Community & Social Services
  • Division & Section: Economic Development & Culture, EDC Arts & Culture Services
  • Work Location: CITY HALL, 100 QUEEN ST West, 6th floor
  • Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, Temporary (12 Months)
  • Salary: $87,800 - $116,745
  • Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 Hours per Week
  • Affiliation: Non-Union
    Number of Positions Open: 1
  • Posting Period: 08-Jul-2025 to 29-Jul-2025


Reporting to the Manager of Arts Services, the Community Development Officer is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing strategies, outreach-based initiatives and resources to establish and strengthen community relations and partnerships, improve access to resources including funding opportunities and arts and cultural programming and events for Torontonians, with particular focus on the engagement of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving populations and communities outside the city’s core, in alignment with Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto.  

Major Responsibilities:

  • Leads the development, design and implementation of strategies and initiatives to advance access to and awareness of resources and city-wide arts and cultural programming/experiences for the public, particular focus on the engagement of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving creatives and communities outside the city’s downtown core.
  • Co-ordinates and/or provides research, management advice, outreach strategies and actions and policy development support to maximize cultural investments for Torontonians, prioritizing communities outside the downtown core.
  • Collaborates with relevant staff members to lead and coordinate the development, design and implementation of culturally appropriate outreach material, campaigns, strategies used to promote arts and cultural programming and events and establish new ways to highlight and discover city-wide arts and cultural experiences at the neighbourhood level.
  • Develops, coordinates and leads community consultations to identify needs of communities across the city to inform policy, programming and build relationships.
  • Works to deepen the engagement of existing audiences and partners and to develop new audiences and partners to make it easier for communities to discover cultural opportunities in Toronto, led by the City and by others in the culture sector.
  • Works with City divisions, sections and units, external agencies, boards, commissions and relevant community partners and stakeholders/rights holders to advance outcomes of Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto.
  • Acts as a primary linkage to the arts and culture sector, community stakeholders and rights holders to build and strengthen community connections and partnerships.
  • Works with communities, service providers, and other institutions to develop and support innovative and accessible service responses to reduce barriers amongst vulnerable communities.
  • Monitors and innovates to support strategic inter-sectoral programs, networks, partnerships to communicate and promote arts and culture programming and initiatives.
  • Integrates anti-oppression principles into place-based and city-wide community-based arts and cultural programs/initiatives.
  • Administers project budgets ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limits.
  • Prepares Terms of Reference, Request for Proposals and other procurement processes in accordance with the City’s policies and procedures.
  • Acts as a resource for community, City staff and politicians in identifying and acting on current and anticipated community needs and issues.
  • Prepares reports, briefing notes and presentations as required.
  • Prepares, collects, monitors, analyzes data and evaluation material including performance indicators.
  • Leads the coordination and facilitation of community-based events including workshops and consultations as well as cultural summits and / or town halls.
  • Ability to travel across the city to conduct site visits and meet with community stakeholders / rights holders.

Key Qualifications:

  1. A post-secondary degree in an arts or creative discipline including marketing, or a related field or a combination of education and experience.
  2. Considerable experience strategically planning, coordinating and delivering projects in the arts and culture sector, particularly in one of these areas: community-engaged arts, community development and/or community relations. Experience should include conducting needs assessments and promoting events and initiatives in an arts and culture context.
  3. Considerable management experience including issue management, project management and leadership, report writing, agenda setting, conflict resolution, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, financial management, data collection and having sound managerial judgment in public and community relations.
  4. Experience working locally to develop, plan and carry out community engagement and consultation activities that involve and support diverse groups, including Indigenous peoples, Black communities, equity-deserving populations, artists, and arts organizations.
  5. Experience designing, developing and delivering a variety of culturally appropriate outreach materials that support cultural programming, community initiatives and events.
  6. Ability to establish strong, effective working relationships with all City service areas, community organizations, representatives from various levels of government and elected officials
  7. Considerable experience in project coordination including the definition of project purpose and objectives, project activities, milestones and deliverables, monitoring and tracking progress and communications with stakeholders.
  8. Ability to develop and facilitate events such as consultations, workshops, webinars and charrettes with a variety of stakeholders including residents, community members, the public, community organizations, representatives of different levels of government and more.
  9. Ability to manage competing priorities and demands in a fast-paced environment with high expectations and competing deadlines.
  10. Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing and preparing and delivering presentations to various audiences. Knowledge of process and outcomes evaluation methods.
  11. Ability to develop consensus and recommend effective, strategic solutions at a City and community level.
  12. Familiarity with government legislation in the area of AODA and occupational health and safety
  13. Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.
  14. Ability to work flexible hours which may include; overtime and occasional evenings and weekends.

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.

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