Community engagement, communications & events

Position: Community Coordinator
Organization: Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Location: Victoria, BC

We acknowledge the lək ̓ʷəŋən-speaking Peoples (Songhees and Esquimalt/Kosapsum) on whose territory the Nature Sanctuary stands, and the lək ̓ʷəŋən-speaking and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples — including the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) — whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

We respect the vital relationships of First Peoples with these lands and waters for countless generations. We are honoured to receive Indigenous guidance and welcome collaboration in stewardship and appreciation of the Nature Sanctuary.

Join our team to advance local urban nature stewardship, restoration, learning and community impact!

As the ‘Community Coordinator’ at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary you will be an essential part of our community engagement work. This position serves as the primary point person for organizing and overseeing events and communications, as well as helps to build and maintain relationships with Indigenous community partners, members, donors, visitors, and other stakeholders. Working within a matrix environment – that is, with collaborative leads for our differing initiatives, the Community Coordinator will ensure successful event delivery, through effective planning, balanced budgeting, and awareness about community. The Community Coordinator will also work with the Executive Director to raise our annual donor gift work and sponsorship campaigns. As with each member of our team, the Community Coordinator will further support the organization’s goals as outlined in our Strategic Plan, linked at the following URL.

This position is a good fit for you if you are interested in working in the non-profit, environmental, or community engagement sectors. You are well-organized, can follow directions to work independently, and are accountable for producing high-quality work to support the team. As this is a community-facing role, having a personable demeanour, using diplomacy and being attentive to detail are essential, along with the ability to multi-task, and manage the unexpected with a flexible and forward-thinking attitude. Key to this position are also strong project management skills and a can-do willingness to support events in all aspects - from welcoming esteemed guests, to helping to sweep up after the party is over. You are excellent in your ability to relay tasks and information to others, and able to take initiative and step in if any gaps or last-minute needs arise. To be successful in this role, you are efficient and cost-conscious when finding suppliers, sourcing materials, and allocating both your own and others' time.

About Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary:

The Society is a charitable, non−profit organization responsible for the care of the trails, infrastructure, lands and waters of the nearly 170 acres that is the Nature Sanctuary. Since 1975, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society has served as a meaningful community hub for people of all ages to connect with nature and with one another through hands-on educational programs and ecological restoration opportunities.

The Nature Sanctuary lands are owned by the District of Saanich, except for two small parcels that are Nature Trust BC Lands. The lands are governed by the Board of Directors of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, a non-profit and Registered Charity organization, under the terms of a Land Management Agreement between the Society and the District of Saanich.

Read more about the Nature Sanctuary by navigating the links at the following URL and our conservation, restoration and education goals as outlined in our Strategic Plan, linked at the following URL.

Specifications:

• One position available in-person, on site in Victoria, BC with base hourly rate of $24.00/h.

• Part time 21 hours/week, one year contract, with the possibility of extension and increased hours/week and/or compensation dependent on successful fundraising abilities.
• Probationary review at three months.
• Work schedule to be determined with successful candidate. Working hours are typically held between Monday – Friday 8:30-4:00; with a half-hour unpaid lunch, and some flexibility required for special events.
• Our benefits include: 12 observed paid statutory holidays with optional unpaid time off during closure period in winter, 4% vacation pay, and, after successful completion of the probation period - paid personal time, 5 paid sick days, and a 10% cash benefits allowance (equals an additional $2.40/compensated hour) that may be used towards a self-funded health coverage plan or for other purposes at the employee’s discretion.

Duties:

Events & Gatherings (30%)

• Act as point person for five large, well-established events staggered throughout the year (Native Plant Sale, Spring & Winter Craft Sales, AGM, Volunteer Appreciation), 2-3 small-scale monthly events, and in a supporting role for other community engagements.
• Identify, plan, coordinate, and execute events from concept through to completion.
• Develop and manage comprehensive event plans, timelines, and logistics to ensure smooth execution, including such features as scheduling, setup, teardown, catering, audiovisual needs, and supplies.
• Develop and manage event budgets with oversight from the Operations Manager, along with timely payments and reconciliations.
• Provide on-site oversight and support during event delivery to ensure all logistics and quality standards are met. This could include evenings and weekend events, and several back-to-back days of work.
• Develop and manage event registration processes, guest lists, and attendee communications.
• Ensure a consistently high standard of quality and participant experience.
• Conduct post-event debriefs and ensure follow-up actions are completed.
• Attend occasional off-site events and support community outreach.

Fundraising (25%)

• Research and develop donor strategy both individually and in collaboration with colleagues and the Executive Director.

• Create inspirational communications for donor gifts, sponsorships, reports, documents and funding proposals with clear graphics and other visual assets.
• Act as the point-person for sponsorship coordination under the direction of the Executive Director.
• Achieve financial fundraising goals as agreed upon in discussion with the Executive Director.

