Summer Student Jobs Position Community Engagement and Cultural Programming Project Assistant
June 22 - August 28, 2026
Wage Scale: $24-28 per hour
Hours: 28-35 per week based on availability
Location: hybrid in-person and remote work, Quw’utsun territory - Duncan, BC
Applications close June 12th
We are seeking a motivated, adaptable, and community-minded individual to join our team this summer as a Community Engagement and Cultural Programming Project Assistant. This role supports research, community engagement, cultural programming, and project coordination activities. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, eager to learn, comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and has established relationships and trust within the community.
While this position is under Cowichan Social Planning Society, you will be working closely with our sister organisation, Quw'utsun Cultural Connections Society.
Key Responsibilities
- Support research activities, including gathering, organizing, and analyzing information
- Conduct interviews alongside QCCS colleagues, including interviews with Quw’utsun mustimuhw, sul-hween, and knowledge holders
- Assist with interview preparation, documentation, editing
- Support project coordination for: Food Sovereignty and other Project Workshops and Community Events
- Assist with day to day administrative tasks, including preparing agendas for Elders Advisory Committee meetings and supporting internal and external project and communications
- Create communications and promotional materials including posters and other visual materials when required and/or work with the Communications Team
- Use technology such as video equipment and editing software
- Use office software and online software programs (canva, google docs etc) to organize, and support project work
- Participate in team meetings and contribute to collaborative planning
- Assist with public engagement and community outreach
- Support grant writing, report writing, and funding applications as needed
Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate:
- Has a background in, experience with, or strong interest in one or more of the following:
- ○ Land based learning
- ○ Hul’q’umi’num’ language
- ○ Indigenous food sovereignty
- Has experience with event planning; cultural event planning is an asset
- Is a strong relationship builder with excellent interpersonal and networking skills
- Has strong qualitative research and interview skills, including an understanding of ethics protocols and Indigenous research methodologies
- Approaches work through a trauma informed lens
- Is proficient with technology, including video and microsoft programs and online environments (google docs, canva)
- Has excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Is comfortable in public speaking and community engagement
- Has strong organizational and project coordination abilities
- Is able to work independently and as part of a team
- Has a flexible schedule and can adapt to changing project needs
- Demonstrates initiative and a willingness to learn
- Has experience with grant writing
- Demonstrates the ability to build and maintain respectful relationships within Indigenous communities, including existing community connections and cultural awareness
Additional Considerations
- Indigenous applicants and to applicants who are community members within Quw’utsun territory, are encouraged to apply
- Cultural sensitivity training and demonstrated experience working respectfully within Indigenous communities are strong assets
- Pursuant to section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry
- This position is funded under the Federal Canada Summer Student Jobs Funding. To meet program criteria the following must be met:
- Applicants must be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of their summer job
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the job and
- be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
- ○ This includes having a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of their summer job
- Attending school on a full-time basis, returning to school on a full-time basis in the next academic semester, OR recently graduated from full-time academic studies.
Please submit your application by emailing your resume and cover letter, or max 2-minute video clip, to “[email protected]”, by June 12th, 2026.
Pay: $24.00-$28.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Are you located in, or within commuting distance of Duncan, BC?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Duncan, BC V9L 1M8
