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Job Title

Senior Policy Specialist

Status

Regular Full-Time

Temporary - Approximate length of assignment, in months

Type of Position

an Addition to Staff

Start Date

Immediate

Annually

Salary Grade

$110,068.00 - $125,003.00

Department

York Region -> Office of the CAO -> People, Equity and Culture

Location

Corporate Learning - 50 High Tech Road - Richmond Hill, ON L4B4N7 CA (Primary)
Hybrid work opportunities may apply - CA

Job Description (E)

ABOUT US

Almost 1.2 million residents call York Region home, making it one of the largest regions in Canada – and the fastest growing with a population that's expected to grow to more than 2 million by 2041.Our geography, which is comprised of about 1,800 square kilometres over nine different municipalities, is as beautiful, interesting and diverse as our people. Local government is organized in a two-tier structure and we work together with our local municipalities to provide residents and businesses access to a broad selection of services and resources.

WHAT WE OFFER

Consistently named one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a collaborative, progressive workplace that takes pride in our organizational culture and is committed to living The 13+ Factors of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace – aligned with our vision to create strong, caring and safe communities both within and outside our walls.

• DEFINED BENEFIT PENSIONS PROGRAM - With the Ontario Municipality Employees Retirement System (OMERS) defined benefit pension plan, you can confidently retire knowing that you will have income for life. Eligibility from date of hire as a full-time employee and includes employer-matched contributions.
• EMPLOYER OF CHOICE - Recognized as the highest-ranking government employer in Canada and fourth overall among 300 organizations.
• BENEFITS AND WELLNESS - Employees and their loved ones have access to a comprehensive employer-paid benefits plan that includes extended health, dental and life insurance, access to a 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Program and corporate discounts and purchase plans for day-to-day products and services.
• INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE WORKPLACE - We're committed to fostering an environment that celebrates all dimensions of diversity and ensures everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Our robust Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility program continues to grow, and has been recognized by the United Nations and many other organizations for our leadership.

ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Lead, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), is responsible for project management leadership in the implementation of the Inclusion Charter for York Region within the organization and the development and delivery of the diversity, equity and inclusion action plan and all aspects of policy development; proving primary support to the corporation's Diversity and Inclusion Staff Committee (DISC), supporting Indigenous reconciliation, inclusion and engagement efforts; providing project management leadership and all aspects of policy development to support the development and delivery of the corporate inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) policy frameworks, and full suite of People, Equity and Culture (PEC) policies and programs. Provides policy support and strategic advice to the Branch; interpreting federal and provincial legislation and regulations, monitoring and assessing impact on Regional and PEC policies, practices and programs, including performance measurement, researching, developing and analyzing innovative and strategic policies and programs to respond to corporate needs; preparing environmental scans; and developing cross functional linkages to ensure relevant alignment; preparing briefing notes and committee reports for senior management and Regional Council.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Develops and implements work plans for program policies and strategies, ensuring strong linkages with other Branches/Departments and stakeholders.
• Supports the development and maintenance of corporate IDEA policy frameworks including any associated reports, presentations, policy research, analysis, change management and implementation.
• Supports the development of new, and enhancement of existing PEC policies; interpretation of existing policies within PEC related legislation and regulations, including the research and analysis of issues, options and best practices.
• Researches, analyzes and evaluates social, economic, legislation and policies in a local and provincial context and evaluates applicability to the Region, clients and community agencies and identifying best practices for inclusion in Regional program proposals.
• Gathers and analyzes information and data on program and services related issues; prepares presentations, impact and options analysis, environmental scans, and statistical reports; monitors and reviews data to identify trends and develop Branch strategies.
• Prepares reports and develops statements, program proposals and interpretation, background materials, briefing notes and presentations required by Management and Senior Management on related policies, processes, programs and special projects.
• Provides leadership in secretariat support for committees to inform this work such as the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC), Diversity and Inclusion Staff Committee (DISC), Communities of Belonging.
• Develops and maintains liaison with internal and external clients and stakeholders (e.g., Divisions, Agencies, other municipalities, Ontario broader public sector organizations, AODA departmental leads, DISC etc.) to conduct research for development of policy options and program initiatives, and maintains awareness of current trends, issues and problem-solving approaches.
• Develops and implements and monitors corporate reporting mechanism and compliance monitoring framework for related programs.
• Works with Department management and Regional staff to support the meeting of compliance requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with Branch and Department objectives.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO YR

• Successful completion of a University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Planning or Social Sciences or related field or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five (5) years' experience in a municipal or provincial public policy development sector with responsibilities in leading complex project initiatives and program/policy development.
• Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis person, or as a member of an equity-deserving community would be an asset.
• Knowledge of the corporation's programs and services and the community served.
• Knowledge of human rights legislation, Inclusion Charter for York Region, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policy development and implementation initiatives, Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Knowledge of processes relating to the development of policy.
• Knowledge of contemporary best practices of IDEA and PEC.
• Knowledge of provincial legislative, regulatory and policy framework and ability to interpret and translate into policy and policy options for the corporation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary research and evaluation methods, including experience interpreting and reporting statistical, demographic and socio-economic data, and writing detailed reports and proposals.
• Demonstrated ability in the Region's core competencies.

February 23, 2023

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Scheduled Shifts

Operational Hours

Close Date

May 15, 2024

# of Hires Needed

1

Union

Non Union Staff

.

Please apply online by 5:00PM EST of the closing date indicated above. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

York Region is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise if you require Code-protected accommodation.

Click here for more details on Benefits and Perks .

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