Waterloo Work
WPIRG Job Posting - Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator
Submission Deadline: March 4th 2013, 9am
WPIRG is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual with a demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice to fill the full-time permanent position of ‘Outreach & Resource Centre 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 in 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 ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’ is to develop and implement a WPIRG outreach strategy; build awareness of the organization – its mandate, services, programming etc. on the University of Waterloo campus; increase the public profile of the organization in the broader Kitchener-Waterloo community; and maintain the WPIRG Resource Centre.
Campus Outreach: Raise awareness of the organization on the University of Waterloo campus through a variety of means – class talks, traveling displays, posters, ads, information meetings etc. Connect and network with other campus groups, societies and clubs, as well as sympathetic faculty and departments.
Community Relations: Build and maintain relationships with allied organizations in the broader Kitchener-Waterloo community. Seek out and actively create opportunities for collaboration between WPIRG and other community groups/projects.
Website & Social Media: Develop and implement a social media strategy. Maintain and regularly update the WPIRG website, Facebook page/group and Twitter account. Create WPIRG outreach materials (both electronic and hard copies).
Resource Centre: Maintain the functionality of the library – ensure that the centre has up to date materials (renew magazine and journal subscriptions, acquire new books and DVDs as required), track materials and maintain/update the Delicious Electronic Library System, assist library users (in-office, calls, email correspondence) in finding information, and stock the WPIRG zine distro.
Research: Envision and develop WPIRG research projects. Supervise and assist with volunteer research initiatives – helping to define and refine projects, developing research strategies and providing feedback.
In addition, the ‘Outreach & Resource Centre 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 social movement/activist oriented resources (i.e. publications, books, journals, zines, documentaries etc.)
· Familiarity with activist research methodologies
· Knowledge of anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying this throughout your work
· Experience in promotion of workshops, events, campaigns and/or actions
· Experience in development and implementation of outreach strategies
· Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic work environment
· Ability to create outreach materials (i.e. posters, pamphlets, flyers etc.)
· Proficiency with social media and basic web development skills
· Experience with not-for-profit organizations
· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
· Familiarity with a university/college environment
Employment Terms
The ‘Outreach & Resource Centre Coordinator’ is a permanent full-time position with a 6-month probationary period. It is a 30 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 March 25th.
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 one of the following questions:
1) How would you envision your role in fostering a radical campus environment and supporting students working towards social change?
2) How do you integrate an anti-oppression framework into your activism, and what are some of the challenges?
Deadline for Submissions is Monday March 4th 2013 at 9am.
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.