Description

Why Literacy? Work with purpose at United for Literacy.  

Canada’s literacy divide widens daily because so many people lack adequate support. Solving systemic literacy challenges is key to advancing social equity and prosperity across our country. Literacy changes everything. 

United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College) is a national charity that was founded in 1899. We believe literacy is a right, and that every place can be a learning place. Our vision is a Canada in which everyone has the literacy skills they need to achieve their goals at school, at work, and in life. Our mission is to provide local learning support programs that change lives. 

We encourage applications that reflect the diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds we serve at United for Literacy. In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of our organization, we encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.  

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation. 

The opportunity:  

This position is part of the Alberta team and reports to the Regional Manager.  The Community Coordinator works both independently and collaboratively to carry out and promote the work of United for Literacy in the province. This position coordinates, implements, and evaluates volunteer run programs; develops and manages community partnerships; coordinates, delivers and evaluates training to volunteers and community members. The Community Coordinator provides supervision and mentorship to support staff and volunteer tutors. The successful candidate will work from a home office and at local elementary schools, making regular visits to project sites and community partner meetings. 

Your main responsibilities and major duties: 

1) Program performance and compliance (50%)  

• Develop, implement, and evaluate community partnerships and programs that reflect organizational best practices.  
• Customize programming to partner context and learner needs.  
• Coordinate resources required to ensure program effectiveness. 
• Manage volunteers in accordance with organizational policies.  
• Deliver according to annual work plan, funder commitments, and budget.  

2) People management (30%)  

• Recruit, select and develop an effective team of staff, volunteer organizational team, and tutoring resources.  
• Coordinate and manage staff and volunteers by communicating job expectations, planning for, monitoring, and evaluating performance outcomes.  
• Provide tutor training tailored to program-type and learner needs.  
• Influence performance levels through ongoing coaching and feedback, while enforcing organizational values, policies and practices.  

3) Professional development (10%)  

• Coordinate and evaluate community-based conferences that provide literacy related professional development to partners and other stakeholders  
• Design, deliver and evaluate literacy related workshops for staff and volunteers of partner organizations, other community stakeholders, parents, and learners.  

4) Relationship management (10%)  

• Build, manage and sustain external/internal relationships necessary to support organizational goals by liaising effectively with partners, volunteers, learners, management team and supporters, attending and contributing at meetings, and accurately representing the needs and interests of the organization. 

Skills, Attributes and Requirements 

• Knowledge and understanding of the community, program planning and evaluation, partnership development and sustainability, volunteer management, relevant socio-economic issues, and trends 
• Experience working with children and adults in an educational setting, with learners at a low to intermediate reading level 
• Excellent communication skills; confidence to speak in front of diverse groups of varying sizes 
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating adaptability, critical thinking, time management, and problem solving   
• Self-directed and able to accomplish goals with minimal supervision and as part of a team 
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail 
• PC Proficiency (MS Office Suite) 
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle 
• A current Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen (or be willing to obtain it prior to the start of employment) 

Additional Assets 

• Experience with travel to and/or working in remote locations such as Indigenous communities 
• Welcoming, confident, and friendly manner, with excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills.  
• Experience delivering training material and fostering a vibrant, inclusive learning environment  
• Highly committed and organized multi-tasker, with exceptional attention to detail 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects  
• Possess passion for literacy, essential skills, and cultural diversity 

Working with United for Literacy  

• Salary:  $49,367 - $52,367 annually  
• Hours of Work: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday (some evening and weekend hours may be required) 

In addition to your salary, you will benefit from:  

Paid time off:  

• 15 vacation days per calendar year, pro-rated  
• Plus: paid time off during our seasonal closure between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day  
• Plus: half-days off before some long weekends (start your long weekend early!)  
• Plus: generous and compassionate wellness time allowance, and a “floating day” for personal/cultural events  

 

• Flexible work hours, remote work options (in consultation with your supervisor)  
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package after probationary period  
• Employer-matched contribution to defined contribution pension plan. Eligible to enroll after one year of employment 
• A work environment that seeks to be open, inclusive, and fun  
• Staff-led groups and committees include, among others: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); Green Team; Internal Skills Development; and more 
• Connect with your colleagues from coast to coast to coast for team-wide trainings and learning 

Ready to join our team? Please email your cover letter and resume to:  
JoAnne Hartigan, Regional Manager - Alberta 
[email protected] 
Subject Line: Community Coordinator – [Name] 

No phone calls, please. You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview. 
For more information about United for Literacy visit www.unitedforliteracy.ca  

We welcome applications from individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. We are committed to integration and maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation. We invite applicants to request accommodation, as required, throughout the application and hiring process.