Social Planner I

Alliance for Arts and Culture; British Columbia; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to enhancing cultural equity and accessibility within the vibrant arts sector. This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative programs that support equity-deserving communities while fostering a culture of learning and accountability. You will engage with diverse stakeholders to identify barriers and implement solutions, making a tangible impact on the community. If you're passionate about social justice and the arts, this position is your chance to contribute to meaningful change in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant discipline preferred.
• Experience leading equity initiatives in arts and culture.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver cultural equity and accessibility programs.
• Support community engagement to identify barriers and promote funding.

Skills

Equity Initiatives

Cultural Accessibility

Community Engagement

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Master's Degree in Arts & Culture

Post-secondary Degree in Social Sciences

Job description

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

The Cultural Equity and Accessibility Planner develops and delivers cultural equity and accessibility programs within the Arts and Culture team and provides subject matter and process expertise to enhance the department’s capacity to work towards greater equity and accessibility outcomes. Objectives of the role include engaging with and improving outcomes for equity-deserving communities, delivering programs, sharing best practices, identifying opportunities, and tracking progress across the department.

This role will be supported by and complete work to align with broader Citywide structures and strategies, including Culture Shift, the City’s 10-year culture plan, the City’s Equity Framework, Accessibility Strategy, Reconciliation Framework, and UNDRIP Action Plan.

This position reports to the Head of Grants and Awards and works closely with other Arts & Culture teams, and with the Anti-Racism, Equity and Access Team.

Responsibilities:

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Develops and delivers cultural equity and accessibility programs within the Arts and Culture Team including: dedicated programs to support cultural organizations led by equity-deserving communities; and sector-wide programs to support all organizations to advance equity and accessibility.
Provides subject matter and process expertise to enhance the department’s capacity towards greater equity and accessibility outcomes.
Identifies how current Arts and Culture programs, policies, and decisions uphold and/or maintain systems of oppression and identifies relevant opportunities to make them more equitable and accessible.
Supports the City’s commitment to repair the harms of systemic exclusion and discrimination through cultural redress and anti-racism initiatives.
Supports the City’s commitment to support disabled creators, disability arts as a practice, and accommodations for disabled audiences.
Contributes to building a culture of learning within the staff and promotes accountability in equity and accessibility.
Develops a shared and specific vocabulary for equity and accessibility work, aligning Arts and Culture’s approach with wider ACCS and City efforts.
Conducts research of best practices in equity and accessibility.
Develops and tracks metrics for equity and accessibility goals and plans.
Supports community engagement to identify barriers, understand needs, and promote funding opportunities.
Functions as a key contact for equity-seeking individuals and groups and engages with the community on an ongoing basis.
Identifies ways to engage and support arts and culture organizations towards greater equity and accessibility, in alignment with City priorities.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Post-secondary degree preferably with a Master's Degree or its equivalent, in relevant discipline (Arts & Culture, Social Sciences, Arts Administration, Community Planning) supplemented by course work around equity and accessibility, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience developing and leading equity initiatives.
Experience working with or within the arts and culture sector.
Relevant lived experience as a racialized person and/or experience living with a disability preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of Vancouver’s arts and culture ecosystem.
Knowledge, experience, and ability to apply core equity lenses to all work responsibilities, as appropriate: Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Intersectionality and Systems Orientation.
Considerable knowledge about disability issues, disability organizations, and an understanding of ableism.
Knowledge of working with equity-deserving communities.
Knowledge of funding programs and processes is an asset.
Strong communication skills with an ability to navigate and participate in complex discussions on equity, accessibility, and cultural redress while remaining open to new and challenging ideas.
Cross-cultural competency, including strong emotional intelligence and the ability to engage, motivate, and build trust and confidence with diverse audiences within a work environment.
Ability to influence others, both internal City and external partners, towards common goals.
Strong engagement and facilitation skills and interest in contributing to a culture of learning within the Arts and Culture team.
Research and analysis skills to support program development and delivery.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives, projects, report on outcomes, and meet deadlines.
Ability to exercise good judgment, initiative, and work independently as well as part of a team.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: June, 2025

Position End Date: January, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.70 to $61.13 per hour

Application Close: May 9, 2025

How to Apply:

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.

Remuneration:

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.70 to $61.13 per hour

Organization: Other Sights for Artists' Projects
Deadline: May. 28, 2025

Organization: Gateway Theatre
Deadline: May. 19, 2025

Organization: Gateway Theatre
Deadline: May. 19, 2025

Organization: Gateway Theatre
Deadline: May. 19, 2025

Organization: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Deadline: Open until a suitable candidate is found

Organization: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Deadline: Open until a suitable candidate is found

Organization: Arts Club Theatre Company
Deadline: May. 31, 2025

Organization: City of Vancouver
Deadline: May. 9, 2025

Organization: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Deadline: Until a suitable candidate is found

To see more postings, see the full list at the right.

The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture is honoured to work on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and 240 other Indigenous communities across BC.