Community Engagement Coordinator

Summary

Outlink is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to join a small, collaborative, and cross-functional team to lead peer-support, outreach, communications, administration, inter-agency capacity building initiatives, and to support ongoing and developing programmatic and operational activities including resource development and information sharing.

Description

Community Engagement Coordinator

Hours: 24 hours/week (primarily Monday-Thursday, occasional evenings and weekends)
Anticipated start date: February 3, 2025 (flexible)
Salary: $34/hour
Location: Calgary, Alberta (hybrid office with expectation of regular in-person activities)
Applications due: January 14, 2025

Outlink is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to join a small, collaborative, and cross-functional team to lead peer-support, outreach, communications, administration, inter-agency capacity building initiatives, and to support ongoing and developing programmatic and operational activities including resource development and information sharing.

Calgary Outlink Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity is a community-based, non-profit charity that provides support, education, outreach, and referrals for 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied communities in Calgary, Alberta. By connecting community with community, Outlink strives to create spaces where all 2SLGBTQIA+ people can feel accepted, supported, and celebrated, building people up to be resilient and strong in their lives, embracing their authenticity in community and self.

What to expect from the position:

This is a part-time, 24 hr/week, contract running to the end of 2025 with the potential to renew dependent on funding. Hours are primarily Monday through Thursday with flexibility in the schedule to be determined in collaboration with the successful candidate. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required, in which case hours will be flexed accordingly. Pay is $34/hr with no room for negotiation. Anticipated start date is February 3, with flexibility to be determined with the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will report to the Director of Operations and Development and will work in collaboration with all members of the Outlink staff team as well as with community partners, volunteers, and/or practicum students as needed to support programming initiatives.

Outlink is currently operating in a hybrid model with programs and services being delivered both virtually and in person. The successful candidate will be required to maintain regular in-person office hours as well as represent Outlink in-person at events around the city.

What to expect from the work:

Please note that this position will be one of two Community Engagement Coordinators working collaboratively in the role with duties shared and divided between the Coordinators based on organizational need and individual interest. As such, the successful candidate may be more heavily involved in certain areas and will not necessarily be solely or primarily responsible for all duties outlined below.

The Community Engagement Coordinator is a front-facing position and the first point of contact for people seeking Outlink's services. The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for answering phone calls, emails, and social media messages, and connecting people as appropriate with the information and resources they are looking for. The Community Engagement Coordinator will also be responsible for general upkeep of the office, greeting visitors, and ensuring the space is kept tidy, welcoming, and appropriately stocked with needed supplies.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will be part of a peer support team, communicating directly with service users in one-on-one or in group settings, developing trust and rapport to support people emotionally, and connecting them with further resources and supports if needed and/or desired. This could also include things like developing materials such as fact sheets, guide books, or resource lists, or building on Outlink’s training and education offerings. While experience delivering peer support services is a significant asset, training can be provided to strengthen skills in this area.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for day-to-day communications and administrative needs including but not limited to updating and maintaining a variety of online records and resources including social media, websites, calendars, and databases. The Community Engagement Coordinator will work alongside the rest of the team in maintaining and improving communications and administrative systems and processes and will take leadership in developing key projects as needed. This could also include things like writing newsletters, supporting fundraising efforts, or developing new reporting processes and data management systems.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will support the coordination and implementation of programmatic initiatives and outreach activities as needed, including but not limited to participating in resource fairs, giving presentations, and coordinating Outlink’s participation in Pride season activities. Other key programmatic areas the Community Engagement Coordinator may be called on to support include Outlink’s peer support groups, peer-mentorship program, and non-crisis support line. This could also include things like organizing social media campaigns, educational workshops, and other community events or developing new programs in line with Outlink’s goals and mission.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will support the coordination and development of interagency activities, projects, and programs as needed. The Community Engagement Coordinator will take leadership connecting with interagency partners and facilitating opportunities for communication, collaboration, and capacity building. The Community Engagement Coordinator will play a key role in relationship building with other organizations and in identifying needs and gaps within networks. This could also include things like developing and coordinating meetings, workshops, newsletters, mentorship opportunities, or other activities in line with Outlink’s goals and mission to support capacity building for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and those who serve them.

