Community Development Program Lead (1-year contract)

• Use your knowledge and understanding of Community Development Program Lead skills in representing our community's members
• Receive a competitive wage of $39.63–$45.41
• Don't miss this chance to make a true difference to the vibrant community of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

About the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation is a strong, vibrant, and progressive Indigenous community that is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from the heart of Toronto. Located nearby to the rural community of Port Perry, MSIFN has the benefits of small-town living while having close proximity to urban areas. As part of the Anishinabek Nation and signatories to the Williams Treaties and other pre-confederation treaties, MSIFN is extremely proud of our Indigenous culture and long history of protecting our Aboriginal and Treaty rights. As owners of the Great Blue Heron Casino and creators of the Noozhoo Nokiiyan Economic Development Limited Partnership, MSIFN has an entrepreneurial spirit and expectation for excellence. We encourage team members to be professional, flexible, dynamic, team players, who have a self-starting attitude and respect for all employees in the workplace. While working within clear lines of authority, MSIFN requires someone who can bring out the best in those who surround them. We are a busy First Nation, with many capital projects and opportunities ahead.  The community and workplace are led by an elected Council of 5 (a Chief and four Councillors) and a Senior Management Team led by the First Nation Manager and including Managers from Operations, Finance, Human Resources, IT, and Health and Social Services. We value the hard work of our entire workforce and support them with a culture of collaboration and respect. 

For more information about our vibrant community please visit our homepage by clicking here.   

DUTIES:                                  

Reporting to the First Nation Manager, the Community Development Program Lead is responsible for providing overall coordination, guidance, and operational oversight of MSIFN's Community Development Program, including the Community Garden, Sugar Bush, and Cattle initiatives. The role supports land-based, community-driven programming that promotes food security, skills development, cultural learning, and meaningful community participation. The position works closely with Community Development Coordinators and balances program oversight with on-the-ground coordination to ensure activities across program sites are well organized, appropriately resourced, safely delivered, and responsive to community needs.

• Program Oversight & Delivery: Provide oversight and direction for the Community Development Program, including the Community Garden, Sugar Bush, and Cattle initiatives, ensuring consistent, safe, and effective program delivery aligned with community needs, MSIFN strategic goals, seasonal workplans, and intended program outcomes.
• Team Lead Support: Support Community Development Coordinators by providing guidance, problem-solving support, and coordination across program sites. Help organize daily tasks, workflows, and priorities for Coordinators, seasonal labourers, and program participants.
• Budgeting & Funding: Prepare, oversee, and monitor the Community Development budget with accountability, transparency, and alignment to MSIFN policies and strategic goals. Proactively pursue, secure, and administer funding that supports community capacity-building initiatives, ensuring strong reporting and measurable outcomes.
• Seasonal Workplans & Land-Based Activities: Develop, implement, and oversee annual and seasonal workplans in collaboration with Coordinators, reflecting planting, harvesting, maple syrup production, cattle care, and other related land-based activities.
• Mentorship & Participant Support: Provide mentorship, direction, and hands-on guidance to seasonal labourers and program participants, fostering skill development, positive work habits, and respectful, inclusive learning environments. Support participants with varying needs, abilities, and levels of readiness using an empathetic, strength-based approach.
• Community Capacity Building: Develop and support community capacity-building, food security, cultural learning, and skill development through practical, land-based programming that encourages meaningful participation and community connection.
• Communication & Relationships: Promote positive, respectful communication and strong working relationships among Coordinators, labourers, program participants, community members, internal MSIFN departments, and external partners.
• Onboarding & Safety: Provide onboarding and orientation for seasonal labourers and participants, including safety expectations, work practices, and program guidelines. Monitor daily program activities to ensure safe use of tools, equipment, and facilities and compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Administration, Tracking & Reporting: Support tracking of participation, activities, and outcomes, and ensure timely processing of payments to program participants and vendors to inform reporting, evaluation, and continuous program improvement.
• Other: Perform other related duties to support the effective delivery and sustainability of the Community Development Program. Comply with privacy legislation, laws, policies, and procedures while respecting and maintaining confidentiality; comply with health and safety legislation, policies, and procedures; participate in mandatory meetings and training sessions as directed; and perform other duties as assigned.

PAY GRADE:                           $39.63–$45.41

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Diploma in Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Social Services, or a related field
• 3 years of experience working in community-based, land-based, food security, or agricultural programming
• Experience providing lead-hand, senior, or coordination support to teams, seasonal staff, volunteers, or program participants
• 5 years total work experience
• Knowledge of First Nation governance, community dynamics, and culturally grounded approaches to community development and land-based programming
• Ability to support agricultural and land-based activities such as community gardening, sugar bush operations, cattle care, and seasonal initiatives
• Demonstrated empathy, cultural awareness, and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work respectfully and effectively with participants who have diverse needs, abilities, experiences, and life circumstances
• Strong organizational, planning, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to coordinate seasonal, multi-site program activities and support annual and seasonal workplans
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements and the ability to promote safe work practices in outdoor, agricultural, and land-based environments
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing program needs, and facilitate the resolution of conflicts to maintain a positive and productive work environment
• Valid driver's license and $1M liability insurance
• CPIC/VSS acceptable to position upon conditional offer
• Work experience with a First Nation or Indigenous Organization is considered an asset
• Knowledge, understanding, and respect for Indigenous culture, traditions, teachings, and community dynamics is considered an asset
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, as deemed appropriate by the hiring panel, will also be considered.