WPIRG Coordinator of Programming & Volunteer Support

Deadline for Submissions is Monday July 16th, 2007 at 10:00am
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual who has a life-long interest in issues of social and environmental justice to fill the permanent position of “Coordinator of Programming and Volunteer Support”.

The Organization
WPIRG is a student funded and directed organization that provides support for students to research, educate, and take action on environmental and social justice issues. WPIRG endeavours to foster a non-hierarchical working environment by following consensus decision-making processes. WPIRG strives to be an anti-oppressive working environment by proactively opposing all forms of oppression such as those based on gender, race, class, sexual preference, age, cultural heritage/ethnicity, religion, gender orientation, and ability.
WPIRG has a high turnover in volunteers and the two permanent staff provide continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. They carry out critical support work that maintains the integrity of the organization, assist volunteers in their activism, and provide connections to other activists and organizations. WPIRG is a small office environment and the two staff work collaboratively and share some responsibilities. The primary support for staff is each other.
The Position
The Coordinator of Programming and Volunteer Support is a permanent full time position with a 6 month probationary period; 40 hours per week at a rate of $18.42 per hour, with extended benefits. Permanent staff are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1281. The anticipated employment start date is August 13th, 2007.
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 with 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. There may be some overtime accumulated at the beginning of the Fall and Winter terms, which can often be taken off at the end of term or during the summer term. 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.
The primary work of the Coordinator of Programming and Volunteer Support fall into two categories – 1) to directly support the activism of volunteers and 2) to organize events, including those determined through the strategic direction of the Board and the Coordinator of Projects and Organizational Development. Working in consultation with the other staff, primary responsibilities will include volunteer recruitment, orientation, tracking and support, and event planning and delivery.
Additionally, this position is to assist in the continuing development and maintenance of an organizational infrastructure that indirectly supports the work of volunteers, which may include organizational planning, policy development, grant writing, training development and office & library maintenance.
Integral to the further improvement in WPIRG’s ability to meet its mandate is continuous consultation with volunteers, especially the Board of Directors, and the Coordinator of Projects and Organizational Development, in developing new approaches and solutions in all areas. Specific objectives and responsibilities may be articulated by the Board of Directors in work plans that are developed and approved by the Board from time to time – additional responsibilities may also be added.
Qualifications
Essential Skills
– Demonstrated interest and experience in social and environmental justice and familiarity with contemporary issues and their interconnections
– Experience coordinating volunteers
– Experience coordinating and promoting events & projects
– Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic work environment
– Ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
– Excellent problem solving capacity in a fast paced environment
– Excellent collaborative skills
– Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
– Demonstrated skills and training in inclusive process: theory and practice of consensus decision-making; group dynamics; and conflict resolution
– Anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying this throughout your work
– Demonstrated ability to work well with students, volunteers, and co-workers in a collaborative way
– Ability to create promotional materials
– Familiarity with a university/college environment
Beneficial skills (but not required)
– Ability to give workshops
– Experience with not-for-profit organizations
– Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
– Ability to update websites
– Experience writing and administering grants
How to Apply
WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people, trans-sexuals, intersexed people, working class 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 500 words, to 1 of the following questions:
– What role do social change agents play in engaging marginalized communities?
– Why is volunteerism with social change agencies important in the lives of students?
Deadline for Submissions is Monday July 16th, 2007 at 10:00am
Deliver submissions to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; or email applications to jobs@wpirg.org
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.