Summary

The Community Health Ambassador plays a key role in community health initiatives, advocacy, client engagement, population health while working within WellFort’s Open Focused Care service delivery. Community Health Ambassador will collaboratively with community groups, networking agencies and other stakeholders using a community development model.

Description

WellFort is seeking a Community Health Ambassador to join our team! 

Community Health Ambassador (CHA) – 1.0 FTE Full-time Contract (until March 31, 2026)  

(Please note that preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as part of the Black, African, or Caribbean communities, as part of our commitment to increasing representation and addressing systemic barriers within these communities.) 

WellFort is a non-profit, values-based organization that provides health promotion and prevention programs, primary and oral health care and works with local residents and other agencies to increase community capacity. 

The Community Health Ambassador plays a key role in community health initiatives, advocacy, client engagement, population health while working within WellFort’s Open Focused Care service delivery. Community Health Ambassador will collaboratively with community groups, networking agencies and other stakeholders using a community development model. The Community Health Ambassador works with inter-disciplinary teams functioning both independently and with the community team in health promotion, education, community development, advocacy and outreach activities.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work closely with the integrated care team to engage community members, providing accurate information on preventative primary care, diabetes care, cancer screening, chronic disease, mental health, and vaccination. 

  • Deliver culturally appropriate education and conduct presentations on cancer screening, diabetes care, and other health topics within the community and organizations. 

  • Facilitate care planning, cancer screening, and diabetes appointment bookings through internal and external referrals. 

  • Track and collect outreach and education activities, ensuring data is accurate and up-to-date. 

  • Collaborate with Support and Care Navigators, Communications Specialists, and Health Promoters to create educational resources and outreach strategies. 

  • Promote and recruit community members for focus groups, interviews, and health promotion activities. 

  • Direct community members to appropriate services and programs for support, including food security, financial assistance, and other wraparound services. 

  • Engage in grassroots community outreach to promote WellFort health initiatives, programs, and services. 

  • Liaise with committees/networks to help community members access practical and emotional support services from WellFort and partners. 

  • Participate in collecting trends, outreach activity statistics, and project evaluations. 

  • Support and participate in educational sessions, town halls, and other health promotion activities. 

  • Provide referrals to internal and external resources as needed. 

  • Assist with educational events related to preventative care, diabetes, and chronic disease. 

  • Support duties in other programs, mobile clinics, and outreach activities as needed. 

  • Engage with the community to promote independence, environmental protection, and the development of healthy public policies. 

  • Participate in community projects to provide education and develop collaborative strategies. 

  • Plan and evaluate community initiatives, in collaboration with the team. 

  • Contribute to the development of content for WellFort’s website and social media related to health promotion, advocacy, and campaigns. 

  • Assist with funding proposals, grant applications, evaluations, and reports as required. 

  • Supervise and support students from educational institutions. 

  • Collaborate with supervisor to develop and track an annual work plan. 

  • Maintain professional linkages by joining relevant groups and participating in educational activities. 

  • Attend staff meetings, interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to health centre activities, including training, committees, and special events. 

  • Communicate clearly, listen actively, handle conflict appropriately, and display sensitivity to others. 

  • Foster collaboration and teamwork, ensuring WellFort’s commitment to an inclusive, discrimination-free environment. 

  • Maintain confidentiality and the reputation of WellFort and its clients. 

  • Promote a healthy and active lifestyle and work in a manner that values diversity and respects WellFort’s mission and values. 

  • Adhere to WellFort policies and procedures and maintain a flexible work schedule to meet client and community needs. 

  • Complete administrative duties as assigned and perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS 

  • Undergraduate degree or college diploma in a relevant field or a combination of lived/living and work experience relevant to the role. 

  • Preference will be given to candidates self-identifying from the Black, African, Caribbean community 

  • Experience with community-based outreach in an employment or volunteer capacity. 

  • Demonstrated experience and knowledge of asset-based community development approach to outreach activities. 

  • Experience of working with the Black African and Caribbean (BAC) communities of different age, gender, and socio-economic status. 

  • Experience in group work and program development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 

  • Experience working with communities and individuals who face barriers accessing traditional healthcare services such as poverty, discrimination, mental health, and substance use issues. 

  • Experience developing and facilitating group presentations. 

  • Demonstrated experience in effective time management and organizational skills. 

  • Experience working with confidential and time-sensitive documents and information. 

  • Ability to speak languages relevant to the residents of the organization’s community is an asset. 

  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in social service work or community work. 

  • Demonstrated knowledge of myths, misinformation, and stigma, as it relates to preventative care, cancer screening, and diabetes within the BAC community. 

  • Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, health promotion, and the impact of social determinants of health and public health policies on the racialized and marginalized communities. 

  • Strong knowledge and understanding of community resources in the Region of Peel. 

  • Knowledge of and experience with disease prevention and management is an asset. 

  • Advanced understanding and critical analysis of the determinants of health and social factors, such as power and privilege that affect individual, organizational, and community health. 

  • Well-versed in the principles of adult education. 

  • Excellent written communication and oral skills that meet the needs of the individual and/or community at the appropriate literacy level. 

  • Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment. 

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. 

  • Proficient in the use of computers including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, etc. 

  • Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle. 

  • Access to a reliable vehicle and a valid Ontario driver’s license in good standing is an asset. 

Apply Now and EMPOWER your Career 

Candidates who self-identify as being from a marginalized community, including people with lived/living experience of drug use and/or houselessness, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We invite these candidates to indicate their relevant identities in their cover letters. 

Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to participate in WellFort’s commitment to becoming an inclusive, barrier-free health centre and an ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. 

For more information visit www.WellFort.ca  

Hiring Salary Range:  $26.94 per hour – $31.81per hour (consideration of experience)  

Compensation package includes health and dental benefits and HOOPP pension benefits. 

Interested applicants: 

Forward your resume and cover letter to hiring@wellfort.ca  

Application deadline: Open until filled 

Quote “CHA1224” in the subject line 

No phone calls please. Successful candidates will be contacted 

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT:

As a condition of employment, new WellFort staff must be fully vaccinated unless they have received an exemption from vaccination under the Human Rights Code. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status will be required before the first day of work or, proof of religious or medical exemption, if or where applicable. 

Fully vaccinated is defined as having received the completed series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date. 

The candidate will be asked to provide WellFort with proof of full vaccination, prior to their employment start date. Acceptable proof is a Ministry of Health Dose Administration Receipt (or such other proof of vaccination that the Province of Ontario sanctions). This can be obtained through the Provincial portal https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/. 

The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to vaccinate for a reason protected by the Code, a request for accommodation can be requested and written proof satisfactory to the organization will be required.