Provincial PIRG Network Researcher
Submission Deadline: May 24, 2011, 9am
Position: Provincial PIRG Network Researcher
This is a 13-week summer student position from June 6 to September 5, 2011 for 32.5 hours/week at a rate of $13.00 per hour.
Organization:
WPIRG is a student funded and directed environmental and social justice organization based at the University of Waterloo. WPIRG’s mission is to engage students and community members to become active citizens and volunteers on environmental, human rights, and social justice issues.
Background:
WPIRG is a member of OPIRG Provincial, which is comprised of 11 university student -funded and -directed, non-profit chapters that conduct research, education and action on social and environmental justice issues.
The OPIRG Network of Public Interest Research Groups is composed of 11 autonomous PIRG chapters based at the following universities in Ontario:
OPIRG-Brock - Brock University
OPIRG-Carleton - Carleton University
OPIRG-Guelph - University of Guelph
OPIRG-Kingston - Queen’s University
OPIRG-McMaster - McMaster University
OPIRG-Ottawa - Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa
OPIRG-Peterborough - Trent University
OPIRG-Toronto - University of Toronto
Waterloo PIRG - University of Waterloo
OPIRG-Windsor - University of Windsor
OPIRG-York - York University
The OPIRG Board of Directors is comprised of one staff and one board representative from each PIRG member. All PIRGs in Ontario are members of the OPIRG network, except the Laurier Students PIRG that formed 4 years ago. WPIRG left the OPIRG network previously, but subsequently rejoined.
The primary goal of this position is to evaluate the way OPIRG functions, identify opportunities for growth, and current challenges faced by the network. The aim is to provide recommendations on increasing the effectiveness of the network, creating stronger partnerships within and outside the network, and maintaining the long-term sustainability of the OPIRG network.
This position will be responsible for developing recommendations that will be presented to the OPIRG network and WPIRG. This may include, but not be limited to: conducting interviews with OPIRG staff and affiliates across Southern Ontario; attending any OPIRG Network summer meeting/retreat; creating web-based material for the OPIRG website; researching funding programs and grants for the network; and, researching OPIRG historical documents and archives.
NOTE: Before applying, please read OPIRG’s Mission Statement at the OPIRG website at http://www.opirg.org/
Duties:
Under the direction of WPIRG’s full-time staff, this position will be responsible for:
- researching the OPIRG Network in order to document the history of the Provincial Network / inter-PIRG relations as well as identify present opportunities and challenges faced by the network;
- developing a set of recommendations for the future sustainability of the OPIRG network in consultation with the OPIRG Coordinator, as well as current and past OPIRG representatives (staff & board) from the 11 autonomous chapters;
- archiving all material studied for future reference;
- updating the OPIRG website;
- writing and designing a report (summary of findings) which will be presented to the WPIRG Staff and Board of Directors by the end of the placement;
- managing other information and communication needs; and other tasks as required.
Qualifications:
- Interest in social and environmental justice issues
- Strong research and critical analysis skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong problem solving skills
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a group setting
- Outgoing, positive, enthusiastic & creative
- Proficient in Word, Excel, internet/email applications
Eligibility:
This position is made possible through partial funding under the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) initiative. As such, applicants must be students who meet the following criteria:
- be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusively) at the start of the employment;
- be a student in a secondary, post-secondary, vocational or technical program;
- have been registered as a full-time student in the 2010-2011 academic year, and intend to return to school on a full-time basis during the 2011-12 academic year,
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and,
- be legally entitled to work according to provincial legislation and regulations;
How to apply:
Applicants must provide a resume with three references and a cover letter.
Deliver to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1. Email applications must be submitted as a single pdf file and can be sent to info@wpirg.org. We regret that only those applicants selected for an interview will be notified.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday May 24th, 2011 at 9am.
Interviews will take place between May 30 and June 3, 2011.
Employment Equity Statement:
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.
In their cover letter, we encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to WPIRG.
