Life at Kensington Health
At Kensington Health, we are proud to have built a community where people can bring their full selves to work. As a not-for-profit, we believe in the work we do every day. It's what motivates us, inspires, and propels our bold vision forward: a better life for everyone.
Diversity is at the heart of who we are and at Kensington, we celebrate our differences, knowing that creating safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces in healthcare strengthens our bold vision: building a better life for everyone. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts are guided by our DEI Strategy as we continuously strive to offer equal opportunities for all.
Our people are what make Kensington Health such a special place to work, learn, and grow and delivering exceptional health care to our community – and beyond – is what keeps people here for years. Interested in reimagining community-delivered care with us? Check out our open roles!
Job Overview
The Community Connector will champion an integrated model of health and social care through the Seniors Active Living Centre at the Second Mile Club of Kensington Health. This role is primarily responsible for supporting older adults living in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) by building and sustaining relationships grounded in trust, empathy, and mutual support. The Community Connector works to foster a thriving, resident led community, to enable building residents to live safely, with dignity and independence.
Working alongside resident leaders, the role includes planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating inbuilding programming; responding to the needs of older adults; liaising with service partners; and facilitating inclusive, community building activities. Responsibilities also include coordinating site governance, developing policies and procedures, and collaborating with resident volunteers. The Community Connector performs cross functional duties as assigned or requested and carries out other responsibilities consistent with the job classification, as required.
Temporary full time: 1 year contract.
Compensation: $60,040.50 - $72,052.50 commensurate with experience.
Responsibilities
Community Building & Resident Engagement
In collaboration with the Manager, Community Care, plans, organizes, and coordinates activities within NORCs to create and grow an aging in place community, including resident-led activities and participatory decision-making with residents.
Works to strengthen bonds between residents and encourages a culture of mutual support at each NORC site through the facilitation of dialogue and events.
Supports residents’ social participation.
Supports participatory decision-making and co-design processes.
Facilitates and organizes social, recreational, and health-related activities.
Works to build neighbour connections and supports ongoing learning.
Training resident volunteer groups on community capacity-building and ongoing sustainability.
Health, Wellness & Integrated Care Support
Collaborates with appropriate partners, including the Mid-West Toronto Ontario Health Team, to coordinate programing and support an integrated health and social care model.
Supports the discovery of resident’s health, social, and wellness needs.
Recognizes the need for a higher level of support for aging well, and connects residents to integrated care services or other pre-defined services in the site’s catchment area.
Ensures that learning and navigation resources are available to assist residents with their health information needs.
When requested by the resident, assists in navigating the health care system: referring or connecting to appropriate health and community services.
Resident Assistance & Safety Monitoring
Operations, Administration & Site Development
Supports the selection of new sites, including interviewing, information sharing, and development.
Assist the Manager, Community Care in developing and administering policies, procedures, and programs to ensure smooth day-to-day operations at the NORC site(s).
Recommends, orders, catalogues, and processes NORC site assets.
In collaboration with the Manager, Community Care, works closely with the NORC Site residents to continuously receive feedback about the various programs and services.
Ongoing documentation and reporting on resident interactions and programming outcomes, maintaining confidentiality per agencies policies.
Constituent & Building Management Relations
Acts as the principal contact for the building’s management team for all matters relating to NORC residents and escalates any issues or concerns to the Manager, Community Care.
Engages with key constituents and facilitates collaborative support networks at NORC sites.
Health & Safety Compliance
Qualifications
Required Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated leadership skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and the ability to understand social dynamics and navigate emerging tensions, effectively persuade/influence the behavior of others.
Comfortable with emergent ideas, rapid change, and working with changing priorities and timelines.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Excellent time management and stress management skills are required.
Demonstrated cultural sensitivity awareness and skills.
Required Knowledge and Experience:
Minimum 2 years of experience in community-based program development and/or customer service with a focus on developing community connections in and among participants.
Experience working with older adults in a community-based settings preferred.
Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Fluency in other languages is an asset.
Computer literacy and basic proficiency is required with a demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt to new technology including MS Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and Google suite, and video conference tools such as Microsoft Teams.
Required Professional Designation/Certificate:
Completion of a relevant post-secondary diploma is required; an undergraduate degree is considered an asset. Equivalent knowledge and experience working with older adults in the community will also be considered.
A valid driver’s license, adequate insurance (personal automobile policy with a minimum $1 million liability limit), and use of a reliable vehicle that qualifies physical damage coverage are preferred.
First Aid and CPR-C or ability to obtain such within 60 days from the start date.
