This internship is hosted by the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation with funding from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.

About SPEC

The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a charitable organization that promotes practical solutions in the areas of sustainable food systems, zero waste, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and the Elders Circle. Since 1969, they have been empowering communities to take action and build a greener future. They work with individuals, children, and organizations to develop community capacity to address a wide range of sustainability challenges using practical approaches. Learn more at www.spec.bc.ca.

Description

The SPEC Elders Circle is dedicated to supporting engaged Elders to cultivate the qualities and characteristics of a wise leader and forge meaningful roles within society. SPEC equips and enables Elders to share their wisdom, insights and skills within their communities as their legacy for the future, with a focus on climate justice. Through a partnership between SPEC Elders and Suzuki Elders, SPEC formed the Seniors for Climate BC Hub. The BC Hub coordinates a provincial seniors network, recruiting members, organizing events, and sharing educational resources. The Elders Circle Program Coordinator will support the planning & coordination of a project entitled “The Heat is On: Seniors & Climate”.

The goals of this project are to:

• Mobilize seniors around climate justice by organizing events. These events will include a day of climate action during Seniors Week, a 5th anniversary commemoration of the 2021 heat dome, and at least one climate cafe.
• Recruit B.C. seniors to the climate movement and help mobilize cohesive seniors’ voices for a just climate legacy.
• Research the differential impact of climate change on seniors and mitigation measures.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver 3 climate-themed events. Coordinate event logistics, including venue booking, coordination with venue, attendee registration, accessibility considerations, and event set-up and takedown.
• Develop and maintain project work plans and timelines; track project expenses.
• Develop a playbook for Climate Cafe events for local and provincial groups
• Participate in team meetings to maintain awareness about program-wide activities and share progress and results; Provide technical support for online meetings.
• Liaise with SPEC communications to plan and develop program marketing and communication assets and infrastructure, and maintain alignment with SPEC’s brand.

Qualifications

• Experience in event planning and coordination
• Familiarity with accessibility, inclusion, and community-based engagement practices
• Familiarity with google workspace
• Ability to travel to occasional on-site event locations in Vancouver
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to comprehend and interpret work goals
• Interest in environmental issues and urban sustainability
• Appreciation of valuable role seniors can play in society

As this project is funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, eligible applicants must be enrolled – or accepted for enrolment – in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at one of the four PICS partner institutions: UVIC, UBC, SFU or UNBC. Students must either be returning to complete their degree programs following the internship or have completed their programs the semester prior to the start of the internship.

How to Apply

Submit an application via this link.

A cover letter is not required for this role. Instead, SPEC asks applicants to complete a short screening questionnaire focused on relevant skills, experience, and approach to the work. We use this format to make our hiring process more accessible and equitable, and to ensure all applicants are assessed using the same criteria. Point-form responses are welcome and they are not evaluating writing style or polish.

If you require accommodations or would prefer to respond in a different format, please contact SPEC. SPEC believes diverse perspectives strengthen their work and community. They encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, people of all genders and sexual orientations, and individuals with diverse lived experiences.

Accommodations are available upon request at all stages of the hiring process. SPEC understands that the ideal candidate may not meet every requirement listed. If you are enthusiastic about this role and bring relevant skills, lived experience, or transferable strengths, SPEC encourage you to apply.

SPEC conducts work on the unceded lands of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh, who have stewarded these lands and waters since time out of mind. They continually work to recognize the ways in which they individually and as an organization uphold or oppose colonial systems of oppression and how they can do better. With respect, they understand that Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked.