Position: Environmental Justice Project Coordinator
11 weeks, from June 18, 2012 through August 31, 2012
30 hours/week at $13.00/hour
Please note: This position is for students only — please see the “How to apply” section for a list of eligibility requirements.
Organization:
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is a student funded and directed organization that exists as a portal for students and community members to involve themselves in critical university engagement, radical community involvement and active participation in movements for social and environmental justice. Started in 1973, WPIRG aims to facilitate campus and community-based activism.
Background:
WPIRG will be hosting a gathering in August 2012 to educate and engage students and the greater Kitchener-Waterloo community in understanding and working towards Environmental Justice. The aim of this project will be to further understandings of the intricacies of oppressions that affect our bodies, our environment and our communities, such as racism, colonialism, queerphobia, and gender politics, amongst others. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for organizing the planning, logistics and marketing of the event.
Duties:
The successful candidate will:
• Work with staff and Board members to implement the collective vision for the project and build awareness on the UW campus and greater community of the intersections between environmental and other issues;
• Set a timeline for preparation, planning and logistics;
• Organize speakers, presenters and facilitators;
• Coordinate volunteers and promotional materials, including posters, advertisements, and overall marketing and communications, with input from WPIRG’s staff and Board of Directors;
• Arrange many accessibility options to be available, such as childcare, ASL interpretation, food and snacks considering various dietary needs, accessible locations, bus tickets, etc.;
Desired skills:
• Experience organizing and promoting events, and experience coordinating education based trainings or political programming is an asset.
• Experience working within an anti-oppression framework, particularly working around environmental justice issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization and management skills.
• Acute attention to detail while being flexible/responsive to change.
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Self-motivated, creative, and enthusiastic.
• Interested and engaged in environmental and social justice issues.
• Familiar with the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
• Familiar with graphics design is an asset.
How to apply:
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this position:
• are between 15 and 30 years of age;
• have been registered as a full-time student in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
• are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or have official refugee protection status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (foreign students are not eligible); and
• are legally entitled to work in Canada, according to relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.
Please submit:
Your resume with 2 references and a cover letter summarizing your experience relevant to this position, your experience working within an anti-oppression framework, and your understanding of the intersections of environmental and social justice, using an example of your choice by Monday, June 11th 5pm. Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted.
Email applications to tammy@wpirg.org. We regret that only those applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Interviews will take place on Wednesday, June 13th & Thursday, June 14th. Employment start date is June 18th, 2012.
Employment Equity Statement:
WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites indigenous peoples, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people, trans-sexuals, intersexed people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who have lived experience of marginalization/oppression, would like to share in their cover letter.
