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.
United for Literacy respectfully acknowledges it’s Northern Ontario regional office is located on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. Our work also takes place on the traditional territory and the enduring home of the signatory communities of Treaty 3, Treaty 9 and the Ontario portion of Treaty 5.  We acknowledge the history that many nations hold in the region and are committed to a relationship with First Nations, Metis & Inuit Peoples based on the principals of mutual respect, reciprocity, and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation.

The Opportunity
The Thunder Bay Community Coordinator is primarily responsible for in-person tutoring programs, homework clubs and reading circles for children and youth that we run in partnership with community agencies throughout the city. They will also deliver literacy-related workshops for organizations, parents and tutors. Additionally, they will support the Lieutenant Governor’s Indigenous Summer Reading Camp Program.

Overall Accountability
The Community Coordinator is a member of the Northern Ontario program staff team and works both independently and collaboratively to carry out the work of United for Literacy. This position reports to the Regional Manager for Northern Ontario

Your Main Responsibilities and Major Duties:

• Coordinate, implement, and evaluate volunteer run programs;
• Develop and manage community partnerships;
• Coordinate, deliver, and evaluate training to volunteers and community members; and  
• Provide overall supervision to Interns, Volunteer Tutors, Summer Students, Camp Counsellors, and Placement Students.
• Develop or coordinate resources required to ensure program effectiveness.

• Deliver or supervise delivery at community-based program sites e.g. BGC, Evergreen a United Neighbourhood, Communities Together for Children and others. Recruit, screen, train, and develop an effective team of volunteers and tutoring resources.
• Coordinate and manage Interns and volunteers by communicating job expectations, planning for, monitoring and evaluating performance outcomes.  
• Manage volunteers in accordance with organizational policies.
• Influence performance levels through ongoing coaching and feedback, while enforcing organizational values, policies and practices.

• Develop, implement and evaluate community partnerships and programs that reflect organizational best practices. 
• Customize programming to partner context and learner needs.  
• Represent United for Literacy as organizational member of TBAVA
• Receive and process requests for service inquiries
• Design, deliver and evaluate literacy related workshops for staff and volunteers of partner organizations, other community stakeholders, parents and learners.

• 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.
• Accurately track and report program metrics, testimonials, survey results and program feedback
• Deliver according to annual work plan, funder commitments and budget.

• Knowledge and understanding of community and volunteer programs or equivalent program planning and evaluation, partnerships, volunteer   management, relevant socio-economic issues and trends
• Minimum 2 years experience in related area of work
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Front line children’s program delivery experience
• Energetic, resourceful and self-directed
• Able to work within complexity and uncertainty
• Able to foster and maintain responsive relationships built on trust
• Able to think critically, solve problems and manage details
• Knowledge of online educational programming & non-formal education
• Able to maintain a healthy work/life balance
• Diplomacy, tact and judgement
• Facilitation skills
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities
• Post-secondary education
• PC Proficiency (MS Office Suite)
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle

• Experience delivering or designing program materials
• Familiarity with culturally inclusive practices
• Passion for literacy and community development
• Bilingual English and French
• Canva proficiency

• Flexible work hours, remote work options (in consultation with your supervisor) 
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package after probationary period 
• 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); Internal Skills Development; and more.  
• Connect with your colleagues from coast to coast to coast for team-wide trainings and learning.