Communications Assistant

***This position has been filled***

About Cycle Toronto

Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity that works to make Toronto a healthy, safe and vibrant cycling city for all. We are focused on advocacy, education and encouragement, as we work to shape policy and infrastructure, and build community to transform our city’s cycling culture. We engage a diversity of people in our work, pursuing evidence-based solutions that make cycling a viable option for all Torontonians. We are a small, collaborative staff team that sees cycling as a gateway to a healthy environment, complete streets, economic prosperity, stronger communities, better mental and physical health, equity, and fun. 

Job Summary

• Job title: Communications Assistant
• Type: Full-time contract (37.5 hours/week)
• Contract dates: May 16 to Sept 30, 2022 (20 weeks) with possibility of extension 
• Wage: $19/hour
• Equipment: A laptop will be provided for all required remote/office work and video calling. The successful candidate will be required  to have a reliable internet connection if working from home, and will be expected to use their personal phone for meetings and offsite work. Reimbursement of up to $50/month for phone usage will be provided if it is determined that having access to a personal phone is needed to fulfill the requirements of the role.
• Location: Physical office located at 401 Richmond St, Toronto. We are currently a hybrid workplace with the option to work from home and at our office. While some of our work can be done remotely, the successful candidate is expected to live within the City of Toronto. 
• Hours: General availability between 9:00 am-5:00 pm or 10:00 am-6:00 pm during office hours. Flexible hours and timeshifting is expected at times (with time in lieu provided), as some availability after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and occasional weekend work may be  required depending on the event calendar and availability of volunteers.
• Deadline to apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Due to the timing of this contract, we cannot guarantee the opportunity for an interview and will be interviewing on a rolling basis until the position is filled (see application process at the end of this posting for details).

Job description

Reporting to the Communications Manager and working remotely and/or from our office during the COVID-19 pandemic (subject to change), the Communications Assistant will provide support to a number of portfolios and projects at Cycle Toronto including copy editing, social media, event promotion, and updating website content. The Assistant will be part of a small, dedicated staff team that works both independently and collaboratively. The successful candidate will be joining a wonderfully supportive and welcoming team that supports each other’s priorities. This is an entry level position and our goal is to help the successful candidate learn and grow while increasing our organizational effectiveness during our busy summer season.

Responsibilities

• Media tracking: monitor media outlets for relevant articles and provide metrics for reporting
• Social media engagement: produce social media content, respond to queries, ensure events are promoted (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
• Copy editing: ensure spelling, grammar, and factual accuracy of written communications
• Contribute to drafting and creating engaging monthly newsletter and email content
• Documenting outreach and other events: occasionally attend offsite, in-person events to take pictures and/or video, ensure communications documents are in order
• Update and review website content: add, edit, and review web pages on CycleTO.ca and BikeMonth.ca
• Programming support: ensure consistent and engaging communications for our campaigns, outreach initiatives, and major programs (Bike Month, The Big Toronto Bike Ride, StreetSmartsTO)
• Other administrative and communications related duties as necessary

Qualifications

• Ability to research information independently
• Willing to ask for help from their collaborative team
• Strong copy editing skills and attention to detail
• A passion for helping to build a healthy, vibrant, and safe cycling city for all 
• A commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Professionalism in working with a variety of stakeholders of diverse interests and backgrounds
• Communication skills, including writing for a variety of audiences, developing visual materials, and delivering oral presentations
• Computer proficiency, including experience with Email and Google Suite products (eg. Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.) 
• Organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects under competing deadlines with a strong attention to detail 
• Flexibility, including a willingness to perform a variety of tasks in a team setting to maximize effectiveness
• Results-driven, taking initiative to grow Cycle Toronto’s audience and impact

Assets

• Work or volunteer experience within a non-profit/charity setting
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) and content management systems (CMS)
• Ability to speak or write in multiple languages

Additional Eligibility Criteria

This role is supported by the United Nations Association in Canada’s Youth Break Barriers to Employment (YBBE) Program. In order to be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a youth, aged 15-30 years old at the start of employment
• Be eligible to work in Canada
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status
• Reside in Toronto, Hamilton, or St. Catherines (priority will be given to residents of Toronto)
• Be available to work full-time (at least 30 hours per week or more)
• Have been out of school for at least 6 months at the start of employment
• Be available to start work on May 16, 2022

Any interns that have not yet been qualified by YBBE must fill out the following survey to ensure you’ll qualify for the subsidy:

Qualify for YBBE survey

Cycle Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion. Cycle Toronto encourages applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as part of another racialized group, women, people with disabilities, people of diverse social classes, people with diverse gender identities, and people with diverse sexual orientations. Accommodation in the hiring process and during employment will be provided in accordance with Ontario’s Human Rights Code. 

Cycle Toronto is committed to taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the health and safety of workers from the hazard of COVID-19. An offer of employment is contingent upon demonstrating proof of COVID-19 vaccination by the time of the employee's start date.  

Application Process

To apply, send your resume and brief cover letter outlining why creating a safe, healthy and vibrant cycling city for all at Cycle Toronto is of interest to you in one PDF application to work@cycleto.ca with the subject line “Communications Assistant”. Applications and interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the position is filled, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as funding is contingent on available space in the internship program. We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash