Community Services Assistant 5 — Community Heritage Specialist

City of Surrey; Surrey; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority in Metro Vancouver seeks a Community Heritage Specialist. This part-time role (21 hrs/week) involves developing heritage initiatives and community engagement. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, experience in public writing, and collaborative abilities. Knowledge of heritage best practices is essential. This position includes regular travel across the city and may require physical work.

Benefits

Hourly rate of $32.04

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with writing for public exhibits and programs.
• Experience in using primary sources for research.
• Collaborative experience with staff and community partners.
• Confidence in public speaking to various audience sizes.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Effective conflict resolution and leadership ability.
• Knowledge of heritage best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop community-focused heritage initiatives through outreach.
• Create connections with community members through engagement.
• Support heritage asset development through research and writing.
• Work with partners and contractors on heritage projects.
• Supervise and schedule staff and volunteers.
• Monitor expenses within assigned budgets.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Experience with writing for the public

Significant experience with primary sources research

Experience working collaboratively

Confidence speaking in front of audiences

Planning and organizational skills

Effective conflict resolution

Knowledge of heritage best practices

Job description

City of Surrey

Community Services Assistant 5 — Community Heritage Specialist

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, City of Surrey is a globally recognized leader in building vibrant, sustainable communities through technology and innovation.

City of Surrey employees are talented innovators, inspired by meaningful work and the opportunity to drive our city—and their careers—forward.

Build a City. Build a Future at the City of Surrey

Scope

Located on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Salish peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo) Nations, the City of Surrey is a globally recognized leader in building vibrant, sustainable communities.

The City of Surrey is seeking an engaging and collaborative Community Heritage Specialist (CSA 5) to join the Heritage Services division of the Parks, Recreation and Culture department. This position is an integral part of the team that provides decentralized access to Surrey’s heritage in a meaningful way, bringing the stories of Surrey’s diverse citizens and communities to the forefront.

Employment Status

Regular Part-Time

Responsibilities

• Develop and administer community-focused heritage initiatives, including outreach to various community members and groups
• Help to create meaningful connections and build relationships with community members and groups through multiple engagement methods
• Support development of heritage assets, including interpretive signs and online tools, through research, writing, and reporting
• Work with internal and external partners and contractors
• Supervise and schedule staff and volunteers
• Monitor expenses within assigned budgets

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience with writing for the public (e.g. exhibits, programs)
• Significant experience with the use of primary sources for research
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and affiliated groups and community partners
• Confidence speaking in front of audiences of various sizes and connecting with members of the public
• Planning and organizational skills
• Effective conflict resolution and leadership ability
• Knowledge of best practices in the heritage sector, including its relation to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

This position reports to the Curator of Community Heritage and will be based out of the 1912 Hall (Surrey Archives) but will involve regular travel across the city. This is a Regular Part-Time position of 21 hours per week, including weekends and some evenings. Note that physical work is sometimes required with some exposure to changing environments.

Other Information

• Hourly Rate: $32.04 (2024 Rate)

Posting Closes on November 28, 2025