Policy Development Officer Sdfa

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Policy, Planning & ResearchDivision & Section:
Social Development, Finance & Admin, SDF&A Social Policy Analysis & ResearchWork Location:
City Hall, 100 Queen Street W, Toronto, ONJob Type & Duration:
Full-time, Permanent vacancySalary Range:
$115,672.00 - $160,649.00Shift Information:
Monday to Friday, 35 hours per weekAffiliation:
Non-UnionNumber of Positions Open:
1Posting Period:
03-Nov-2026 to 13-Nov-2026Job Summary:The City of Toronto's Social Development, Finance & Administration Division drives transformative changes to achieve stronger, safer and more resilient communities and neighbourhoods in Toronto. The Division leads the City's equity and inclusion, poverty reduction, community benefits, and community safety strategies.Reporting to the Manager, Community Benefits Unit, the Policy Development Officer will be the Division's primary point of engagement with Toronto's construction trade unions and their employer affiliates. This role leads the strategy, relationship-building and policy work needed to embed union hiring pathways, apprenticeship pipelines, and Community Benefits Framework commitments across all City construction projects.Major Responsibilities:Serves as the lead relationship-holder between the City and construction trade unions, building councils, and their employer affiliates — convening regular dialogue, resolving issues, and aligning City construction hiring practices with union processes and priorities.Designs and delivers a capacity-building strategy to socialize Community Benefits Framework theory, tools and best practices within construction union organizations, apprenticeship bodies, and employer affiliate structures.Leads strategic policy analysis and program development to strengthen union-affiliated hiring, apprenticeship and workforce development pathways on City-funded construction projects.Critically analyzes the City's legal authority and policy levers for advancing community benefit hiring in partnership with unionized construction sectors, trade councils, and related industries.Collaborates closely with the Workforce Consultant – Construction Relations and the City's Labour Relations team to strategize with skilled trades unions and councils, developer/construction industry partners, and community organizations on equity-focused hiring pathways.Monitors municipal, provincial and federal legislation and regulation affecting unionized construction labour, apprenticeship standards, and trade certification, and assesses implications for City policy.Engages City divisions, agencies and corporations to harmonize union hiring and workforce development targets across all upcoming construction-related capital projects.Leads the planning, writing and production of Council reports and public materials on construction union partnerships and community benefits outcomes.Develops new Council directions and recommendations related to construction union engagement and hiring pathway policy.Facilitates consultation with union locals, apprenticeship coordinators, trade councils and affected worker communities to ensure policy approaches reflect their needs and expertise.Provides strategic advice to City staff, management, and construction union partners to advance shared community benefits and workforce goals.Represents the City, Deputy City Manager, and Division at union, trade council, and industry forums, workshops and committees relevant to construction hiring and social development.Fosters transparent, cooperative relationships with union leadership, elected officials, City staff, and other orders of government.Contributes to a highly collaborative and collegial work environment that fosters effective teamwork, high-quality work, and innovation.Supervises staff, consultants and project teams delivering research and recommendations tied to union hiring pathway initiatives, including scheduling, work assignment, progress monitoring, and corrective action as needed. Manages related budgets, RFPs and service contracts.Coordinates inter-governmental and inter-divisional working groups related to construction unions (e.G., the Community Benefits Advisory Body, City Leads Table).Supports corporate initiatives (e.G., Listening to Toronto, relevant Community Development Plans).Manages, motivates and trains unit staff to ensure high-quality, collaborative delivery on union-focused workforce initiatives, with a focus on continuous learning and innovation.Key Qualifications:Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy & Administration, Labour Relations or a suitable equivalent combination of education and experience.Considerable experience working directly with construction trade unions, building trades councils, or apprenticeship bodies on hiring, workforce development, or labour policy initiatives.Considerable experience in social/labour policy analysis, program development and implementation, and report writing.Considerable experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving unions, employers, and government partners, from inception through implementation, while balancing competing interests and resolving conflict.Ability to cultivate and sustain trust-based relationships with union leadership, trade councils, employer affiliates, and construction industry stakeholders.Strong working knowledge of the construction union landscape in Ontario/Toronto, including apprenticeship systems, certification pathways, and current sector issues.Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal legislation affecting unionized construction labour and workforce development.An understanding of colonization, anti-Black racism, and other forms of oppression and injustice, and their intersection with access to unionized trades employment.Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills, including with union and trade audiences.Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person, or as a member of a Black or other equity-deserving community, would be an asset.Note To Current City of Toronto EmployeesCity of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity .
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