Communications & Marketing (25%)

• Research, strategize, create, and publish social media, website, e-newsletter, and print materials aligned with our organizational brand standards and messaging.

• Oversee creation of promotional materials, invitations, and outreach to drive event participation and engagement.
• Regularly connect with team members to understand communications needs and co-create and maintain communications calendar and workflows across the organization to ensure effective and efficient distribution of materials internally and to external communities.
• Assist with metrics and analysis for internal and external communications.
• Maintain proactive communications with internal teams, and any partners, collaborators, and participants.
• Build and maintain relationships with community and partner organizations.
• Develop and deliver outcomes reports for major initiatives, highlighting participation, engagement, storytelling, impact, and key results.

Administration & Commitment to Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Collaborate along with all team members to maintain cleanliness and safety of all building areas as well as the overall site and trails.

• Engage in all aspects of the organization’s risk management, safety procedures, and protocols.

• Track and analyze data to inform planning, budgeting, and engagement strategies, and use insights to recommend process improvements.
• Track activity attendance, engagement, and participant feedback for internal reporting.
• Track expenses, invoices, and ensure time and budgetary expectations and reporting requirements are met.
• Proactively contribute to documentation needed for organizational continuity, fully participating in the development and maintenance of shared management systems and tools (e.g. tracking spreadsheets).
• Ensure careful record-keeping for time-tracking and payroll software data entry.
• Maintain composure and professionalism while using forward-thinking problem solving as any challenges or stressors arise.
• Approach projects and time at work professionally, understanding the need to represent the values of the organization in one’s daily approach to task completion.
• Maintain openness and capacity for dialogue around feedback and coaching.
• Maintain tidy, organized work area, with respect for tools and all property.
• Fully participate in daily work to create a welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors, staff colleagues, and volunteers.
• Align project priorities and work commitments with requests for time off.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of this work; however, the list is not exhaustive and other duties and responsibilities will occur. The Nature Sanctuary retains the right to amend responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated awareness and alignment with our organization’s structure, values, mission, vision and strategic plan goals (URLs embedded) to be reviewed during the interview process.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. communications, public relations), or equivalent in skills and experience.
• Highly developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with compelling ability to engage audiences (specifically in English) with keen attention to clarity, grammar, and spelling.
• Proven experience in planning and coordinating >50 person events and developing and managing budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Proven experience in successful fundraising at scale (single gifts or initiatives >$10K).
• Proven experience with marketing and communications initiatives (print, web and social media) and ability to connect with multiple, diverse audiences.
• Comfortable and experienced using PC computers, including modern communications and collaborative computing programs, and applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Zoom), as well as proficiency with graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud applications), website editing (WordPress or similar), and project management tools.
• Professional attitude with ability to demonstrate patience and empathy when working with Nature Sanctuary staff, volunteers, and others encountered in the course of work, including tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated abilities to be creative, resourceful, and proactive.
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage time, with a track record of coordinating multiple events and balancing competing priorities.
• Class 5 driver’s license and reliable transportation with ability to get to events, including transporting, and the physical ability to set up/take down exhibition materials.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check for vulnerable populations upon hiring (the fee for which will be reimbursed for the successful applicant).

Assets

• Anti-oppression training or skills
• Experience working in the non-profit setting
• Fluent in written French

Some additional benefits to this position:

• Skills training and professional development opportunities
• Extraordinary on-the-job peer and mentor guidance
• An inclusive work environment surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings
• Teamwork and support within a strong, diverse community of over 300 active and engaged volunteers

Eligibility

The above job description represents generally what we are seeking for this position. If you find either this position or our workplace of interest, please consider applying.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society is committed to creating mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. We strive to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and understanding. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a community-focused organization. We are committed to building a diverse staff and will be hiring through an equity lens.

We centre human dignity and growing our connections to each other and to our environment. We believe that each of us is responsible for addressing discrimination and that we co-create peace and good relationships as a daily practice.

To learn more about our workplace and possible accommodations, please email Dr. Cara Gibson – cgibson [at] swanlake.bc.ca

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter demonstrating your experience as it relates to the job requirements to Dr. Cara Gibson – cgibson [at] swanlake.bc.ca . Use the position title as the subject line and attach a single PDF file that includes your one-page cover letter, your resume, and two references (email addresses and phone numbers). Please name the PDF file with your first and last name (e.g. JesseSingh.pdf).

Your cover letter should express why you are interested in this position and clearly outline how you are qualified.

Application deadline: Dec 23, 2025. Please apply as soon as possible for consideration.

Interviews anticipated to begin: Jan 5, 2026. Position anticipated to begin: January 12, 2026

We are grateful to all applicants, however, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the size of our staff team, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are unable to provide feedback or career coaching but refer people to the following provincial resources and other local resources [URLs embedded].

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.