2024 CRUW Program Coordinator - Contractor Opportunity

2024 CRUW Program Coordinator - Contractor Opportunity! 

Contract length: Starting November 2024 for approximately 1 year with possibility of extension.

Hours: 16-28 hours every two weeks

Rate of Pay: $25.00 per hour

The Culturally Relevant Urban Wellness (CRUW) Program was developed in 2011 by a community partnership interested in promoting the use of green space as a source of wellness and concrete skill development for vulnerable youth. The program focuses on Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth involved in the child welfare system. The program is grounded in the Indigenous perspective that we derive wellness and community from relationship and interaction with land and territory. CRUW is based at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS), an urban delegated child welfare agency, and operates in partnership with the Indigenous Research Partnerships, the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and the x?c?ic??s?m Garden at the University of British Columbia – located on traditional x?m??k??y??m Musqueam territory. CRUW encompasses three distinct programming streams, including 1) the core UBC Farm program; 2) the Life Skills and Leadership program; and 3) the Youth Mentor Committee. Collectively, the CRUW program focuses on the objectives of: honouring our diversity, holistic and sustainable urban wellness, emotional and cultural competence, and youth leadership.

The UBC Farm program brings Indigenous youth in care with VACFSS together with other diverse youth involved with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to engage in urban green space. Youth participants spend every second Saturday from April to October at the UBC Farm and x?c?ic??s?m Garden, learning from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, program staff, and other professionals. Youth engage in a variety of activities and workshops in both the garden, around the farm, and indoor settings. Participants are split into three groups, each led and supervised by a Group Leader and Youth Worker. 

Check out the CRUW webpage and accompanying video for more information and context on the program!

Description: the CRUW Coordinator, supervised and supported by the Child and Youth Engagement Worker, is tasked with planning and coordinating the UBC Farm and Life Skills and Leadership (LSL) programming streams. This position entails a wide variety of duties and tasks in preparing for and running these programming streams, including but not limited to: activity and workshop planning for the farm season; farm and facilities logistics, including liaising with UBC staff; staff hiring and youth recruitment; organizing transportation and travel details; engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other workshop presenters and guests; and administrative duties related to purchasing and finances. The CRUW Coordinator supports the onboarding of CRUW staff members and volunteers, including a staff training day, and continues to be the go-to person for CRUW staff/volunteers/Elders.

The CRUW Coordinator is expected to attend every session date and is responsible for supervising staff/volunteers and for ensuring the Farm and LSL sessions run smoothly. This position also includes the planning and facilitation of staff debriefing sessions which occur after each in-person farm day.

Primary Duties:

• Work with the Child and Youth Engagement Worker to plan and facilitate the Lifeskills and Leadership program, including an overnight camping trip at the end of the program
• Work with the Child and Youth Engagement Worker, CRUW Garden Coordinator, and Program Assistant to plan UBC Farm sessions for the farm season
• Participate in hiring staff, youth recruitment, and information sessions alongside the Child and Youth Engagement Worker
• Connect with and schedule Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other workshop presenters for the UBC Farm program season
• Organize and run the UBC Farm program on a bi-weekly basis; engage in supervising and supporting staff/volunteers and troubleshooting
• Organize and facilitate staff/volunteer training, regular debriefs, and end of year wrap up
• Organize and co-facilitate Graduation ceremony at the end of the season
• Keep logs of purchases and program costs; assisting Child and Youth Engagement Worker with administration and finances
• Maintain relationships and youth engagement between CRUW programming streams
• Additional duties and responsibilities necessary for this role and determined by the Child and Youth Engagement Worker

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Strong organization, time-management and flexibility
• Strong capacities and direct experience working with youth - both in group and one-to-one settings
• Knowledge of land and food systems, Indigenous rights, and decolonization efforts
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience working with Indigenous, BIPOC, and/or youth in care 
• Strong capabilities and experience in supervising and supporting staff/volunteers
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
• Experience facilitating workshops and goal setting with youth
• Experience facilitating/supporting outdoor and experiential programming for groups of youth 
• Strong organization, time-management and flexibility
• Knowledge and connection with social services in Vancouver region

Additional Required Education & Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with an undergraduate or graduate degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Education, Health Sciences, Recreation, or related fields
•  Candidates with a diploma in above listed or similar fields with 3+ years of related experience may also be considered
• Preference will be given to Indigenous or other BIPOC candidates
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license with preference of a Valid Class 4 unrestricted licenses
•  Valid First Aid certificate (or a commitment to obtain prior to start date)
• Candidates are required to submit a driving abstract, criminal record check (to be provided by VACFSS) and proof of full vaccination for COVID-19
•  Candidates must be able to work Fridays and Saturdays

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Preference may be given to qualified Indigenous candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code. 

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