Outlink is continuously developing and adapting its programs, services, and operations to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The Community Engagement Coordinator will participate in ongoing discussion, planning, and implementation of organizational change work in collaboration with other staff, the Outlink Board of Directors, volunteers, community members, and community partners. This could also include things like attending workshops on anti-oppressive practice, participating in strategic planning sessions, or engaging in new community outreach activities.

While we have certain goals and anticipated outcomes for this position, there is flexibility in how these goals are achieved. We welcome candidates to bring their own goals and make this position their own. We’ve included a few possibilities of what that could look like above, but we’d love to hear if there are particular areas of interest or projects you think you might like to take on. We want to support you in making this a successful and rewarding experience that benefits you, Outlink, and the community at large!

Job duties may include but are not limited to:

• Peer Support & Education

  • Engaging with the community in a welcoming, supportive, non-judgemental manner.
  • Providing information about Outlink and other available community services.
  • Assisting individuals in resource navigation and referrals to professional and community-based resources.
  • Offering direct peer-support and/or education with individuals and groups.

• Administration & Resource Development

  • Updating and maintaining Outlink’s resource databases.
  • Coordinating the sharing of information about programs, services, events, and other opportunities on social media, community calendars, and other spaces as appropriate.
  • Developing and maintaining information management systems.
  • Documenting interactions for records and reporting.
  • Updating and maintaining information related to various networks, databases, and services to which Outlink belongs.

• Community Outreach & Supporting Interagency Activities

  • Coordinating and facilitating interagency meetings and activities.
  • Meeting 1-1 with interagency partners and other community leaders.
  • Identifying new connection opportunities and relationship building.
  • Conducting needs assessments.
  • Exploring and implementing opportunities for connection, collaboration, learning, and growth.

• Program Support & Organizational Development

  • Supporting the development and implementation of programs, projects, workshops, and other activities and resources as needed.
  • Collaborating with a variety of organizations and businesses to develop partnerships and programs that support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
  • Providing on-site support for Outlink and community events when required.
  • Participating in ongoing organizational change and development processes.

Qualifications include:

• 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied community knowledge and experience
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Community organizing experience
• Experience coordinating and/or facilitating meetings, workshops, or other programs and activities
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to think strategically, navigate and coordinate systems, and problem solve
• Ability to work both collaboratively and with limited supervision
• Effective communication skills
• Established computer skills
• Experience and understanding of anti-oppressive practices
• Willingness to participate in ongoing organizational and systems change work

You absolutely do not need to be an expert in all these areas to qualify for this position! We recognize that there are many paths one might take to come to this type of work and many different ways to be successful in this role. If our work resonates with you and this position sounds like something you might be interested in, we encourage you to apply. If you have skills and experiences not listed above that you think will serve well in this position, we’d love to hear about them. Paid work, volunteer work, education, and lived experience will all be considered. As Outlink operates on a peer support model, individuals who self-identify as peers to 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or QTBIPOC communities will be prioritized.

Compensation:

• $34/hour
• Monthly stipend to help offset commuting/WFH costs
• Paid vacation and personal wellness days
• Paid office-wide closures throughout the year
• Health benefits coverage
• Professional development funds and opportunities available

How to apply:

• Please submit a resume and cover letter with relevant 2SLGBTQ+ related community and work experience through Reach Hire – please contact us to make other arrangements if necessary.
• Questions may be directed to hiring@calgaryoutlink.ca

Time Frame:

• Applications close January 14, 2025.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Please be sure to detail relevant experience and interest in your resume and cover letter to ensure we have the necessary information to assess your qualifications for the role.
• Please note that Outlink will be closed for our year end closure between December 20 and January 5, so there will be a pause in the selection process during that period.
• Interviews will be completed by January 23, 2024.
• Contract runs February 2025 – December 2025 with flexible start date and potential to renew.