Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

Experience it – Ajax!

The Town of Ajax, situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, is an innovative municipal sector leader that provides a variety of services to one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario.  With over 130,000 residents, Ajax's rich heritage and culturally diverse community make it a great place to work and live.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer will support the demands of the DEI portfolio as part of the Strategic Initiatives team. The position will work alongside the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator to provide tactical delivery of the strategies and initiatives related to the DEI portfolio, including communications, stakeholder and community engagement, event coordination, and internal policy work.

Key Duties

• Engage and collaborate with local service providers, community groups and stakeholders to support awareness of Town-led initiatives and engagement opportunities related to DEI.
• Facilitate partnerships to further corporate objectives outlined in key strategies and plans related to DEI (e.g. Strategic Plan, etc.).
• Coordinate Council and other staff participation in community events and on days of significance.
• Build strong relationships with community leadership from a variety of ethno-cultural and religious groups.
• Draft and provide a DEI lens as needed for speaking notes, broadcast messages, corporate social media posts, public statements, news releases and other tools as utilized by the Department.
• Ideate creative ways to highlight the contributions of the Town’s diverse community through public-facing communications.
• Support the review and development of policies, by-laws and programs to advance the Town’s DEI goals.
• Act as a resource regarding DEI programs and services; and deliver training and education workshops to foster an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Participate as a member of the Town’s internal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and support the work of the Ajax Anti-Racism Task Force as needed.
• Lead the tactical delivery of programs, initiatives, forums and events related to DEI (eg. Diversity Xchange) that the Town initiates.
• Collect and analyze data and generate reports related to DEI initiatives.

Qualifications/Skills

• University Degree or College Diploma in diversity, inclusion or equity studies, communications, social sciences, public policy or other related discipline.
• Over 1 year and up to and including 3 years of practical experience in diversity, equity and inclusion, communications, social sciences, public relations or other related disciplines.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities, groups and organizations (i.e. ethno-cultural, racialized, faith-based, LGBTQ+, vulnerable, etc.).
• Experience with event planning and management, including adherence to budget and express attention to protocols and details.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Respectful of diverse opinions and perspectives, ability to build consensus and collaborate on a team, particularly in a public sector environment.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Suite/Office 365, as well as social media and other communications tools.
• Well-developed organization, decision-making and time management skills.
• Able to provide a current Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check (completed in the last six months) that is satisfactory to the Town.

What is Offered to Staff

• Rate of Pay: $76,581 - $95,725 per year.
• Hours of Work: This is a non-union position that works 35 hours per week.   The hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Benefits:
• The Town offers full-time staff a comprehensive benefit package with paid sick, vacation and personal leave days; Employee & Family Assistance Program; Health & Wellness Program, Town of Ajax Fitness Centre Combo Membership; plus a defined benefits pension (OMERS pension).
• Hybrid Work Program: The Town offers a Hybrid Work Program. A flexible work arrangement, including the option to work from home some or a majority of the time, is currently a possibility with this position, and can be discussed during the interview process.

How to Apply

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please go to the Town of Ajax website at www.ajax.ca/careers.  The closing date for this position is 11:59 p.m. on April 10, 2024.

We would like to thank all applicants however, please note that only those selected to attend an interview will be contacted and all other applicants will be kept on file. Applicants are advised that written, oral and practical testing may form part of the selection process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Town of Ajax is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and accessibility within the workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and supported. The Town embraces diversity and gender expression through policy, staff training and providing positive spaces. The Town encourages applications from all qualified candidates. If selected for an interview, please inform Human Resources staff of any accommodation you may require during the process.