Job Posting: Community Engagement Coordinator (Part-Time)
Ontario Public Interest Research Group of Peterborough (OPIRG Peterborough)
APPLICATION DUE BY AUGUST 31, 2026 at 12PM
Location: 751 George St N, 103, Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) ON
Position: 20 hours/week, Permanent
Salary: $28.62/hour + Health & Dental Benefits
Website: www.opirgpeterborough.ca
Unionized Position: CUPE Local 1281
Work: Hybrid (2 days in person/week)
Start Date: October 1, 2026
About OPIRG Peterborough
OPIRG works to create and sustain student and community-based engagement through
research, education and action on social justice and environmental issues. OPIRG
Peterborough employs consensus decision-making processes and endeavors to foster a non-hierarchical and anti-oppressive working environment.
OPIRG Peterborough organizes events and campaigns, as well as supports initiatives that address intersecting social and environmental issues, locally and beyond. We support grassroots action groups and community-based research and offer meaningful opportunities for involvement through volunteering and through joining the Board of Directors. OPIRG Peterborough is funded through a Trent University undergraduate student levy and community memberships. While we are associated with Trent University and Trent students, we are a fully autonomous, non-profit organization. We work collaboratively with students and community members to advance decolonization, transformative justice, and systemic change.
Equity Statement
OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites Black, Indigenous and racialized people, poor and working class people and those on social assistance, women, Intersex people, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and queer people; transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people, Two-spirit people; single parents, members of ethnic minorities, newcomers and immigrants, people from non-academic backgrounds and disabled, chronically ill or neurodiverse people, people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related illnesses, people with experiences of incarceration and/or records of offences except where it relates to bona-fide employment qualifications, people involved in or with experiences in sex work to apply.
We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they would bring to the OPIRG organization in their cover letter. All applicants must provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression.
About the Role
The OPIRG Peterborough Community Engagement Coordinator position is a part-time position.
This position is 20 hours per week. Candidates must be able to work flexible hours including some evenings and occasional weekends for meetings and events. Work time allocated in each of the areas of the Coordinator's responsibility will vary greatly depending on the time of the year and the term. Develop and facilitate a community education program focused on OPIRG’s priorities, and one that focuses our limited resources in the most effective way. This may include the provision of workshops, seminars, and training to community groups who have been designated at high priority for these education programs. Participate in other OPIRG programming to assist in meeting OPIRG’s anti-oppression / anti-racism goals as required and/or appropriate.
Communications:
Co-ordinate opportunities for volunteers, staff, and board to participate in public engagement in ways that are consistent with the overall Community Activism/Education and Volunteer Programming annual work plan.
Employment Terms
This position begins Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026, with a pay rate of $29.08/hour, plus health and dental benefits. This is a unionized position under CUPE Local 1281, with a six-month probationary period. There is a wheelchair lift in the building (Sadleir House), but we regret that the second and third floors of the building are not currently wheelchair accessible.
The Role of Permanent Staff
Due to the high number of student volunteers, OPIRG Peterborough experiences high volunteer turnover; therefore permanent staff provides a much-needed continuity and stability in this ever changing organization. The Community Engagement Coordinator is accountable to the Board of Directors of OPIRG Peterborough, reports to them, and works with them to carry out critical basic tasks that maintain the integrity of the organization. The Community Engagement Coordinator also works cooperatively with the Office Administration and Programming Coordinator, part-time staff, and volunteers. The work environment has little day-to-day supervision.
Responsibilities
Staff Coordination
- Participate in the hiring, orientation, training, and supporting student staff in collaboration with the Board and other staff, where appropriate, while primary HR responsibilities remain with the Office Administration and Programming Coordinator.
- Provide supervision, guidance, and support to student staff as required and/or as directed by the Board.
Volunteers Coordination
- Provide support and maintain ongoing communication with volunteers (including working groups, coop students/interns, and others) in collaboration with the Board.
- Supervise placement student(s) in partnership with Trent University or other community institutions and organizations when relevant and capacity allows.
- Recruit, orient, train, support, and supervise volunteers regarding programming, including the Free Market, Green Dishes, and other program initiatives.
- Provide support and maintain ongoing communication with volunteers (including working groups, co-op students/interns, and others) in collaboration with the Board.
- Help the board organize an annual volunteer and staff appreciation.
- Supervise placement student(s) in partnership with Trent University or other community institutions and organizations.
Communications and Office Administration
The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the Board and staff to:
- Maintain regular office hours and ensure a welcoming, accessible environment for students and community members.
- Manage day-to-day communication channels, including email, phone, and mail.
Projects
The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the board and staff to develop, implement, and evaluate organizational projects, events, and campaigns.
