Job Description

Job Posting: Office Administration & Programming Coordinator (Full-Time)

Ontario Public Interest Research Group of Peterborough (OPIRG Peterborough)

Location: 751 George St N, 103, Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) ON

Position: 30 hours/week, Permanent

Salary: $28.62/hour + Health & Dental Benefits

Date Posted: July 15, 2025

Application Deadline: August 11, 2025, by 12:00 noon

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2025

Website:

Unionized Position: CUPE Local 1281

About OPIRG Peterborough

OPIRG works to create and sustain student and community-based engagement through research, education and action on social justice and environmental issues. OPIRG-Peterborough employs consensus decision-making processes and endeavours to foster a non-hierarchical and anti-oppressive working environment.

OPIRG Peterborough organizes events and campaigns, as well as supports initiatives that address intersecting social and environmental issues, locally and beyond. We support grassroots action groups and community-based research, and offer meaningful opportunities for involvement through volunteering and through joining the Board of Directors.

OPIRG Peterborough is funded through a Trent University undergraduate student levy and community memberships. While we are associated with Trent University and Trent students, we are a fully autonomous, non-profit organization. We work collaboratively with students and community members to advance decolonization, transformative justice, and systemic change.

About the Free Market Program

The Free Market is a mutual-aid program for Trent students and community members to access clothing, books, and small household items for free. The Free Market exists to subvert capitalism and nurture sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental awareness.

In its current iteration, OPIRG Peterborough hosts the Free Market in different accessible locations around Nogojiwanong/Peterborough at least 4 times per year, often partnering with various community organizations.

About the Green Dishes Program

The Green Dishes is a waste-reduction project designed to eliminate the need for disposable dishes at community and campus events in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. It is a low-cost dish lending program to facilitate environmental sustainability.

About DisOrientation Week

Dis-Orientation Week (Dis-O Week) is a week of various events and activities oriented around social justice, environmental justice and anti-oppression put on by Trent groups and members of the community. Dis-O Week is an integral part of keeping the embers of activist culture burning at Trent.

This annual program was sparked by the administration's attempt to close Trent's downtown, more progressive colleges, and centralize the university in 1999. From this attempted shift towards a more neo-liberalized school, Dis-Orientation Week was born as a form of resistance for activists in the community and has continued on until today.

About the Role

The Office Administration & Programming Coordinator position is a pivotal position in our organization. With high student and volunteer turnover, this full-time staff role anchors OPIRG Peterborough in sustainability, organizational memory, and day-to-day functioning. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Office Administration & Programming Coordinator is responsible for office administration, financial oversight, human resource management, program delivery, and organizational development.

The successful candidate will be a skilled administrator and multitasker, grounded in social and environmental justice values, and excited to build relationships with students, community members, and our provincial Ontario PIRG network.

Candidates must be able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and occasional weekends, for meetings and events. Work time allocated in each of the areas of responsibility will vary greatly depending on the time of the year and the term.

Due to the high number of student volunteers, OPIRG Peterborough experiences high volunteer turnover; therefore, permanent staff provide a much-needed continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. The Office Administration & Programming Coordinator is accountable to the Board of Directors of OPIRG Peterborough, reports to them, and works with them to carry out critical basic tasks that maintain the integrity of the organization. The Office Administration & Programming Coordinator also works cooperatively with the Community Engagement Coordinator, student staff, and volunteers. The work environment has little day-to-day supervision, so candidates must be self-driven and demonstrate strong leadership.

Employment Terms

This position begins with a pay rate of $28.62/hour plus health and dental benefits. This is a unionized position under CUPE Local 1281, with a six-month probationary period.

Accessibility

There is a wheelchair lift in the building (Sadleir House), but we regret that the second and third floors of the building are not currently accessible to wheelchair users. The OPIRG Peterborough office is accessible by wheelchair.

Responsibilities

Board of Directors Support

Assist in recruiting and orienting new board members (help lead board retreat, prepare board kits etc.) Coordinate or deliver Board training (e.g. consensus, facilitation, anti-oppression, and financial management). Provideadministrative support to the board (e.g. attend board meetings and assist the Board in policy-making and decision-making) . Help organize the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and annual Board elections. Facilitate and implement a strategic plan for the organization. Participate in conflict resolution processes where appropriate.

Staff Coordination

Assist in recruiting, hiring, orienting, training, and supporting student staff in collaboration with the Board and other staff. Provide ongoing supervision and guidance to student staff as required and/or as deemed appropriate by the Board. Maintain staff records and oversee timesheets, payroll, and other HR-related tasks.

