Job Position: Community Health Ambassador
Department: Health Services
Status: Full-Time – 35 hours per week (One-year contract with the possibility of an extension)
Location: Mississauga & Brampton
Compensation: $26.00 per hour plus benefits

Indus Community Services is an accredited, not-for-profit community benefit organization that has served local communities for over three decades. We are a registered charity, supported by our donors and by all three levels of government. Through our professional staff, we are a leader in the provision of culturally responsive services to newcomers, families, women & seniors.

Vision: To be leaders in building strong and inclusive communities.
Mission: We are a community benefit organization focused on building resilient and healthy communities by offering person-centered, anti-oppressive programs and services.

Position Summary: Under the general guidance of the Manager – Health Promotion Programs and the Community Health Initiatives Lead the incumbent will provide culturally specific community outreach, education, information and promote awareness and safety regarding the variety of health promotion initiatives within the Peel community.

Responsibilities and Duties: (but not limited to)

* Share health promotion related information to community members and local businesses.

* Organize health promotion information sessions, and distribute resources through tabling sessions/events, presentations at local community venues, religious venues and businesses.

* Dispel culturally specific myths/misinformation through culturally and language specific education and information sessions.

* Identify and build relationships with potential community partners.

* Engage and liaise with local businesses, community groups, religious organizations, and internal and external partner agencies.

* Respond to community members’ queries and concerns (telephone, voicemail, email, and in-person) regarding a variety of health promotion topics and provide strategies and resources to support community wellness and education.

* Conduct intake and facilitate referrals to internal and external partners, other professionals, services, or community resources appropriate to community members’ identified needs using a case-based management approach. Collect and report daily outreach data from outreach events and activities.

* Work with the Health Promotion team to implement outreach strategies.

* Participate in staff and team meetings, and professional development opportunities as required.

* Adopt safe work practices, reporting unsafe conditions immediately.

* Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills:

* Post-Secondary education in health promotion, health studies and/or health sciences and prior experience in health promotion and community engagement

* Critical understanding of theoretical approaches and determinants of health strategies required for health promotion activities and interventions.

* Strong understanding of institutional and other systemic barriers and how they impact individuals/communities and access to services.

* Excellent communication and presentation skills to clearly convey information in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain messaging.

* Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in English and a second language (Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese preferred).

* Strong knowledge and understanding of community resources of the Region of Peel.

* Ability to mobilize people at the grassroots; strong networking skills.

* Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and from any Indus work-site and within the community.

* Demonstrate a strong interest in making an impact in the community through service, leadership, and education.

* Ability to motivate a sometimes unreceptive, uninformed or misinformed diverse population, including community members, business owners and other local agencies to modify behavior to reduce and mitigate the spread of diseases/illnesses within the community.

* A high degree of conflict management to dealing effectively with others in hostile situations; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict.

* Sensitivity to people from different socio-economic backgrounds with an equity lens.

* Self-directed, self-motivated, with a positive attitude and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

* Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adjust to shifting priorities.

* Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle is required.

* Successful candidates must provide a satisfactory Criminal Background Check prior to commencing employment.

* Indus’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires all employees be fully vaccinated by a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine has been temporarily suspended. Currently new employees will not have to show evidence of vaccination. Indus reserves the right to reactivate this policy at its own discretion based on Public Health recommendations. Individuals with valid medical or other human rights-based exemptions will continue to be considered for appropriate accommodation within the policy and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

This job posting is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Indus Community Services is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the diverse populations we serve. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities as part of our hiring process. If you have special requirements, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment process. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Posting Date: May 2nd, 2024