- Prepare a draft budget for areas related to the Community Engagement position and submit to the Coordinator of Program and Office Coordinator by June 30 annually.
- Co-ordinate, review and approve all expenditures related to the annual approved budget for the program.
- Submit all requests approved for reimbursement/payment within the bi-weekly check/reimbursement cycle using appropriate check requisition and/or OPIRG approved forms.
- Undertake grant writing proposals and administration in relation to approved work plan and program area activities.
- Create and distribute promotional materials (including graphics for social media, pamphlets, and posters).
- Write press releases and work with local media.
- Support the use and maintenance of the Button Press and supplies.
- Develop and implement methods of collecting feedback and evaluation.
Networking & Organizing
The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with the Board, staff, and volunteers to:
- Establish and maintain good working partnerships with other organizations/activists in the local community and at Trent University.
- Maintain good relations with our community partners.
- Collaborate with other organizations on campus and in the community to plan events and campaigns and participate in coalition and solidarity work, based on OPIRG priorities.
- Maintain and improve the visibility of OPIRG on campus, in the community, and online in collaboration with the staff and board.
- Develop and implement strategies to communicate with the wider Peterborough and Trent communities in order to involve them within OPIRG’s activities, as well as to heighten the profile of OPIRG in the local community.
- Liaise with representatives of other related agencies to communicate information, resolve problems and develop partnership opportunities for outreach.
- Develop and deliver workshops, training, education opportunities and networking events including but not limited to consensus, facilitation, anti-oppression, decolonization, etc.
- Facilitate student organizing on social and environmental justice issues within the Trent community.
- Collaborate with the Office Administration & Programming Coordinator and the DisOrientation Week Organizer to coordinate the annual DisOrientation Week.
- Participate in conflict resolution as necessary
Qualifications
Education and Work Experience
- A post-secondary degree in community development, international studies or related field OR equivalent experience.
- A minimum of 2 years employment experience within a non-profit organization.
- Knowledge, expertise and experience in community activism/engagement.
Essential Knowledge and Values
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to decolonization and anti-oppression theory, as well as a developed analysis of the political, social and legal aspects of oppression.
- Understanding of and experience with consensus-based decision-making.
- Interest in and understanding of social and environmental justice issues.
Communication and Collaboration Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (fluency and excellent skills in using the English language are essential in order to function effectively in the campus and Peterborough communities and to be able to deliver the services and programs as required). Knowledge and ability to communicate in other languages is an asset.
- Excellent interpersonal skills (sensitivity to others, ability to work respectfully and cooperatively within a diverse group of people).
- Ability to effectively and confidently represent the organization in a variety of public forums.
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy.
- Willingness to act as a resource and mentor to others in the organization
- Ability to resolve conflict constructively and appropriately.
- Good understanding of group dynamics and commitment to working towards the achievement of shared goals.
Computer Skills
- Proficiency and skills with various media and a range of information and communication technologies (computer software, internet, social media, etc.).
- Experience designing promotional/public education materials using design software.
- Proficiency using software : Canva, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Teams, as well as social media platforms
Coordination and Organizational Skills
- Proven ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously within an unstructured and unsupervised work environment.
- Ability to locate, gather and organize information using appropriate technology and information systems (filing)
- Proven ability to think strategically, especially in relation to budgeting and planning
- Experience and expertise in coordinating a large number of projects and events.
- Skills in program and policy development (including planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation)
Complex problem-solving abilities
- Must be highly motivated and self-directed with exemplary organizational, administrative and time management skills.
- Proven ability to network with different stakeholders (i.e. University administration, professors, community, staff, and Board of Directors).
Experiential Assets
- Experience working with a volunteer Board of Directors, an OPIRG, or a similar non profit organization
- Experience working with post-secondary students and/or youth approximately 19-25 yrs of age
- Knowledge of Trent University campus and local NGOs, social and environmental organizations, and community organizations an asset.
- Experience with facilitation of engaging adult education workshops
Application Process
Interested applicants should deliver a resume, cover letter, a minimum of three
references (with phone numbers and email addresses) and a one-page essay that
addresses any of the following topics:
a) the relevance of anti-oppression work to social change organizations;
b) the most pressing issues facing our communities today;
c) the role of public interest research in society, or;
d) the role of students in social change;
Applications should be sent as a single PDF document, with “Community Engagement
Coordinator Application” as the document title along with the applicant’s name. “OPIRG
Peterborough Coordinator Position” must be in the subject line as well. Applications must be sent to [email protected] by August 31 at 12noon.
No phone calls, please. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For
more info: www.opirgpeterborough.ca
Pay: From $29.08 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Have you read to the end of the job description and reviewed the application process requirements?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Peterborough, ON K9H 7P5
