Division

Housing / Hostels / Homelessness

Important Notices & Amendments

This position currently falls within our hybrid model, allowing the employee to typically work a minimum of 50% of your time at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE REVIEW:

It is the responsibility of the applicant to upload a current resume that clearly highlights all relevant experience, education, and certifications. Applicants are expected to carefully review the job description to ensure their application meets these requirements. Only those who provide complete and accurate information will be considered.

Temporary Duration

Approximate Duration: 24 months

About Us

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontarioor email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don’t have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

Job Description

Job Summary

Salary Pending Review

Reporting to the Manager Housing Service Providers & Programs, the Housing Provider Unit Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the administration of the affordable housing program; providing direction, clarification and guidance to all relevant invested parties; ensuring that non-profit and cooperative housing providers are meeting their obligations in compliance with provincial legislation and/or existing operating or service agreements, Niagara Region Housing Services (NRHS) policies/standards and housing program service agreements with operational audits and risk mitigation strategies. Oversee and monitor the Housing Provider capital asset program. This position provides leadership, supervision, guidance and direction to a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of the legislative and regulatory oversight to ensure compliance for 51 Non-Profit Housing Providers. The Supervisor also supports the Special Projects consultant with project-based work.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Public Administration, Social Services, Social Science, Public Administration, Paralegal, Business, Construction Engineering, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination or education and experience
• Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) certificate program
• Accreditation in property management from a recognized institution such as the Institute of Housing Management (IHM) is preferred
• Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) through OACETT is an asset

Knowledge

• 5 years of progressive experience in a similar environment in one or more of the following areas:

o Leadership, managing government funded programs, administration of risk management and/or compliance, property management or other property management related environments

o Interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, policies and procedures to identify appropriate solutions

o Budgetary processes, capital plans, financial analysis, and interpreting audited financial statements

o Experience working with contentious administrative and legislative issues

o Experience working with building-related drawings, tenders, RFPs, building condition assessments, maintenance standards, etc.

• 3 years supervisory experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Housing Services Act (HSA), Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), privacy legislation (MFIPPA and PIPEDA), Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code.
• Significant computer and technology skills, specifically in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Strong investigative, analytical, communication, dispute resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing and implementing process improvements is preferred.
• Bilingual English and French is considered an asset

Responsibilities

Creating policies and procedures for monitoring and administering the implementation of service and exit agreements with non-profit and cooperative housing providers, acting as a conduit between them and the Region to establish new relationships: (35% of time)

• Establish policies and procedures that support and ensure compliance with new service agreements to protect valuable housing provider stock, ensure the on-going viability of housing providers and maintain Service Level Standards to support Niagara Region.
• Work collectively with the Housing Services Special Projects Consultant to ensure decisions support the financial viability of housing providers and are financially feasible for the Region to support.
• Work with the Region’s legal department to develop service and exit agreements.
• Work with the Region’s finance department in the development, administering and monitoring of housing providers 10 year financial plans
• Oversee and monitor the housing provider capital asset program, ensure Building Condition Assessments (BCA) are completed according to awarded tender and established timelines.
• Analyze and review the established policies and procedures in the implementation of service agreements, once tested, evaluate and determine amendments, if any.
• Ensuring the services provided are in compliance with current housing program legislation, policies, guidelines and standards through leading in the timely development, implementation, communication and modification of monitoring processes, Service Manager local rules and notices, and risk mitigation interventions.
• Create and revise reporting requirements, templates, communicate deadlines, and audit revisions and submissions.
• Oversee the development of the Integrated Housing System (IHS) system

Supervising the administration of the affordable housing program for non-profit and cooperative housing providers, including but not limited to (25%):

