PIRG Job in Waterloo!
WPIRG Job Posting- Volunteer & Programming Coordinator
Submission Deadline: Thursday, August 1st 2013
WPIRG is seeking a dynamic and personable individual with a demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice to fill the full-time permanent position of ‘Volunteer & Programming Coordinator’.
The Organization
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is a student funded and directed organization that provides support for students and community members to research, educate, and take action on social and environmental justice issues. WPIRG is a non-hierarchical organization that uses consensus decision-making processes, and strives to create an anti-oppressive working environment by proactively opposing all forms of oppression such as those based on gender, race, class, sexuality, age, cultural heritage/ethnicity, religion, and ability.
WPIRG has a high turnover of volunteers and the three permanent staff provide continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. Staff carry out critical support work that maintains the integrity of the organization, assist volunteers, and provide connection to other activists, community groups, and organizations. They have an awareness of and interest in issues relating to racism, sexism, queer and trans* phobia, class exploitation, imperialism, environmental degradation, indigenous sovereignty and decolonization, and ableism. WPIRG is a small office environment, so staff work collaboratively, support each other, and share some responsibilities.
The Position
The primary function of the ‘Volunteer & Programming Coordinator’ is to directly support the activism and political organizing of volunteers, and to deliver events and programming. This work broadly falls into three categories – 1) volunteer recruitment and engagement, 2) volunteer and action group support and development, and 3) coordination of workshops, actions and events. Working in consultation with the board of directors, staff and volunteers, primary responsibilities include:
Recruitment: Initial recruitment of volunteers employing a variety of media – traveling displays, posters, ads, community service announcements, information meetings etc. Assist action groups in the continued recruitment of volunteers through the resource centre/office, and general promotion.
Orientation: Ensure that WPIRG volunteers receive adequate orientation to the organization. A variety of methods may be employed, including: written guides, meetings, personal interviews, introductory trainings etc.
Tracking: Review the activities of volunteers and action groups to ensure that participants are adhering to the organization’s policies and procedures.
Support: Provide ongoing assistance to volunteer and action group initiatives, including: outreach, networking (providing contacts - campus and community groups), administrative support, strategic planning and goal setting, providing research and relevant information, and general troubleshooting.
Programming: Organize and coordinate events, workshops, and actions related to WPIRG’s mandate, and commitment to anti-oppression and social justice.
Training: Determine the training needs of volunteers, and organize trainings relevant to these needs. Trainings may include (but need not be limited to): anti-oppression, consensus decision-making, solidarity not charity, anti-capitalism, indigenous solidarity, anti-racism, direct action, meeting facilitation etc.
In addition, the ‘Volunteer & Programming Coordinator’ will assist other permanent staff in the following areas: policy development, grant applications and strategic planning.
Qualifications
· Demonstrated interest and experience in social and environmental justice organizing, and familiarity with related contemporary issues
· Knowledge of anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying this throughout your work
· Demonstrated ability to recruit, engage, coordinate and support volunteers
· Experience in event planning and action coordination
· Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic work environment
· Ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
· Excellent collaborative skills, demonstrated ability to work well with students, volunteers, and co-workers
· Demonstrated skills and training in inclusive process: theory and practice of consensus decision-making, group dynamics, and conflict resolution
· Ability to design and lead workshops and trainings
· Experience with not-for-profit organizations
· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
· Familiarity with a university/college environment
Employment Terms
The ‘Volunteer & Programming Coordinator’ is a permanent full-time position with a 6-month probationary period. It is a 35 hours per week position at a rate of $20.63 per hour, with extended health care benefits and four weeks paid vacation per year. Permanent staff are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1281. The anticipated start date is Monday, August 12th 2013.
Because WPIRG is located on a university campus it follows the cycles of university life – four-month terms (the busiest terms being Sep-Dec and Jan-Apr and the slowest term being May-Aug). Within each term, another cycle exists, with the beginning of term being the most active and the end of term quieter. Work time allocated to the various areas of responsibility will vary greatly depending on the time of term. Evening and some weekend work is expected.
How to Apply
WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and encourages aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe in their cover letter the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to WPIRG.
Also in their cover letter, all applicants are asked to provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression.
Applicants must provide a resume with 3 references, a cover letter, and a response, no longer than 750 words, to the following question:
1) How would you envision your role in encouraging and supporting radical student activism?
Deadline for Submissions is Thursday, August 1st 2013.
Deliver submissions to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; or email applications to tammy@wpirg.org.
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.