Join the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives, while making a tangible impact on your community. WOCRC values the diversity of its employees and the knowledge, skills and contributions that each brings to the organization. Our work is meaningful, fulfilling, and can be demanding, so we are committed to offering our staff compensation that is fair and competitive for our industry along with a comprehensive suite of benefits to support staff health, wellness, and financial security.

Subject to status of position, we offer generous paid time off policies, including 4-weeks annual vacation, 3-weeks annual sick leave, salary top-up plans, a superb Employee Assistance Program, Health, Dental and Disability Insurance, a world-class Pension Plan (HOOPP), discounted gym memberships and a flexible, supportive work environment. We believe in providing what staff need to thrive, grow, and feel connected and included in our mission.

This is a unionized position.

POSITION SUMMARY:
WOCRC Capacity Developers are responsible for working with community groups around issues that affect their health and wellbeing. These issues include social determinants of health such as poverty, housing and social isolation from a health equity lens. The Capacity Developers work with the community to identify needs, capacities and to develop strategies and implement action.

A Capacity Developer for Seniors will be engaged to play a pivotal role in advancing the FICS Project objectives by fostering meaningful engagement and reducing barriers for vulnerable seniors, including those who are hard of hearing. Drawing on WOCRC’s strong foundation in community development and senior-focused programming, the Capacity Developer will lead targeted outreach initiatives, facilitate inclusive community consultations, and co-design culturally responsive programming in collaboration with seniors and partner organizations. This role will also involve recruiting, co-facilitating volunteer training, building partnerships with local organizations, and capturing community insights that inform program delivery and advocacy efforts. By leveraging relationships and community knowledge, the Capacity Developer will ensure that seniors' voices, especially those from underrepresented groups, are reflected in project activities, fostering social inclusion and system-level change.

WOCRC Capacity Developers work in collaboration with each other, the Executive Director, the Senior Managers and the rest of the Centre team to identify and address trends and community needs.

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre operates under the following guiding beliefs:

• Empowerment
• Equity
• Partnership
• Innovation

HOURS OF WORK AND ACTUAL SALARY:
This is a permanent part time position at 14 hours per week (2 days per week). Please note that the salary listed above reflects the full time annual rate for this role. The pro rated salary range for 14 hours per week is $23,941.60 to $24,337.20.

Employees in this position are eligible for benefits and pension participation following the standard waiting periods set by the employer and the insurance provider.

This role is part of the CUPE Local 5530 bargaining unit.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Senior Focus

• The Seniors Capacity Developer will identify and support issues related to seniors, with an emphasis on seniors who are hearing impaired, their families and their communities.
• Support seniors with issues including but not limited to bullying, homelessness, mental health, self-expression.

Advocacy

• Identifies advocacy issues, promotes the development of leadership and advocacy skills amongst members of the community and with the organization and Board of Directors
• Establishes and maintains links with and develops partnerships with other resources.
• Works with the coalition of Community Health and Resource Centre’s and other broad-based community networks to participate in advocacy and political action.
• Works with politicians in collaboration with the Executive Director to achieve strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
• Represents WOCRC on internal and external committees as required.
• Participates in broad based community planning and development.
• Participates in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services and issues affecting the community.
• Promotes participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate on identified topics/issues.

Community Engagement

• Leads the design and implementation of a robust community engagement strategy in Kanata, West Carleton, and Nepean, with a focus on seniors with hearing loss.
• Establishes and coordinates a Seniors Inclusion Working Group involving seniors, caregivers, health service providers, and community organizations.
• Plans and facilitates Community Conversations, Focus Groups, and Listening Sessions centering the lived experiences of seniors and identifying barriers to service access and participation.
• Designs and supports the development of community needs assessments to inform inclusive community health and respite care programming.
• Identifies and facilitates the development of new programs and services based on community input; collaborates with program teams to support implementation.
• Coordinates, monitors, and evaluates engagement initiatives under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team in alignment with WOCRC’s strategic priorities.
• Supports and participates in community groups, coalitions, and committees that promote the health and inclusion of diverse seniors’ communities.
• Acts as a liaison and resource to residents, associations, and agencies to build community capacity and strengthen access to broader community resources.
• Maintains strong awareness of local community health issues, key stakeholders, and events that impact health and wellbeing across the region.
• Ensures that data collected from engagement activities informs future outreach, volunteer recruitment, and training strategies.

