Seniors and Climate Response Coordinator

Posting Date:April 17, 2023
Closing Date: May 1, 2023
Starting Date: May 8, 2023 on-going subject to funding (current funding confirmed until March 31, 2024)

Overview:

Are you passionate about building community? Do you value inter-generational connections and are interested in supporting meaningful leadership amongst older adults in our community? Would you like to help grow a community that is prepared to support one another, build resilience and look for long term solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and extreme climate events? Are you a self-starter ready to work collaboratively to develop creative, compassionate, community engaged solutions to the climate realities we face?

The Seniors and Climate Response Coordinator role is an exciting new role focused on meaningful engagement of older adults and other members of Little Mountain/Riley Park Community to mitigate impact of extreme climate events especially for older adults. Older adults, particularly those who are isolated, face higher vulnerability during these events, especially when they face systemic barriers because of identity and/or lack of economic resources. The role includes coordinating the seniors-focused Strengthening Social connections project as well as integrating an emergency preparedness lens. A key function of this role will be to convene community members/organizations to build a stronger, more inclusive neighbourhood, where the leadership of older adults is valued and anti-ageism and DEI approaches inform the work. This position reports directly to the Settlement and Seniors Manager and works with a small part-time team to realize the goals of the project. This position works primarily in community, at the neighbourhood house and from your home office.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with the Community Engagement Coordinator, Communications and Volunteer Coordinator, members of the settlement team and the part-time Seniors Worker to implement activities and achieve outcomes outlined in the Little Mountain Emergency Preparedness and Strengthening Social Connections Project.
Hire, support and supervise a new part-time Seniors Worker position.
Develop networks, systems and resources to support further development and implementation of the Little Mountain/Riley Park climate response plan.
Co-ordinate with the current Seniors Advisory to plan and implement a Seniors Forum to better understand the assets, gifts and needs of older adults living in the LMNHS/Riley Park community.
Hire and support consultants and volunteers to design and implement train-the-trainers modules, to support outreach and self-run activities for older adults living in the community.
Support and lead staffing/volunteer planning circles, as needed, to co-design and implement activities to support a more effective community climate response; follow up with action items.
Support development of a neighbourhood-based climate response team and work closely with other NH staff in responding to any extreme climate events.
Promote activities of the Strengthening Social Connections Project and climate response readiness and education (internally and externally) using various print, PSA, social media, local media, community networks and other promotional avenues.
Build partnerships with other organizations and initiatives working towards mitigating impact of extreme climate events.
Co-ordinate or provide administrative support for community advisory groups (books space, sends out invitations, takes minutes and sends them out), complete reporting as required.
Ensure permits are arranged and regulations are met if required for any events.
Co-ordinate the distribution of climate response resources with LMNHS and support climate response team to do this at a neighbourhood level.
Work within the given budget and account for expenditures.
Support proposal writing and developing a sustainability plan for the project.
Other duties as required as a valued member of the Neighbourhood House team (e.g. attending team training, neighbourhood house events).

Qualifications/Skills:

Experience in working with older adults and commitment to anti-ageism and DEI.
Able to work both independently and collaboratively and manage multiple tasks.
Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and supervision.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in coordinating and hands on roles both with staff and community members.
Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate events as part of a committee or team.
Ability to build collaborative partnerships with external organizations and initiatives.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability/capacity to learn budget management, record keeping and report writing.
Demonstrated ability to work equitably and successfully in a culturally and economically diverse environment.
Additional languages an asset
Knowledge of the LMNHS/Riley park neighbourhood an asset.
Skills in promotion through Social Media an asset.

Payment: $26.89 per hour - 21 hours per week plus 6% vacation pay, 100% employer paid benefits after 6 months.

NOTES: Impacts of extreme heat are not experienced equally throughout Vancouver. Seniors, people with chronic physical and mental health conditions, and people who are socially isolated and living in poverty are just some of the populations whom experienced the most severe impacts. Poor quality housing, overall social and material deprivation, and poor urban tree canopy are risk factors for increased mortality during extreme heat. Certain neighbourhoods in Vancouver were impacted more severely than others. A disproportionate number of emergency room visits originated from the South side neighbourhoods of Vancouver during the 2021 Heat Dome, according to VCH data of emergency room department visits.

APPLICATION DUE by April 26th, 2023 at 5 PM

Please send cover letter and resume by email to Diane dianew@lmnhs.bc.ca