Community Outreach/ Relations Officer, FT Contract

Employment Type: Full-time (Short-term contract)
Department: Shelter & Respite Services
Union: Excluded
Salary: Up to $58,000 CAD annually
File #: 26-SRS-01 (1 OPEN)
Posting Date: January 27, 2026
Posting Close: February 09, 2026
Reason for vacancy: Replacement

Position Summary
The Community Outreach Officer plays a pivotal role in strengthening Dixon Hall’s reputation and relationships within the communities we serve. Focused on proactive, transparent, and community-centred communications, this position will support Dixon Hall’s Housing, Shelter, and Property Management teams by ensuring consistent messaging, timely information sharing, and positive engagement with residents, tenants, and neighbours.

The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator who thrives at the intersection of community engagement, issues management, and storytelling, someone who can translate operational updates into clear, compassionate messages that build trust and understanding across diverse audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Community, Tenant and Resident Communications

• Develop and implement communication plans for Dixon Hall’s winter respite and surge capacity centres, shelters, and housing sites.
• Coordinate and distribute resident and tenant communications including notices, updates, and newsletters.
• Draft clear, empathetic, and accessible messages to inform community members of operational updates, construction activities, or service changes.
• Support the creation of signage, FAQs, and information packages for housing and shelter programs.
• Work with site managers to identify emerging issues and provide communication solutions that promote transparency and community trust.

Reputation and Community Relations

• Act as a key point of contact for community engagement around shelter and housing sites.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local residents, community organizations, and stakeholder groups.
• Monitor public sentiment and media activity related to Dixon Hall’s shelter and housing operations and provide regular updates to the Director, Marketing & Communications.
• Support rapid response communications and contribute to issues management strategies in collaboration with the MarComm and Housing teams.

Content Development and Storytelling

• Highlight positive stories of client progress, community partnerships, and impact within our housing and shelter network.
• Create content for internal and external platforms, including newsletters, the Dixon Hall website, and social media.
• Ensure all communications align with Dixon Hall’s brand voice, values, and commitment to dignity and inclusion.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Work collaboratively with the Housing, Shelter, and Property Management teams to ensure alignment between operational priorities and communications efforts.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications department to ensure that agency-wide brand guidelines are applied consistently and communications remain uniform and standardized.
• Supervise and mentor the Community Engagement and Outreach Assistant, providing guidance and oversight on community projects and events.
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings and contribute to organizational communication planning.
• Other duties as required

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Community Development, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in community relations, public communications, or stakeholder engagement, preferably in the non-profit or housing sector.
• Demonstrated experience in issues management and community engagement.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency in working with diverse communities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of the housing, shelter, or social services sector is a strong asset.
• Must be qualified to work in Canada legally for the employer.
• Able to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening check with a ‘Clear’ or satisfactory result that meets the operational requirements of the Agency.
• Must have up-to-date vaccinations against COVID-19 with a vaccine that has been approved for use in Canada.

Dixon Hall may use Artificial Intelligence-assisted tools during the recruitment process to support efficiency and consistency. Final hiring decisions are made by the Human Resources team.

Dixon Hall is dedicated to fostering an inclusive selection process and work environment, guided by their Race Relations and Employment Equity Policies. If selected for an interview, please inform the hiring manager or the People and Culture team of any accommodations you may require during the interview process.

To achieve their goal of inclusivity and diversity, Dixon Hall actively seeks exceptional candidates from varied backgrounds and with lived experiences. Individuals who self-identify as being from marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or who have experienced homelessness, are strongly encouraged to apply.