About the Position
Pollution Probe is looking for a Community Engagement Coordinator in London/St. Thomas and the surrounding area to support initiatives related to plastic pollution prevention, including education and community outreach activities.
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Organizing local events in support of Pollution Probe’s plastic pollution initiatives, including the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and a fishing line recycling project. This may include:
- Leveraging local events, festivals, markets, or opportunities to be visible in the community, raise awareness on local plastic pollution issues, and promote best practices on waste reduction.
- Convening webinars, workshops, or other educational sessions
- Developing materials related to event promotion (e.g. social media content, content for local newsletters or websites)
- Collecting fishing line for local partner sites in the region and reporting on the findings.
- Developing educational and promotional materials for Pollution Probe’s plastic pollution initiatives (e.g., creatively communicating Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and fishing line project data, interesting findings, content of specific interest to the local community).
- Communications activities associated with promoting other local community efforts (e.g., social media takeover day, community spotlight/interest stories).
- Collecting data from plastic capture devices at local site(s) (e.g. beaches) and reporting on findings. This will include organizing waste characterizations (i.e., waste audits sorting and determining different plastic types based on a standard set of protocols). This may also involve support for device maintenance where located in close proximity to the site(s).
- Establishing relationships with local partners in support of Pollution Probe’s plastic pollution initiatives within the community.
- Recruitment of local volunteers, groups, businesses or other communities to get involved with Pollution Probe’s engagement activities.
- Attendance at weekly check-in meetings and as otherwise required for the effective implementation of the initiative.
- Other duties/activities as required to contribute to the objectives of Pollution Probe.
Qualifications
We are looking for individuals who are willing to get involved on the ground, while generating excitement about the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and educating communities and the public about the importance of addressing plastic waste in our waterbodies.
The ideal candidate(s) will be ambassadors for our plastic pollution initiatives and should possess demonstrated professionalism, judgment, and discretion in dealing with the public.
Additional qualifications include:
- Strong interest and background in community engagement and a desire to contribute to keeping the Great Lakes and local waterways free from plastic pollution.
- Demonstrated ability to show initiative and share new ideas to grow the initiative in local communities.
- Adaptability to new skills, tasks and changes in equipment and/or procedures.
- Ability to travel to locations within the area to conduct site-visits, carry out cleanup activities and/or attend events. This may require access to a personal vehicle.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and complete deliverables on time and with a high degree of quality and care.
- Ability to work independently, with exceptional planning and organization skills.
- Willingness and ability to operate plastic capture technology (training will be provided). Knowledge or eagerness to learn how to use common tools for minor repairs of equipment, as needed.
- Willingness to handle debris found in the water (e.g., organic material, garbage, etc.) using appropriate equipment and to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Ability to perform heavy lifting up to 10 kg.
- Preference will be given to those pursuing, or who have completed, a degree in environmental studies, community engagement, or a related field.
Details
The position offers a rate of $18.50 per hour, commensurate with experience, plus related travel expenses.
The candidate will be expected to work approximately 35 hours per week and be willing to commit until the end of the summer.
We are committed to ensuring this position is accessible, inclusive and welcoming, regardless of ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender or identity. We aim to appropriately support diverse forms of experience over specific credentials.
Eligibility
This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. To be eligible, the candidate must:
- be between 15 and 30 years old at the start date
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the job and
- be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
- This includes having a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of their summer job
How to Apply
Please send your cover letter and resume to hr@pollutionprobe.org with the reference Community Engagement Coordinator – London in the subject line. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.