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The City of Thunder Bay provides exceptional quality of life to those who live, work, and play in Thunder Bay – a culturally vibrant, economically diverse community with a metro population of over 120,000. Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, under the protective watch of the Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay is rich in people and resources, and connects Northwestern Ontario to the world. We value our high quality of life and promote a clean, green, beautiful, and healthy community that provides economic opportunity, respects diversity, and provides affordable and safe neighbourhoods that are accessible to all.

The City of Thunder Bay is a place where art, culture and nature come together!

Watch this video to learn more about our City at:

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the City Clerk and the Deputy City Clerk, the Specialist is responsible for supporting the City in achieving compliance with its legislative requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Key responsibilities include developing an accessibility plan for the City of Thunder Bay; serving as the primary contact and resource for accessibility issues and the AODA and for promoting awareness and understanding of accessibility and the AODA and its regulations; coordinating and/or conducting accessibility audits; and coordinating AODA training requirements and developing/deploying education initiatives to increase awareness of disability issues and facilitate attitudinal changes.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops an accessibility plan in compliance with regulations and standards under the AODA; prepares status reports and delivers presentations on matters relating to compliance.
• Serves as the primary contact and resource for both internal and external groups regarding accessibility and accessibility plan issues; provides community outreach and consultation with broader community regarding accessibility issues.
• Receives and responds to internal and external inquiries, requests for information, and public complaints regarding the AODA and accessibility issues.
• Recommends policy changes and provides support to departments in developing new/reviewing existing policies, programs, and practices from the perspective of barrier identification and removal.
• Coordinates and/or conducts accessibility audits; develops audit timetables, writes reports on/ presents findings to senior management; works with departments to develop strategies and processes for removing barriers.
• Acts as liaison between City staff and the Accessibility Advisory Committee (the Committee), including coordinating regular meetings; participates on the Committee as a resource; seeks advice from the Committee in developing compliance, implementation, and consultation; chairs the internal accessibility committee, as required.
• Coordinates AODA training requirements, assisting individual departments with identifying training requirements; monitors and reports on training for compliance.
• Monitors and updates content on the City’s accessibility web pages.
• Develops and deploys education initiatives to increase awareness of disability issues and facilitate attitudinal changes.
• Responds to requests for accessible formats and communication supports; arranges for accommodations for public meetings when requested; and participates in initiatives that support accessible elections.
• Monitors the City’s accessibility fund; assists with providing cost estimates for accessibility initiatives as part of the budget planning process.
• Researches and maintains an awareness of disability rights and inclusion principles applicable to municipalities; participates in municipal information sharing networks regarding accessibility issues.
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Degree or diploma in social services, community development, public administration, or a related discipline
• Minimum of three to five years’ experience relating to accessibility, equity, or human rights issues; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience in relation to community programming and advocacy
• Knowledge of issues and barriers faced by those with disabilities and issues relating to accessibility and equity
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret applicable legislation and related regulations; specifically the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code

Skills/Abilities:

• Superior ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to deliver presentations and facilitate learning to a variety of audiences
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, members of Council, co-workers, committee members, government agencies, community organizations, and the general public
• Proven organization and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to problem-solve and to conceptualize and implement organizational change strategies
• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software and the use of the Internet and e-mail

Assets:

• Knowledge of experience with municipal government policies and procedures, other levels of government and social services agencies would be an asset

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must take an Oath of Secrecy
• May be required to travel to various work locations and provide own transportation
• Must undergo a successful Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)

General Information:

As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Thunder Bay encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority groups, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS CODE: It is a contravention of the Human Rights Code of Ontario to discriminate on the basis of: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, age, record of offences, gender identity or gender expression. Therefore, a resume submitted to the City must not include references to any of the above characteristics. Do not include:

• Photos
• Any certificates that have photo identification
• Driver’s licences
• Police records checks

Note: The above documentation will be requested by the Human Resources Division should you be the successful applicant. If a Criminal Record Check is required, it will be requested by Human Resources should you be the successful applicant. Please do not submit your Criminal Record Check with your application.

ACCOMMODATION: Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.

PRIVACY: Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, c. 302, as amended, and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. Questions about this collection of personal information should be directed to the Human Resources Division, 125 Syndicate Ave Suite 42, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6H8, Telephone: 625-3866