Marketing & Comms | Flavour Trails Events & Communications Assistant - PT

Job Description 

As Events and Communications Assistant you will support several key deliverables of the 2024 Flavour Trails™ Program.  These include tasks related to the planning and delivery of the North Saanich Flavour Trails™ Festival, the Savour Saanich Festival, and other Flavour Trails™ initiatives.

Flavour Trails™ is a long standing community, agricultural, and food literacy program focused on connecting communities and consumers to local food producers and growers. 

Signature events in 2024: Savour Saanich on July 5, 6, and 7, 2024  and  North Saanich Flavour Trails™ Festival on August 17 and 18, 2024). 

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to and execute the event plans; participate in and record/distribute regular team (pod)  plan meetings and supporting minutes;
• Attend farmers markets and other community events to promote Flavour Trails™; 
• Promotions and Marketing: supporting venues with social media support/templates, “trail” assets, including banner flags, posters, Map Pull Out distribution;   
• Engagement/Digital Media Support: Socials content scheduling/updating.

Ideal candidates value flexible, collaborative, creative work environments and are comfortable with both virtual and in person opportunities to create, connect and engage with the community.

Qualifications  

• Be eligible under Canada Summer Jobs guidelines. 
• Applicants MUST be between 18 - 30 years old, and be Permanent Residents/ Canadian Citizens.
• Have experience and knowledge of online platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) 
• Experience working with virtual tools (Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Google Suite, Canva)
• Strong verbal and written communication 
• Graphic Design and Photography skills 
• Have access to a vehicle and a valid BC drivers license 
• Strong interest in local food systems 
• Event planning experience an asset but not required

What to expect from this work experience

The position will center an equitable and decolonization lens to communications and engagement, and will emphasize the importance of civic engagement as means to create just, sustainable and equitable food systems. 

Skills Development 

• Engaging relationship management skills – colleagues, venues, public, stakeholders;
• Internal Communications: organized, sharing/updating information 
• External Communications - especially presentation/written: proofreading and attention to written details in copy, advertising, venue descriptions  
• Creating/updating Website/SM content; familiar with print/radio/tv with emphasis on editorial/advertorials 
• Candidate’s unique skills they feel would be valuable in this role
• Brainstorming/initiating/creating/scheduling weekly social media content - with a focus on venue  participants and noted offers; possibly creating promotional themes/ideas for continuity
• Focus on increasing reach/growing audience; creating buzz!! 
• Materials distribution – posters, flags, community engagement in event happenings
• Photography, story creation, PR distribution channels

Key activities & workload

• Requires some flexibility in weekly hours  (early season may be fewer, mid-season more) with a focus on some late afternoon and/or esp. Saturday farmers market attendance
• BC DL and access to a vehicle; driving for pick up delivery of posters, venue visits, photo shoots, and especially prior/lead to Festival Event (Aug); event set up. 
• Hybrid role with in office/home office and location based work

Working Conditions:

Physical Effort: Standing for long periods of time while hosting table at local events; Sit with arms unsupported while typing (computer work);  lift and move up to 30lbs totes and event equipment; driving around Capital Region.

Mental and Sensory Effort: Focus on a variety of tasks; drive and follow directions, engage with the public, attend busy events, attend meetings in person and via video conference.

Work Environment: Office setting (downtown Victoria at theDock) and home office (often); indoor and outdoor event venues (often), visit farms (occasional), warehouse (occasional), urban neighborhoods postering (occasional)  

Extra Perks of the Job

- Flexible hours

- Discount on food and produce at the South Island FarmHub

- Membership with theDock Centre for Social Impact

- Networking opportunities with local farmers & makers, the Good Food Network, and other social impact organizations

- Hands on training and mentorship

Anticipated start date: Monday, May 27th, 2024

Wage: $19-$20/hr, depending on experience

Hours: Flexible working hours: 20-25 hours / week. Occasional weekend days are required.

Placement length:  12-14  weeks - May 27, 2024 to - August 30, 2024

Applications due on May 5th 2024

Application details: Please send your resume and cover letter in one PDF document with your last name as the name of the pdf document. In lieu of a cover letter, you can submit a 1 to 2 minute video. Send to [email protected]  with Subject Line: “Flavour Trails Events and Communications Assistant - Your Name.” Please also include how you found out about this job opportunity in your email. 

*Note: If you have similar experiences, but do not meet these requirements exactly, we encourage you to go ahead and apply and elaborate in your video cover letter. CRFAIR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family or parental status, veteran status, neurodiversity status and any other basis protected under Canadian and BC Human Rights legislation.*