Community Engagement Coordinator - Young Canada Works Building Careers in Heritage

Position Summary 
22-Week Position 

Starts: October 28, 2024

Ends: March 28, 2025

Wage: $18.05/hr for 37.5 hrs/wk 

Application Deadline: Friday, September 20, 2024  

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is seeking a friendly, energetic, and organized individual interested in gaining valuable experience in community engagement. Working in a creative and vibrant setting, the Community Engagement Coordinator’s main duty will be to assist in the planning, coordinating, and managing of events, outreach, and weekend programs. This includes scheduling, venue coordination, and resource management.

Responsibilities include leading daily administrative tasks, including planning, coordinating, and managing volunteers, materials, and programs. The Community Engagement Coordinator will also assist in implementing the VAC’s outreach marketing strategy, including developing copy for social media posts and tracking metrics. This position also includes a research component in which the candidate will work with the Curator of Exhibitions and Development Coordinator to develop exhibition-related programming. 

The successful candidate will work closely with staff while fulfilling the VAC's mandate. Candidates should have completed post-secondary education in communication, visual arts, art history, arts management, marketing, travel and tourism, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have experience working with diverse audiences and excellent interpersonal skills. Previous experience in engagement, tourism, communications, or in a non-profit environment is an asset. First Aid Training and a Valid Driver's License is also an asset.

Description of tasks:

• Planning, coordinating, and managing events, outreach, and weekend programs

• Managing volunteers on and off-site, including training and scheduling

• Material and budget management for outreach programs and events

• Assist in the creation of marketing materials to promote community events

• Researching exhibitions and working to develop in-gallery activities and tours

• Offering exhibition programs to community groups, including events and free tours

• Assist in creating marketing strategies to promote community events and programs, including providing content for various social media channels.

• Develop and implement strategies to reach out to community groups

• Identify and establish partnerships with community groups

• Act as a liaison between the gallery and the community, handling inquiries, providing information, and ensuring positive relationships.

• Collaborate with the Education Coordinator to develop and implement educational programs that engage schools and youth in art-related activities.

Candidate Profile:

• Post-secondary graduate from studies in communications, visual arts, art history, arts management, marketing, travel and tourism, or a related field.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience

• Excellent Organizational and Research Skills

• Ability to multi-task and work well independently and within a team

• Experience working within a creative setting

• An enthusiastic and energetic communication style

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Proficiency in the use of Standard Office software as well as Communications/document sharing software (such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive)

• Ability to work all twenty-two (22) weeks (mandatory)

• Eligible for the Young Canada Works Program for Building Careers in Heritage

• Ability to speak French is an asset

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an equal-opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples to apply. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building, we make every accommodation possible to ensure that we are inclusive in our hiring process.  

Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.

An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:

• Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible)

• Are legally entitled to work in Canada

• Are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment 

• Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment 

• Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program 

• Are unemployed or underemployed 

• Are a college or university graduate 

• Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program

Applicants are encouraged to apply through the YCW website and by contacting Dionne Powlenzuk at director@vac.ca on or before Friday, September 20th, 2024.