• Ensuring operational reviews are completed regularly based on a scorecard rating system.
• Provide leadership to ensure Housing Administrators and Asset Program Advisor meet Programs divisional requirements with regards to operational reviews, monitoring and follow-up as a result of compliance and operational auditing.
• Provide guidance on how to address challenges, develop appropriate strategies and agreements when dealing with providers who are in difficulty and addressing legislative breaches as well as breaches of operating agreements and ongoing evaluation of outcomes.
• Responding to complex situations that arise by recommending appropriate solutions or engaging staff to problem solve and assist with appropriate solutions.
• Advise the Consultant and any vested parties regarding changes to legislation and any resulting actions required.
• Develop polices and procedures with regards to notices, local rules, policies, complex housing provider issues and recommends improvements to policies, programs or services.
• Approving the year-end reconciliation and budgets of individual housing providers.
• Develop and create notices with regards to local rules and changes in legislation and resulting housing services polices.
• Provide oversight, clarification, and direction to housing provider boards, staff and/or management agents, and government officials on legislative requirements, Service Manager local rules, property management methods, policies and good business practices in all areas of property management (governance, funding agreements, rent-geared-to-income calculations, conflict of interest, maintenance issues, eviction procedures and tenant relations).
• Develop and distribute training materials to housing providers and conduct workshops on various aspects of social housing programs.
• Working autonomously to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with housing providers and serve as the primary representative of the Service Manager, escalating contentious issues to management if unable to resolve.

Compliance and Operational Auditing - Plan and conduct moderate to high complexity compliance and risk audits/reviews to ensure compliance with legislative requirements and Service Manager policies and procedures (15% of time)

• Lead, coordinate, oversee and monitor multi-disciplinary teams, both internal and external, in conducting operational audits/reviews of housing providers.
• Investigate and complete risk-based assessments and analysis of business processes and internal controls related to governance, financial, property management/staffing, tenant/member relations, RGI calculations, preventative maintenance and capital asset management to identify issues.
• Ensure timely submission of findings from the Housing Administrators, Housing Program Accountant and Asset Administrator, review and compile the information for incorporation into the audit/review reports, and determine if further and/or more detailed investigation is required.
• Prepare clear and concise written review reports utilizing category and sub-category rankings, legislative references, comments, recommendations, directions, charts, applicable samples and NRH Notices, and the creation/modification of business processes to improve operational efficiency.

Project support and solution development and assessment (10% of time)

• Under the direction of the Consultant, provide analysis and direction in the development and implementation of intervention strategies affecting long-term financial effectiveness and viability of housing providers such as: projects in difficulty; housing providers in non-compliance; operational difficulties.
• Analyze outcomes of operational audits/reviews to identify common issues, problems and trends.
• Monitor external resources to remain abreast of changing regulations and assess risks and exposures to Niagara Regional Housing and housing provider boards. Collaborate with, and gain the cooperation of, providers and tenants/members to mitigate or eliminate those risks and ensure the protection of the Service Manager’s financial assets.
• Review and monitor housing provider responses to reports and implementation status to ensure compliance with directions, persuade and negotiate as needed to ensure desired recommendations are completed, assist in preparing action plans, and determine further audit/review scheduling priorities.
• Review, analyze, and approve the housing provider year-end submission documents and financial reconciliation and take action required to ensure timely submissions of Annual Information Returns, financial statements and budgets by housing providers.
• Act as Niagara Region Housing Services Appeals Committee. Review and analyze appealable decisions with regards to RGI calculations and eligibility, occupancy standards, and local priority groups, using Local Rules and relevant legislation to decide whether the decisions are upheld or overturned.
• Investigate and analyze creative solutions to support housing providers and facilitate partnerships

with housing providers that are reaching their End of Mortgages and End of Operating Agreements.

Supervises staff, coordinating and planning work, providing work direction, assigning tasks and projects, determining methods and procedures to be used, monitoring quality of work, resolving problems and ensuring assigned results are achieved. (15% of time)

• Enables results with the organization’s human capital strategy to foster employee engagement.
• In conjunction with the Consultant provides training and development, coaching and discipline when necessary, and manages staff recruitment.
• Ensures focus is service excellence, communication/transparency, innovation, and data integrity and work flow integration.
• Ensures staff has the information and resources to make successful plans and decisions.
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices, with support from the Consultant
• Helps to break down barriers to employee success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with other teams within their division and department
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, and maintained. This includes workplace inspections, monitoring, accident reporting and investigations, and ensuring any observed hazards or lapses in the functioning of OH&S processes, and other OH&S concerns are responded to promptly.
• Ensures all individuals under supervision have been informed of hazards and instructed on the necessary risk control and emergency response measures.
• Manages and administers annual Operating budgets for delegated authority ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Administer and approve the acquisition of goods and services for direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy.

Other duties as assigned

Special Requirements

• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.
• Must possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted specified license for the class of the vehicle operate.
• Must maintain the ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• Occasionally required to attend after-working hours housing provider board meetings

Closing Statement

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email: myhr@niagararegion.ca
• Phone: 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215
• Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department