Job Title: Intake/Receptionist (Contract up to December 31, 2026)
Department: Housing
Reports To: Housing Manager and Team Lead, Admin
Hours of Work: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
The Intake/Receptionist is the first point of contact for clients, landlords, community partners, visitors, and members of the public seeking assistance from CDCD Housing department. The successful candidate will provide professional, welcoming, and client-centered reception and intake services. The position is responsible for responding to inquiries, assessing and directing client needs, providing information and referrals, assisting with applications and documentation, and connecting clients to appropriate Housing programs and community services.
The position also provides administrative and program support to the Housing Department, including maintaining accurate client and program information in the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), supporting landlords and housing programs, assisting with department events and activities, and preparing reports and documentation. The successful candidate will work closely with Housing Team Leads, Case Managers, Opening Doors Durham staff, landlords, community partners, and other service providers to ensure clients receive timely and appropriate support.
The successful candidate must demonstrate strong communication, organization, customer service, and administrative skills; sound judgment; professionalism; confidentiality; and the ability to work effectively in a busy, client-focused environment.
Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is an independent, not-for-profit social planning organization that has been working to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities in Durham for over 55 years. CDCD organizes a variety of research, community development, and social planning initiatives and administers and delivers front-line social service programs.
Please visit www.cdcd.org for more information.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reception and Client Service
- Welcome clients and visitors and provide a professional, respectful, and positive experience.
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Serve as the first point of contact for CDCD clients, community partners, visitors and members of the public.
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Respond to inquiries received by telephone, email, video conferencing, and in person.
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Receive, direct, and relay telephone calls, emails, messages, and other communications to the appropriate staff or program.
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Provide general information about CDCD Housing programs, services, and community resources.
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Assess client needs and direct or refer clients to the appropriate Housing staff, program, or community service.
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Maintain a professional and welcoming reception area.
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Assist clients who require support to access services, complete forms, or understand available resources.
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Use client-centered, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, gender-based analysis plus (GBA+), and strength-based approaches when working with clients and community partners.
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Prepare meeting minutes and other documentation as assigned.
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Support approved Housing Department marketing and promotional activities.
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Assist with creating flyers and promotional materials for Housing services, programs, and events.
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Work with the Marketing and Social Media teams to promote approved Housing materials.
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Review Housing information on the CDCD website and identify information that is outdated or requires correction.
Housing Intake and Referrals
- Provide timely and responsive Housing intake services.
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Receive, document, and direct new requests for Housing services.
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Assess the nature and urgency of client requests and arrange appointments with Case Managers when appropriate.
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Assist clients with completing applications, forms, and required documentation.
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Assist clients with referrals to internal and external services, including housing, legal services, education, social services, and other community supports.
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Liaise with community service providers when required to support client referrals.
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Provide information and referrals that assist clients in obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
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Support the Housing Intake process and ensure referrals are handled in a timely and organized manner.
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Manage and distribute referrals to the appropriate Housing staff or program.
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Enter, update, and maintain accurate client information in HIFIS.
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Maintain accurate client files, spreadsheets, databases, and other program records.
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Record information accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner.
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Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of all client and program information.
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Prepare statistical information and reports on a monthly basis
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Provide administrative support for adding and maintaining landlords in the Durham Landlord Database.
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Assist the Team Lead with the coordination of tax clinic activities, including contacting volunteers, scheduling client appointments, and preparing rooms, supplies, equipment, and materials.
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Provide administrative and operational support to ensure tax clinic sessions run smoothly.
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Assist the LEAP Coordinator with administrative duties, including receiving and organizing client documentation, data entry, maintaining records, preparing correspondence, and other administrative tasks as required.
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Provide administrative and logistical support for Housing Department events, meetings, programs, and activities.
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Maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of clients, landlords, community partners, vendors, volunteers, and staff.
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Follow all CDCD policies, procedures, and directives.
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Comply with all applicable legislation, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
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Use sound judgment when handling sensitive client, landlord, and organizational information.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Housing Manager or Housing Team Leads.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
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Prolonged sitting and computer use are required.
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Ability to work effectively in a busy reception and client-service environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
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Strong computer, communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
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Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work effectively.
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Flexibility to attend occasional evening and/or weekend meetings, programs, or events as required.
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A valid Ontario Class G driver's license, access to a reliable vehicle, and appropriate vehicle insurance are required with ability to work in a variety of settings
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An acceptable Vulnerable Sector Screening must be provided prior to commencing employment.
The job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned
This job posting relates to an open vacancy. The recruitment process does not involve artificial intelligence or automated decision-making. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are conducted by human reviewers.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants are requested to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their strengths, experience and aptitude to fulfill the position requirements.
CDCD thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those asked for additional information and/or selected for an interview will be contacted.
CDCD is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that represents the cultural mosaic of the Durham Region and the communities we serve. We recognize the value that comes from the different viewpoints, unique experiences and diverse perspectives of our employees, who bring fresh, new ideas to our business. Diversity plays a key role in our ability to deliver our mission.
CDCD is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.
As an employer, CDCD has a duty to accommodate potential candidates throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
