As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.
We are looking for a Supervisor of Crisis Response Implementation to join our Crises Response Project team, which is tasked with supporting people in the community who are experiencing the impacts of the three crises of homelessness, mental health, and substance use. In this temporary (parental leave coverage) assignment, you will work closely with the Crises Response Project Advocacy Team to implement the Council-endorsed 2025 Crises Response Project Roadmap. This will include focusing on the implementation of priority actions to the Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan, and ensure coordination with the implementation of the priority actions of the Five-Year Prevention, Support and Transition Services Plan.
Working with the Manager, Homelessness Services, a core focus of this role will be to oversee the work, including the day-to-day operations of the assigned project-based teams. Key priority actions assigned to this role include: supporting City advocacy to BC Housing to prioritize funding to construct trauma-informed and culturally-safe Indigenous housing; working with an Indigenous consultant to ensure projects are in line with an Indigenous lens and support culturally safe design; identifying and developing design, program and support requirements, and preferred location(s) directly informed by that engagement.
You will be responsible for:
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Defining the scope and work plan for the action items identified in the Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan.
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Overseeing the formulation, implementation of Crisis Response Implementation Team work plan priorities, including research and drafting recommendations related to novel solutions to complex interrelated issues.
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Overseeing the overall processes, outputs, and ensure expected timelines and standards are met.
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Liaising with internal and external contacts on matters related to the Ten-Year Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan.
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Oversee the identification, application and management of relevant grants.
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Oversee research and relationship building related to informing the construction of trauma-informed and culturally-safe Indigenous housing.
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Attending Council meetings, as required, to present and respond to inquiries regarding housing policy and affordable housing development projects.
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Ensuring all projects and processes are consistent with Council’s strategic priorities and the City’s overall objectives, including those related to housing, community planning, economic development, climate action, equity, and reconciliation.
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Other related responsibilities as identified from time to time.
If you have the following characteristics and qualifications, we want to hear from you!
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A Master’s Degree in urban planning or a related discipline, with considerable work experience in policy planning or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a supervisory role in the planning field would be an asset.
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Proven ability to apply excellent people management and supervisory skills to schedule, plan, assign, review, coach, and supervise the performance of staff.
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Ability to manage complex policy projects, including work planning, budgeting and assigning work to the project staff team and consultants.
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Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods, procedures and legislation applicable to municipal planning.
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Advanced understanding best practices and tools applicable to the creation of housing and homelessness policy for complex urban areas, including growth management, climate action and equity.
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Interdisciplinary knowledge of several fields related to planning, such as urban design, social science, law, economics, development practices, and municipal finance, and of current trends and developments in these areas.
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Considerable experience in the timely development and implementation of effective housing and homelessness policy and other related policy (e.g. land use, financing growth policy).
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Ability to express ideas effectively verbally, visually, and in writing to various audiences, as well as listening skills.
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Advanced ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, professionals and the public, and clearly convey a variety of detailed information, including in sensitive situations.
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Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
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Experience participating in various meetings related to the work such as Council meetings, committee meetings and public consultation events, including experience representing the municipality and department on planning matters.
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Strong organizational skills, proven ability to problem solve, and the ability to prioritize or manage multiple tasks and deliver results in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
We offer our employees great work-life balance, including competitive salaries, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement plans (a percentage in lieu of benefits for auxiliary positions). We also offer a hybrid remote work schedule in accordance with our Remote Work Policy, opportunities for education and training, and engaging, rewarding work.
Please apply with your cover letter and resume in one document. Join a team of enthusiastic and innovative employees, and help us build a vibrant, compassionate, resilient city where everyone can thrive.
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.
We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.
