Program Coordinator

Are you passionate about building community through food, learning, and meaningful connections? Do you believe that good food has the power to restore dignity, build skills, and create lasting change? Are you a natural coordinator who thrives on bringing people together and supporting others to grow, lead, and thrive? If this sounds like you, keep reading, you might be the next Program Coordinator at The Alex Community Food Centre!

What We Do

Since , The Alex has been a community-based, not-for-profit organization providing integrated primary health care, community support services, and housing-focused programs to individuals and families who experience barriers to accessing traditional health, housing, and social service systems. Services are grounded in principles of health equity, low-barrier access, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, harm reduction, and person-centered care.

The Alex Community Food Centre (CFC) is a welcoming place for people to come together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food for all. The CFC provides people with access to high-quality food in a dignified settingthrough healthy meals, an affordableproducemarket, and integrated and responsive programming.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Coordinator coordinates all aspects of the Alex CFC’s volunteer program, facilitates foundational learning, and food and garden skills programming. The Program Coordinator utilizes a community development approach that empowers community members to build their capacity and leadership skills through meaningful volunteer opportunities, develop foundational learning skills for life, and increase knowledge and skills that lead to healthy food preparation and consumption.

This is a permanent, full-time position.

What You Will Do

Volunteer Coordination

• Coordinate all elements of the Alex CFC’s volunteer management plan, including recruitment, intake, orientation, placement, recognition, evaluation, and ongoing support.
• Revise and update the volunteer management plan, position descriptions, training manuals and safety protocols as required.
• Collaborate with staff to identify and develop new and innovative volunteer roles.
• Support volunteers with effective training, ongoing support, build their capacity and achieve performance milestones.
• Work closely with The Alex Volunteer & Learning Experience Coordinator to ensure alignment with the organization’s policies and explore practicum opportunities.
• Partner with the Fund Development team to facilitate dynamic corporate group volunteer opportunities at the CFC.

Program Coordination

• Design, develop and deliver creative programs that fall within the scope of the CFC’s strategic goals, with a focus on capacity building opportunities.
• Collaborate with CFC staff to create and implement food or garden skills programs as required.

General

• Contribute to daily team operations by assisting volunteers, engaging community members during drop-in programs, responding to critical incidents, and collaborating with team members on program delivery as needed.
• Network with other agencies and individuals to offer programs and services in conjunction with other CFC programs.
• Participate in broader activities at the CFC: planning, evaluation, fundraising and public relations, communications, special events and team activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a related field of study (culinary, nutrition, social work, community development).
• 3 years of experience with program development, group facilitation, community outreach is preferred; ideally around healthy food skills or food systems.
• Experience working with volunteers and supervisory skills an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to move people from knowledge to action; ability to inspire, teach, and empower community members to engage in positive change.
• Excellent group facilitation, interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized people and people of diverse cultures and abilities in a community-based setting.
• Ability to speak a second language relevant to the Greater Forest Lawn neighborhood is an asset.
• Arts and/or culinary background is an asset.
• Minimum of 21 years of age and three years of driving experience is required to drive an Alex fleet vehicle.
• Class 5 driver’s license and a clean 3-year drivers abstract are required.
• Experience creating accessible digital content and infographics (e.g. program posters and materials, training manuals) using Canva Pro is an asset.
• Standard First Aid – Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire date, certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire.
• Satisfactory vulnerable sector police clearance and child welfare intervention check are required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is preferred.

Work Environment and Hours

• The Alex Community Food Centre: 17 Ave SE, Calgary, AB.
• Standard Hours are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; Flexible hours, which include weekdays, evenings and weekends, are required.
• 1.0 FTE (37.5 hrs/week).
• Community-based setting working with marginalized populations experiencing barriers to community life.
• Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking.
• Occasional physical action requires the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel/crawl, and carry objects (up to 20 lbs.) throughout shift.

What We Offer:

Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include:

• 3-weeks’ vacation
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Health / Wellness Spending Accounts
• RRSP and/or Student Loan Repayment Program and/or Mortgage Repayment Accelerator Program (up to 5% match)
• Personal Days
• Floating Holiday
• Sick/Wellness Days
• Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
• Professional Development

Driving on Behalf of The Alex

This position requires the driving of an Alex fleet vehicle. Successful candidates must show proof of a class 5 driver's license and a clean 3-year drivers abstract. Candidates must consent to the possibility of an annual driver's abstract review to meet our insurance provider’s requirements. Driving a fleet vehicle at The Alex requires that staff are at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years’ driving experience. Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with the CRA guidelines.