Community Coordinator
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society is hiring for a 21h / week, one-year contract ‘Community Coordinator’ position.
About Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary:
The Nature Sanctuary Society is a registered non-profit charity organization that fosters understanding and appreciation of nature through direct experience. For nearly 50 years the Nature Sanctuary has offered educational programming for millions of people to forge deeper connections to nature on lands and waters that are home to an incredible array of native plants and animals.
We acknowledge that the Nature Sanctuary is on the ancestral territories of the lək ̓ʷəŋən peoples, represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, represented by the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations.
We respect the vital relationships of First Peoples with these lands and waters for countless generations. We are honoured to receive Indigenous guidance and welcome collaboration in stewardship and appreciation of the Nature Sanctuary.
The Nature Sanctuary lands are owned by the District of Saanich, except for two small parcels that are Nature Trust BC Lands. The lands are governed by the Board of Directors of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, a non-profit and Registered Charity organization, under the terms of a Land Management Agreement between the Society and the Municipality of Saanich.
Read more about the Nature Sanctuary by navigating the links at the following URL and our conservation, restoration and education goals as outlined in our Strategic Plan, linked at the following URL.
About the position:
You will oversee marketing and communications initiatives for the organization as well as offer membership and development support. You will be creative, self-directed as well as an excellent team player. As this is a communications role, being pleasant and attentive to detail are important features, as are the ability to multi-task, and manage unexpected events as they arise.
The Community Coordinator will support the organization’s conservation, restoration and education goals as outlined in our Strategic Plan, linked at the following URL. A main focus of this position is communications with our members, donors, visitors and other stakeholders.
This position is a good fit for you if you are interested in working in the non-profit, environmental or community engagement sectors. You will be part of a small team and work most closely with our education and administrative teams. This role requires excellent communication and collaboration skills. You are well-organized, can follow directions, are accountable for producing high-quality work, and are able to problem solve and innovate independently. Having a deep interest in water and land conservation is a plus too!
Specifications:
- One position available on site in Victoria, BC
- Part time 21 hours/week, one year contract, with possibility of extension. Probationary review at three months.
- Work schedule to be determined with successful candidate. Team schedule is generally Monday – Friday 9:00-4:30; half hour unpaid lunch, and some flexibility required for workshops or other events
- Annualized compensation package $50,000-$52,000, depending on experience, to be pro-rated for 21 hours / week
- Our workplace includes flexible work scheduling, 12 observed paid holidays with optional time off between Dec 25 and Jan 1, professional development programming, 4% vacation, 70h paid personal time (pro-rated for part time), and 10% cash benefits allowance for extended health and dental coverage.
- Ideal start date: early June 2024
Duties include:
- Research, strategize, create and publish social media, website, e-newsletter and print materials aligned with our revised brand standards and messaging
- Oversee the regular distribution of communications and production of other assets (e.g. e-newsletters, press releases, articles, flyers for site and other promotional materials)
- Regularly connect with team members to understand communications needs and create and maintain communications calendar and workflows across organization to ensure effective and efficient distribution of materials internally and to external communities
- Facilitate regular refresh of Nature House displays and signage as well as other educational multi-media
- Support website refresh and facilitate minor edits and updates as needed
- Support the preparation of funding proposals, reports, cases for donor support and other materials with clear graphics and other visual assets
- Support on-site event planning and advertising
- Attend occasional off-site events and support community outreach
- Assist with metrics and analysis for internal and external communications
- Provide other strategic supports for the organization and participate in collective work as needed (e.g. maintaining assets on site)
Qualifications
- Demonstrated awareness and alignment with our organization’s structure, values, mission and vision
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. communications, public relations) with additional certification in graphic design, or equivalent in skills and experience
- Proven experience with marketing and communications initiatives (print, web and social media) and ability to connect with multiple diverse audiences
- Comfortable and experienced using PC computers, including modern communications and collaborative computing programs, and applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Zoom), as well as proficiency with graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud) and website editing (WordPress or similar)
- Professional attitude with ability to demonstrate patience and empathy when working with Nature Sanctuary staff, volunteers and others encountered in the course of work, including tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive situations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (specifically in English) with keen eye for accuracy and good grammar
- Ability to be creative, resourceful, and proactive
- Excellent organizational skills with exceptional ability to manage time and multi-task
- Class 5 driver’s license and reliable transportation to get to events and other programs off site
- Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Records Check for vulnerable populations
Assets
- Anti-oppression training or skills
- Experience working in the non-profit setting
- Fundraising experience
- Interest in local natural history and environmental issues
- Fluent in written French
- Fan of Milwaukee Public Library social posts
Eligibility
The above job description represents generally what we are seeking for this position, however we are open to folks who may have other skills to share. If you find either this position or our workplace of interest, please consider applying.
To learn more about our workplace and possible accommodations, please email Dr. Cara Gibson – cgibson [at] swanlake.bc.ca
Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical or for reasons recognized by the BC Human Rights Act may request accommodations.
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society is committed to creating mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples. We strive to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and understanding.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a community-focused organization. We centre human dignity and growing our connections to each other and to our environment. We believe that each of us is responsible for addressing discrimination and that we co-create peace and good relationships. We are committed to building a diverse staff and will be hiring through an equity lens.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of this work however the list is not exhaustive and other duties and responsibilities will occur. The Nature Sanctuary retains the right to amend responsibilities.
To Apply:
Please use our online portal and follow the instructions located below.
Please include two references (email addresses and phone numbers) with your resume.
Application deadline: Please apply as soon as possible for consideration.
Interviews anticipated to begin: May 27, 2024
Position to begin: early June, 2024
We are grateful to all applicants, however, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the size of our staff team, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are unable to provide feedback or career coaching, but refer people to the following provincial resources and other local resources [URLs embedded].