Job Opportunity: Volunteer Coordinator

The Powell Street Festival Society’s (PSFS) mission is to cultivate Japanese Canadian art and culture to connect communities. The main activity is producing the Powell Street Festival (PSF), an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, music and culture in Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood, Paueru Gai in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). With the support of over 250 volunteers, this two-day free event is the largest of its kind in Canada and the longest running festival in Metro Vancouver, entering its 47th year. PSFS is a non-profit professional arts presenter that is progressive, diverse, contemporary, and compelling. 

Position Details: Volunteer Coordinator

Powell Street Festival Society seeks a dedicated team player for the position of Volunteer Coordinator for the 47th Annual Powell Street Festival.  This temporary position is a full-time position (35 hr/week) and will start on May 8 and end August 18, 2023. 

Working with the PSFS staff, Board of Directors and Festival Core Committee, the Volunteer Coordinator will work independently and collaboratively on the festival production. The position will require working from home, in an office, and at the festival site location.  

Duties include: 

• assist with online and in-person society events  
• support live events in the Powell Street neighbourhood 
• outreach to new sources of volunteers 
• schedule volunteers 
• coordinate the efficient delivery of a complex volunteer schedule during the set-up, take-down and actual Festival weekend  
• participate in the Cultural Worker Training Program and staff meetings 
• assist with the maintenance of the volunteer database and online application process 
• organize and lead volunteer orientation sessions 
• work with the Operations Manager to plan the volunteer appreciation party 
• solicit donations for volunteers 
• participate in day-to-day administrative work  
• necessary post-festival wrap-up 

During a set period between July 15 and August 11, 2023, the Volunteer Coordinator and Operations Manager will work out an averaging agreement. During this period, the Volunteer Coordinator will work 160 hours, averaging out to 4 weeks of full-time work (averaging 40 hours per week). Wages will be paid out based upon 40-hour work week. Overtime will be paid if the Volunteer Coordinator works more than the specified hours in the agreed schedule between July 15 and August 11, 2023. The Volunteer Coordinator is required to discuss with the Employer should they anticipate overtime will be required. 

Please note that this position will also require some manual labour. 

The Volunteer Coordinator reports to the Operations Manager. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has the following skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to handle a multifaceted group of dedicated volunteers.  
• The ability to work calmly under pressure. 
• Experience with volunteer-run organizations. 
• Exceptional organizational skills.  
• Must be creative and resourceful and be able to assess and handle difficult situations. 
• Working knowledge of Japanese or other Asian languages is an asset, and/or experience working with non-native English language speakers.  
• Specific experience with, or knowledge of, the national and local Asian Canadian arts scenes, the mainstream arts community, and of the operations of non-profit societies is also desirable.  
• First aid training is an asset.  
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is an asset.   
• Familiar and comfortable working in the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood in which the Festival has been held for over 40 years.  
• Must have a flexible schedule and able to work some evenings and weekends, including attending committee meetings as needed. Must be available from July 29 to August 11, 2023. 

Application Instructions

The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm, Friday, March 31, 2023. 

Applications will be accepted by email only. Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs[at]powellstreetfestival.com, and include “Volunteer Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls please. 

Powell Street Festival Society thanks all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Wage is commensurate with experience: $20.00-$24.90/hour