The London Environmental Network (LEN) is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist. If you are passionate about promoting environmental projects online and in the community, this is the role for you! Click here to view the job posting in pdf format. 

Job Title: Community Engagement Specialist

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements in accordance with the Eco Canada funding program:

  • Must be aged between 15-30 (inclusive)
  • Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or be a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations

Location: London, ON. Candidates must reside in London. This position requires a combination of in-person and remote work. Evenings and weekend work will be required on occasion. Reliable access to a vehicle is required for travel to various job responsibilities within London.

Remuneration: $25/hour for 35 hours/week. 12-month contract, with possibility for extension.

Start Date: Ideal start June 19, 2023. 

Benefits include: $1,500 annual health spending account, 3 weeks paid vacation, 2 wellness days, and $50/month stipend for phone and internet usage.

Position Details:
The Community Engagement Specialist will be working on the development and delivery of our digital communications strategy and our community partnerships. In this role, the main focus is to communicate our objectives, engage our supporters, and grow our online audience to create positive environmental change. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with team members, volunteers, and community partners to identify opportunities to promote and scale up our programming.

The Organization:
The London Environmental Network (LEN) is a registered environmental charity in London, ON that aims to create a green, sustainable, and more resilient city. The LEN works to connect and engage individuals, nonprofits, and businesses in the community to reduce their environmental impacts. This is achieved through environmental programming and service offerings including Greener Homes London, Green Economy London, Environmental Action Incubator, and more. The LEN also works to raise the profile of the environmental non-profit sector to attract and engage Londoners in growing a healthy, sustainable city. 

The Overview:

  • You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering our communications strategy, which includes curating environmental content for social media channels, newsletters, website content, and promotional materials. You will also be responsible for monitoring progress towards targets identified in our strategic plan.
  • You’ll be responsible for developing and stewarding involvement and engagement opportunities for community partners - including schools boards, municipal government, small-medium sized local businesses, and like-minded organizations. Examples of this are seeking event sponsorships, grant writing for environmental projects, delivering on sponsorship benefits to stakeholders, and creating original opportunities for organizations to support our programs like Greener Homes London, Green Economy London, and Depave Paradise.
  • You’ll be responsible for attending networking events and working toward our organizational sponsorship and strategic partnership and business development goals.
  • You will be the staff lead for fundraising campaign development and communications.

Preferable Experience and Skills:
Preference will be given to candidates that have the following experience and skills:

  • Previous education or interest in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) and/or environmental sciences is desirable.
  • Experienced in social media platforms and graphic design software, such as Canva.
  • Experience in public speaking, community engagement, sales, or customer service is desirable.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both written and oral, to engage new audiences.
  • Ability to work collaboratively on a team and independently to find solutions and meet deliverables.

The Details:
Responsibilities of the Community Engagement Specialist will include:

Communications (50%)

  • Maintain regular social media engagement on LEN’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) by creating informative and creative post content as well as interacting with other accounts online.
  • Maintain regular social media engagement on GEL’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) by creating informative and creative post content as well as interacting with other accounts online.
  • Design, content development and implementation of LEN’s monthly e-newsletter for Londoners to engage them on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities in the environmental community.
  • Work with program coordinators to ensure that program opportunities and environmental impacts are being regularly communicated to our audiences on our website and social media (promoting Home Checkups, Depave Paradise site transformations, etc.).
  • Execute and enhance our existing digital communications strategy as needed, monitoring progress towards goals identified in our strategic plan.
  • Design of promotional materials (flyers, brochures, graphics), event invitations, surveys, and other communications materials for online platforms as required

Community Partnerships (30%)

  • Identify new community partnerships that align with our environmental programming objectives. Examples of this are seeking event sponsorships, grant writing for environmental projects, and creating original opportunities for organizations to support our programs in the community (Greener Homes London, Green Economy London, and Depave Paradise, etc.).
  • Attending networking and community events to strengthen our strategic partnerships and support our business development goals.
  • Assist with coordinating aspects of community engagement events as instructed by Directors. For example, creating registration links and promotions for webinars or events hosted in partnership with network members.
  • Maintain relationships with existing community partners and sponsors, including regular communications/updates on programming, completing sponsorship and grant recognition requirements, and reporting to partners.
  • Track sponsorship and grant recognition deliverables, ensuring we are meeting targets identified in our strategic plan.
  • Develop and execute our fundraising activities and communications annually. This includes small-medium sized fundraising events and donation campaigns to solicit and engage new donors.
  • Act as the staff liason to our Fundraising Committee, directing them on fundraising goals and ensuring they have the tools and resources to execute on committee-level fundraising responsibilities.

Administration (20%)

  • Creating a procedural manual for the role and templates to set the organization up for success.
  • Maintaining a weekly log of activities and achievements.
  • Performing other similar and related activities as required.
  • Reporting project progress to the Supervisor in a timely manner.

Supervision and Mentoring Plan:
The Community Engagement Specialist will report directly to the Director of Operations (the “Supervisor”) at the LEN. Orientation to the LEN and the position will be provided at the beginning of the position and will include an overview of the LEN organizational structure, mandate, policies, procedures and properties.

Project training and supervision will be provided by the Supervisor who will communicate the specific goals, tasks and expectations of individual projects. The Community Engagement Specialist will work with the Supervisor directly most days and be in contact on a daily basis when working independently.

The Supervisor will meet with the Community Engagement Specialist once per week to review progress on projects, update work plans accordingly, and discuss new ideas and challenges.  They will be supported with opportunities for continued learning and professional development throughout their contract term.

London Environmental Network is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, members, subcontractors, and vendors in all our activities and operations, regardless of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), dis/ability, marital status, or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from persons with disabilities and will provide accommodations during all stages of the hiring process, upon request. 

How to Apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume to Marianne Griffith at [email protected] with the subject line “Community Engagement Specialist”. Applications are due Wednesday, May 31st by 5pm. Portfolios or links to past communications projects are welcomed.