Volunteer Assistant

Alliance for Arts and Culture; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vancouver Writers Fest is seeking a Volunteer Assistant to support the organization and administration of its volunteer program. This full-time seasonal role involves engaging with a diverse group of volunteers, coordinating tasks, and ensuring a smooth operation leading up to the festival. Ideal candidates should have relevant experience in volunteer coordination, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently in a team environment.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in volunteer coordination.
• Comfortable working with a diverse team of volunteers.
• Efficient with administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with volunteer program organization and administration.
• Engage department heads regarding volunteer needs.
• Support recruitment and management of volunteers.

Skills

Communication

De-escalation

Conflict-resolution

Administrative efficiency

Tools

Better Impact

Job description

About the Vancouver Writers Fest

The Vancouver Writers Fest connects people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue through year-round programming that ignites a passion for words and the world around us. Our activities include our flagship annual literary Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious in North America. Tens of thousands of readers visit the cultural hub of Granville Island and venues around Vancouver to connect with local and international authors during this week-long event. And throughout the year, we offer free and paid special author events, youth education programming with Writers in the Classroom, and an annual Youth Writing Contest.

The Volunteer Assistant works with the Volunteer Manager to organize and administer the volunteer program for Vancouver Writers Fest, a group of about 250 – 400 volunteers who begin working for festival in August. The Volunteer Assistant reports to the Volunteer Manager, and Operations team. The contract begins 31 July and ends 14 November. Their work hours are generally M-F, 7.5 hrs/day leading up to festival, then as needed during festival week, 20 – 26 October 2025.
This position is a full-time seasonal position, with an hourly rate of $26. The position is in-person, based at the Vancouver Writers Fest office on Granville Island.

Responsibilities:

Assisting with updates/proofreading for Festival volunteer registration and shift sign-up pages, ensuring accuracy of event details, volunteer numbers and shift times, dates.
Working with the Volunteer Manager to engage Department heads regarding volunteer needs and requirements
Updating volunteer job descriptions and Reception Binder, in consultation with Festival team.
Working with the Volunteer Manager to support the recruitment, screening, and assignment of volunteers, including managing Better Impact database, ensuring shifts are covered, and supporting successful skills matching of volunteers and tasks
Working with Volunteer Manager and Distribution Coordinator to supervise the program guide distribution program is running smoothly
Helping secure in-kind donations and discounts for volunteer door prizes, and volunteer reception giveaways
Helping organize and assemble materials for Volunteer Orientation the second week in October, and Volunteer Trainings on accessibility that may happen in September.
Helping to organize and coordinate Volunteer Orientation, including agenda, communication, and communication with VWF staff
Miscellaneous other volunteer management tasks in partnership with the Manager
Organizing the Volunteer Appreciation post-Festival
Contributing to the final report post-festival, including challenges and recommendations

Qualifications:

Relevant experience in volunteer coordination

Experience with Better Impact volunteer management software (or equivalent) an asset

Excellent communication skills

De-escalation and/or conflict-resolution training an asset

Comfortable working with an intergenerational and diverse team of volunteers

Efficient with administrative tasks; able to make lists and carry out tasks in a timely manner

How to Apply:

Please submit your cover letter and resume to [e-mail] as a single PDF document with the email subject line: Festival Volunteer Assistant Application - [your name]

Label your PDF file: Festival Volunteer Assistant Application - [your name]

Deadline to apply: 15 June 2025

The Vancouver Writers Fest strives to create a welcoming and accessible space for everyone to engage with ideas that can transform our world. We are an equal opportunity employer, and committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse, and accessible environment. We recognize and value the diverse experiences that each member of our team brings, and we encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, and anyone who is excited about joining our team.

If you experience any accessibility barriers in applying for this position, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail] to discuss how we can better support you.

We thank all those who apply. Only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

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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.