City of Coquitlam

Community Social Development Manager

Planning and Development Department

Regular Full Time (Exempt)

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community.  As the sixth largest city in BC, we are home to more than 150,000 residents. Our diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems. Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre.  We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you!

At the City of Coquitlam, we are looking for great people who want to make a real difference in our community. Join us as our Community and Social Development Manager to be part of a forward thinking, innovative team looking to build a great city. We know you're continually innovating and progressing just like we are, so please note that we are open to candidates from varying professional backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our growing and dynamic organization. We encourage you to make this the first of many opportunities you will have at the City of Coquitlam.   

Reporting to the Manager Community Planning, the Community Social Development Manager will be responsible for providing advice on and preparing plans and policies to assist in achieving the community social development objectives established by Council. The Community Social Development section, within the Community Planning Division, has a key role in preparing and implementing social planning strategies and policies for housing affordability, child care, homelessness, and multiculturalism, facilitating non-market housing partnerships, liaising with various committees and task forces, and responding to emerging social issues.

In this position, you will play an integral role as a liaison on behalf of the City, working with a wide range of stakeholders, community groups and organizations in helping to plan for and respond to shifts in a rapidly growing community.  This includes sustaining and growing strong relationships with other municipal departments and external organizations, agencies and the public. 

Our ideal candidate would preferably possess a degree from a recognized planning program in Community or Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Social Work, Community Development or a closely related field. We are however very open to candidates from diverse and varying professional backgrounds if strong leadership, communication and innovation are key personal drivers. The City is proud of its commitment to supporting our employees through professional development and learning as a partnership between our organization, managers, and staff. We are keen to work with and support the best fit candidate to lead this important work moving forward and in their career development. 

 Other Requirements include: 

• A willingness to join and excel with a dynamic team and growing municipality that is full of opportunity. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills to provide strategic advice, counsel and guidance on critical issues that have social and community impacts.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to negotiate, influence, and liaise effectively with contractors, consultants, community groups, members of the public and external agencies.

• Advanced research, analytical and problem solving skills, with an ability to interpret and act on emerging issues. 

• Ability to undertake research and prepare reports or recommendations to senior management, boards of directors and/or City Council. 

• An understanding of and a desire to promote the strategic direction of the City. 

We would love for you to be part of the unprecedented opportunities we have on the horizon here in Coquitlam. The City offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. Applicants under consideration will be required to undergo a police security clearance evaluation. 

Good people make Coquitlam great, sign up for career alerts through our recruitment portal to stay up to date about opportunities within our team, or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about how #YouCouldWorkHere too!

The City offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. Applicants under consideration will be required to undergo a police security clearance evaluation. 

Please apply online at www.coquitlam.ca/careers by 11:55 pm on July 5, 2021. 

The City of Coquitlam is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.