Community Engagement and Content Specialist

Be the Spark! Join our passionate Community Outreach team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The Community Engagement and Content Specialist acts as dynamic member of the NSC team, who provides support to the Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator in: building relationships with community organizations and service providers; implementing in-person and digital promotion strategies to increase community engagement and client reach; developing and managing content for the program’s Knowledge Management System (KMS), webinars/information sessions and social media platforms; and lastly, assisting in the planning, production, promotion and coordination of online and in-person events. The Community Engagement and Content Specialist must ensure that they are proactive in supporting the NSC team and plays a key supporting role to the Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator.

In this role, you will:

• Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating an annual outreach and community engagement plan, as well as a communications and marketing plan, both in accordance with the policies and standards of the YMCA of Greater Toronto and the funder.
• Engage and build relationships with community organizations, including YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services programs, with consideration for the needs of the target audience.
• Work closely with the Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator in producing and managing content such as webinars, videos, blogs, articles, and an event calendar for the NSC online platform across all social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter) to engage the target audience.
• Coordinate with IRS staff to ensure the ongoing creation and maintenance of the NSC Knowledge Management System, including the research, collection, and organization of settlement-related information that is sufficient, relevant, accurate, and up-to-date.
• Participate and provide support in managing online and in-person community forums, meetings, and activities to increase client reach and stakeholder engagement.
• Plan, produce, promote, and coordinate online and in-person events, efficiently managing project delivery elements within set timelines.
• Update and maintain a contact database of all key internal and external partners, including settlement service providers.
• Create, edit, and proofread written articles before posting to online and social media platforms, ensuring all content material is consistent with Y branding.
• Develop social media presence and identify creative uses of social media platforms such as campaigns and similar strategies.
• Utilize social media management tools and develop new tools to track and manage different social media channels.
• Utilize digital content development tools to produce and edit videos, create graphics, develop e-learning courses, and other similar content for the NSC platform.
• Connect with community partners for content creation, such as guest speakers/writers for webinars, videos, and blog posts.
• Develop and maintain newsletters, online community forums, and/or other communication tools for ongoing engagement with partners and clients.
• Remain alert to immigration, newcomer, and settlement trends and use this data to inform content development and improvement.
• Identify, coordinate, and follow up on logistics for online and in-person events such as vendors, lodgings, equipment, and other necessary details.
• Provide regular status reports to the Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator, alerting the team to any necessary changes in timeline and proactively proposing solutions for any barriers to completing projects on time and on budget.
• Ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information and compliance with YMCA and funder privacy policies.
• Work with the team to build awareness of the program among the target population; liaise with settlement partners to develop referral mechanisms.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/work-at-the-y#culture)
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

You bring:

• University Degree or Community College Diploma in related field or equivalent training/work experience.
• Minimum one-year experience working with newcomers, providing settlement information and referral
• Proven experience in community relations strategies including outreach and engagement
• Marketing background, experience in organizing events, programming and troubleshooting experience are an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of settlement and immigration barriers, trends, resources and services.
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with participants, community partners, staff and volunteers
• Excellent written communication skills
• Commitment to respecting diversity and demonstrating inclusive behaviour, responding with sensitivity and self-awareness to the unique needs of colleagues and members, including visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity
• Ability to communicate with diplomacy and tact in various type of environments
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about leveraging technology to connect with and engage people.
• Strong presentation and written communication skills
• Advanced social media skills (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
• Familiarity with photo and video editing software.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit compelling, clear, and concise content
• Experience working with content management systems is an asset.
• Some understanding of best practices for online usability, accessibility and safety.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks
• Ability to communicate in French is an asset.
• Flexibility regarding work location and hours, including evenings and Saturdays.
• Excellent understanding of diversity, inclusion, and equity, including the ability to identify and address barriers in Employment and Community Programs, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and integrate equity into program design

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y).

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together (https://www.ymcagta.org/strategic-plan), which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here (https://ymcagta.org/Join-Our-Team/police-records-check).

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y#interview) and see what others are saying (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/work-at-the-y#diversity) about working at the YMCA.