DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION:

Founded in 2006, the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling (COHDS) is an award-winning interdisciplinary research unit within Concordia University. COHDS has about 250 affiliated faculty members, students, artists, educators, partner organizations, and community members. Our central mission is to support the gathering and preservation of the audiovisual oral history record, while encouraging solo, collaborative, and community-based research and creation that respond to living memory and oral testimony.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Coordinator and Community Facilitator (CCF) is the primary staff member of COHDS and manages much of the day-to-day needs of this research unit. The CCF reports directly to the COHDS Co-Directors and Administrative Board, who decide on COHDS’s strategic vision and priorities.

We seek a candidate with initiative, who is well organized, who is capable of overseeing several dossiers at the same time. As the job title indicates, the CCF’s main responsibility is to support the work of the COHDS community, by: 1. Providing professional support to the Centre and its affiliates in terms of oral history methods and practices, communication (e.g. newsletter, social media, website) and organization of events (e.g. programming, networking, registration), 2. facilitating our affiliates’ use of our space, resources, and collection, 3. facilitating our affiliates’ teaching and learning when these draw upon COHDS’s space, resources, and collection, 4. supporting the community’s interest in linkages with Fine Arts, and 5. sustaining the collaborative and collegial culture of COHDS by responding to and implementing the Board’s directives and policies.

The CCF’s core responsibilities include:

  • Acting as the “face” of COHDS: welcoming community members, supporting their requests for assistance, and facilitating their needs vis-à-vis our labs, technology, and collection
  • Greeting visitors and liaising with those interested in affiliation with COHDS
  • Through professional expertise in terms of oral history methods, ensure that COHDS’ tradition of offering introductory oral history workshops continues, in English and French
  • Providing professional support, in collaboration with the Communications coordinator, for managing and developing COHDS’ digital presence (e.g. Zoom meetings, COHDS newsletter, Facebook page and website)
  • Creating and managing the COHDS’s annual program of events and workshops, as well as the annual “Emerging Scholars” symposium
  • Facilitating the collaboration between COHDS and the Acts of Listening Lab (ALLab)
  • Managing the COHDS’s space, equipment, and other staff members, and being the main liaison between the collection, the Co-Directors, and part-time staff
  • Overseeing and administering the budget and, in consultation with the COHDS Co-Directors, maintaining financial control over COHDS’s operations
  • Report to the Administrative Board, organize its meetings and, when asked, serve as an ex-officio member, preparing the agendas and taking minutes
  • Prepare reports for the Office of Research, including COHDS annual reports and other documents
  • Liaise with the Co-Directors over any promotional or media activities
  • Post work-study positions, interview candidates and, in consultation with the Co-Directors, hire staff as needed/as the budget allows

REQUIREMENTS:

  • The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to community work
  • Practical experience of oral history as a method will be considered a strong asset
  • Strong background in community-engaged art practice, or the study of that practice will be considered a strong asset
  • Bilingual (English and French, written and spoken) and excellent communication and writing skills are required (knowledge of additional languages will be considered an asset)
  • Experience with diverse populations, including, but not limited to, Indigenous communities will be considered an asset
  • A strong record of administrative expertise is required
  • Paid experience in a University environment will be considered a strong asset

CONDITIONS:

  • 21 hours/week, for 52 weeks, including 3 weeks of paid vacation (plus 1.5 weeks over the winter holidays)
  • The salary is $25.5/hour (plus benefits)
  • This contract falls under the Concordia Association of Research Employees (CARE) collective agreement
  • Starting date: August 1, 2023 (negotiable)

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must consist of a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and the names of two individuals who may be contacted for reference letters.

Please send your application to barbara.lorenzkowski@concordia.ca by June 9, 2023 (applications will be accepted until the position is filled).