Norfolk County

General

• Provide customer service and respond to inquiries from people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in various settings
• Assess housing needs using VI-SPDAT or SPDAT
• Divert people from homeless services by referring them to internal and external supports
• Facilitate admission to the emergency housing program when appropriate
• Connect individuals and families with natural, internal, and community supports to prevent homelessness
• Connect individuals and families to the emergency housing program’s external service delivery partner when diversion is not possible
• Maintain client records and service delivery data in departmental software such as HIFIS
• Perform related administrative tasks for the Homelessness Prevention Services program

Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker

Communications

• Receives work assignments to create and deliver a range of communications, such as flyers, brochures, posters, reports, and digital content (website, social media, emails, newsletters).
• Ensures all work follows timelines and priorities set by the Supervisor.
• Ensures all content aligns with and supports Norfolk County’s goals and priorities.
• Supports implementation of the team’s business plan.
• Prepares and distributes service disruptions, news, notices, and updates using established processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Creates and formats clear, accessible content (digital, written and print) using established standards (AODA, plain language), exercising judgment to ensure accuracy and appropriateness for different audiences.
• Reviews, edits, and enhances customer service content, communication, and responses to ensure it is clear, consistent, accurate and aligned with corporate standards.
• Supports public engagement activities by creating content and materials for campaigns, surveys, and community initiatives.
• Reviews and edits content to ensure it is clear, consistent, accurate and aligned with corporate standards.
• Assists with developing and implementing communication and marketing plans for County programs and services.
• Collects and tracks performance metrics (e.g., web and social media analytics) for reporting.
• Maintains and organizes communication records and files in accordance with departmental processes and County records and information management policies.
• Schedules and posts content across corporate channels, ensuring consistency with corporate messaging and priorities.
• Monitors social media comments and direct messages. Uses established process to respond to comments or to notify manager.
• Follows approval process to ensure communications are accurate and timely.
• Uses corporate standards and templates when creating and publishing website content.
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality policies of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Communications Officer

• Coordinate and deliver the corporate calling program Business Retention and Expansion and Attraction BR&E&A. identifying local business opportunities and challenges, and provide information and resources to connect businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises to support programs and services.
• Compile data resulting from visits; log relevant data in an appropriate CRM program; report monthly on activity; report annually on trends and progress; recommend programs and services to assist in business support; communicate urgent issues.
• Create and implement effective and relevant business attraction initiatives that align with the approved strategy including generating and pursuing business leads, conducting company prospect research, contact and engage with business owners, executives and developers to promote Norfolk County as an investment destination globally.
• Assist in site analysis by researching properties and businesses, facilitate prospect tours; participate in trade missions outside of Norfolk County; work with developers, realtors and land owners in a highly confidential manner; prepare information packages, proposals and responses to enquiries promptly.
• Coordinate and lead projects and strategies by working with municipal staff, community leaders, businesses and other stakeholders, determining needs, analyzing trends, scheduling and coordinating meetings, preparing and submitting reports, and developing solutions and recommendations.
• Represent the County to business associations, community agencies, and economic development organizations to promote partnerships and provide support to outside organizations; to encourage joint marketing initiatives; by attending various business meetings and events; and by keeping current on what is happening in the community.
• Foster relationships and consult with other governments, non-government agencies, academic institutions, financial institutions and community organizations on matters pertaining to community economic development, investment attraction, programs, research, policy, incentives and other activities.
• Support the development of assets required for the growth of local industries and entrepreneurs through relationships with non-governmental organizations and non-residential real estate investors.
• Lead and implement the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) business incentives program, receiving and reviewing applications, meeting with applicants, following policy, working with the Finance and other impacted departments on preparing loan and grant / funding agreements, processing approvals, promoting, monitoring and reporting on the program, following up on projects as set out in policy or as required annually.
• Coordinate, Lead and Implement any other such approved programs such as economic recovery efforts, Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT), or any other future approved program set out by legislation, Council or divisional/departmental work plan.
• Participate as an active, enthusiastic and supportive team member on the execution of the Department’s annual work plan.
• Advise and assist the Director, Strategic Innovation and Economic Development on the development of the Department’s annual work plan.
• Provide direction/ mentoring of staff/contract, students in the Department in response to handling of information requests, development issues and processes, programs and fees, demographics, and interpretation of appropriate policies and procedures. Assist other members of the Department team to undertake programs, services and activities, occasionally requiring work on weeknights and weekends, such as participation in external committees, trade shows, community events, networking functions, as required. Utilize all available and appropriate communication tools to raise awareness of the Department’s programs and services, including emails, social media, blogging, media relations, etc.
• Assist with the development of policy and or policy alternatives to ensure support of the approved KPI’s goals/objectives of long term planning for steady future sustainable economic growth by recommending modifications to economic development programs, policies and procedures, as appropriate. Including to measure KPI’s and suggest changes in service focus to meet KPIs.
• Liaise with Economic Development Advisory Committee, BIA/Chambers/Board of Trade and other stakeholder groups in collaboration with the Director and as necessary.
• Prepare reports and presentations to Committees, Council and stakeholder groups as necessary.
• Responsible for and to operate within the approved budget, approved workplans and strategies.
• All other duties as assigned.

Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker

Communications Officer

Senior Economic Development Officer