Outreach and Strategic Partnerships

• Develops and implements a multi-year outreach strategy informed by 2025 community consultation findings.
• Coordinates health promotion strategies across the organization and in the community to support inclusive, accessible environments for older adults with hearing loss.
• Creates culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials targeting underrepresented seniors, including Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized, rural, and Francophone communities.
• Coordinates and promotes seasonal outreach campaigns (2026–2028), including events, social media initiatives, and local promotions in collaboration with health teams, audiology clinics, and social service agencies.
• Maintains ongoing engagement with primary care providers and community leaders to ensure outreach efforts remain relevant, inclusive, and far-reaching.
• Maintains an environmental scan aligned with the strategic plan to identify outreach and partnership opportunities; brings forward findings to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Identifies and develops strategies to support local community development initiatives, including proposal development for funding and partnership opportunities.
• Participates in local and regional committees, groups, and coalitions aligned with identified outreach and community inclusion goals.
• Prepares a Community Engagement Summary Report for CHHA by December 2025.

Training Responsibilities (July 2026 – December 2028):

• Launches a comprehensive training program to build capacity among WOCRC staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Leads internal training initiatives starting in July 2026 to embed hearing-accessibility best practices across all senior programs.
• Coordinates quarterly training workshops from 2027 onward for external partners, caregivers, and volunteers, in collaboration with CHHA and local audiologists.
• Develops online training modules and toolkits by 2028 to support sustainable knowledge transfer and promote inclusive service delivery for seniors with hearing loss.

Volunteer Mobilization Responsibilities (October 2026 – December 2029):

• Implements a targeted volunteer recruitment strategy emphasizing individuals with lived experience of hearing loss or interest in senior services.
• Oversees delivery of specialized volunteer training in accessible communication and hearing-friendly service delivery throughout 2027 and 2028.
• Expands volunteer roles by 2028–2029 to include telephone assurance and community outreach support.
• Pilots an Intergenerational Volunteer Program to engage younger volunteers in reducing social isolation among seniors.

Project Management and Evaluation

• Works with the project manager to lead a comprehensive project evaluation, collecting qualitative and quantitative data on participant outcomes, community impact, and improvements in service accessibility.
• Coordinates data collection methods including focus groups, surveys, and service utilization analysis to assess outcomes against FICS indicators.
• Oversees documentation and statistical reporting related to community development and evaluation activities on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Supports project management and ensures timely completion of all financial, program, and evaluation deliverables.
• Prepares and submits a Final Project Report by February 15, 2030, including all required reporting for CHHA and funders.
• Plans and hosts a knowledge-sharing event to celebrate project achievements and disseminate learnings with CHHA, community partners, and seniors.
• Facilitates exploration of opportunities for sustainability and continued impact beyond the project term.
• Participates in ongoing internal WOCRC evaluation processes and contributes to continuous improvement efforts.

OTHER:

• Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures.
• Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health.
• Incorporating and strengthening collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Respecting and valuing the diversity of communities and individuals.
• Contributing to the Centre’s activities to collect, analyse and report on data and relevant information, and participate in research.
• Maintaining relevant skill sets, and where applicable, a professional licence to practice.
• Supporting the Centre’s student and volunteer placement programs.
• Promoting awareness of and participation in Centre activities.
• Contributing to the Centre’s work by participating in meetings and committees.
• Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.
• Participating in the Centre’s efforts to enhance its capacity through staff development.
• Working in a manner that complies with all of the Centre’s Policies and Procedures, and promotes a safe, secure and healthy environment, and participates in all mandated training as required
• Perform other related duties as assigned

**QUALIFICATIONS:**Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in health or social sciences or an equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Three to five years experience in community development/health promotion working with the senior populations and demographics as assigned.
• Working knowledge of community development values, principles and the political process.
• Demonstrated ability to work with communities in a manner consistent with the Health Equity and Inclusion Lens
• Proven ability to build collaborative partnerships with community organizations, health providers, and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with accessibility principles (e.g., AODA), hearing loss inclusion, and culturally safe practice is strongly preferred.
• An understanding of issues experienced by rural and suburban populations including seniors, people with disabilities, and families.
• Experience in needs analysis, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven abilities in the area of community organizing, conflict resolution, and advocacy.
• Training and experience in-group facilitation and public speaking.
• Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa

Competencies:

• Strong critical analysis, problem solving, planning and decision- making skills
• Ability to develop and implement programs using an inter-disciplinary collaborative approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team environment
• Demonstrated ability to work within an Equity inclusion framework
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of a feminist and anti-oppression framework

Computer Competencies

• Strong computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Ability to utilize technology for meetings and trainings

Language:

• Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written.
• Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written, minimum one of the three positions
• Other languages reflective of the community we serve an asset.

Other:

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required, including $2 million in liability insurance

WOCRC has an accommodation process in place that provides accommodations for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can best accommodate you.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business and job requirements. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment based on individual qualifications, without regard to age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, record of offences (in employment only), sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), sexual orientation or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in Ontario.

Note: WOCRC may use AI-enabled tools to support the recruitment process including application tracking and/or resume screening, etc.

This role represents an existing vacancy.