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 kilometers 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 Pension 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 an employee health care spending account, access to a 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Program and corporate discounts and purchase plans for day-to-day products and services. Casual employees are eligible to receive payment in lieu of benefits and/or vacation.
• Inclusive and Diverse Workforce

  • 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 Program Manager, Health Promotion, this position is responsible for developing health promotion programs and interventions, applying knowledge of the social determinants of health, community development, health promotion  principles and frameworks; conducting research and political analysis to develop recommendations based on evidence-based literature; identifying program priorities by reviewing and analyzing local epidemiological, behavioural and socio-demographic data, including community assets and needs; and collaborating with internal and external partners to promote an evidence-informed population health promotion approach for strategic and efficient programming, education, advocacy, communication, capacity building, and policy initiatives.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Assesses community needs and assets, and analyses qualitative and quantitative information with respect to the public’s health and well-being.

• Conducts environmental scans and reviews relevant literature and data sources, to inform the development of comprehensive health promotion strategies that address upstream prevention and target the social, structural, natural and built environment.

• Identifies and recommends strategies to achieve program objectives and ensure the efficient delivery of a comprehensive program, based on program budgets.

• Develops, implements, and evaluates community-based initiatives, supporting health promotion strategies, such as community mobilization, advocacy, healthy public policy, health education and communication.

• Identifies benefits and barriers that influence, enhance and compromise health behaviours.

• Supports programs to apply a health equity approach, including using health equity tools for assessment, program planning and evaluation.

• Utilizes community engagement skills to conduct focus groups and interviews, identify opportunities and community strengths and develop recommendations for priority populations.

• Consults and collaborates with internal and external partners to support the implementation and evaluation of effective and innovative health promotion strategies and interventions that align with organizational priorities.

• Facilitates the planning and implementation of evidence-informed health promotion initiatives (e.g., advocacy, policy, peer-led programming, supportive environments, capacity building, communication and education-based initiatives) in collaboration with key partners.

• Performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with Branch and Department objectives.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Successful completion of a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion; or equivalent approved combination of education and experience.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a community-based setting, involving health promotion planning, implementation, monitoring or evaluation, conducting situational assessments and environmental scans, or other applied community-based health promotion participatory research.

• Experience with developing plans to implement program goals, objectives, evaluation, and implementation steps, including budgets.

• Experience with analyzing statistical data and trends and applying qualitative and quantitative research findings.

• Critical understanding of theoretical approaches, methods and strategies required for health promotion activities and interventions.