Volunteer Coordination

Recruit, orient, train, support, and supervise volunteers regarding programming, including the Free Market, Green Dishes, and other program initiatives. Provide support and maintain ongoing communication with volunteers (including working groups, co-op students/interns, and others) in collaboration with the Board. Help the board organize an annual volunteer and staff appreciation. Supervise placement student(s) in partnership with Trent University or other community institutions and organizations.

Office Administration

Maintain regular office hours and ensure a welcoming, accessible environment for students and community members. Manage day-to-day communication channels, including email, phone, and mail. Keep website and social media accounts updated in collaboration with the staff and board. Oversee the management of the office space, including office cleanliness, equipment, and supplies, in collaboration with the board. Assist volunteers and student staff in accessing equipment and resources in the office. Establish, implement and maintain systems that support organizational learning and memory, such as overall physical and digital filing systems.

Financial Administration

Manage day-to-day finances of the organization, including: bookkeeping using QuickBooks, banking, payroll, and fundraising. Facilitate grant writing and administration in collaboration with the board to support programming and with the board and the Community Engagement Coordinator to support projects. Provide financial reports to the Board regularly and as requested. Collaborate on annual budget planning and financial forecasting with the board and with input from the Community Engagement Coordinator. Develop the year-end financial report and prepare for an annual financial review by a Chartered Accountant. Prepare the OPIRG Annual Report before the annual general meeting.

Programming Support

Work with the Board, staff, and volunteers to ensure OPIRG Peterborough's ongoing programs reflect its values and mission.

Green Dishes program

Maintain the clean and reusable dishware inventory (plates, cutlery, glasses, etc) Coordinate the lending of Green Dishes to community and campus groups and community members for events Help develop and maintain guidelines and user agreements for responsible borrowing, cleaning, and return. Promote the program to new users and build partnerships with local groups.

Free Market program

Oversee inventory of donated items, working with volunteers and student staff to clean, sort, and store donated items and keep them organized in the Free Market storage space. Ensure donation bins are regularly emptied (once per month or as needed), are kept clean, have appropriate signage, and make any necessary appointments for donation drop-offs. Coordinate all aspects of Free Market pop-up events, including scheduling, venue booking, transportation (e.g. booking truck or van rentals), volunteer recruitment, training, and support, event setup/takedown, accounting for community safety, and promotion with support from the student staff (if available) and the board. Foster partnerships with local community groups to support collaborative events and shared values. Ensure all activities align with OPIRG's principles of anti-capitalism, sustainability, accessibility, and anti-oppression.

DisOrientation Week

Oversee, mentor, and supervise the DisOrientation Week Organizer and collaborate in the coordination of our annual DisOrientation Week with support also from the Community Engagement Coordinator.

Additional Programming Duties

Support the use and maintenance of the Button Press and supplies. Maintain strong community relationships and foster collaborative partnerships. Ensure safe, clean, and organized operations and sustain the delivery of these community services in a manner consistent with our values and mission. Develop and conduct regular evaluations of OPIRG Peterborough programs and initiatives to ensure relevance, inclusion, and impact. Establish budgets and allocate resources. Establish goals and participate in their implementation Create and distribute promotional resources (including graphics for social media, pamphlets, and posters). Write press releases and work with local media.

Community-Based Research

Assist in the development of research projects and their implementation in collaboration with the staff and board. Help supervise research projects in collaboration with community partners and/or Trent Community Based Research Centre.

Provincial PIRG Engagement

Maintain contact with other PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups) and participate in OPIRG's provincial Board, including attending Board meetings and participating in Provincial initiatives. Attend Provincial staff meetings.

Qualifications

Education and Work Experience

A post-secondary degree in community development, international studies or a related field OR equivalent experience. A minimum of 2 years of relevant employment experience within a non-profit organization. Knowledge, expertise and experience in community activism/engagement. Proven competency with office and financial administration and bookkeeping.

Essential Knowledge and Values

Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to decolonization and anti-oppression theory, as well as a developed analysis of the political, social and legal aspects of oppression. Understanding of and experience with consensus-based decision-making. Interest in and understanding of social and environmental justice issues.

Communication and Collaboration Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills (fluency and excellent skills in using the English language are essential in order to function effectively in the campus and Peterborough communities and to be able to deliver the services and programs as required). Knowledge and ability to communicate in other languages are considered an asset. Excellent interpersonal skills (sensitivity to others, ability to work respectfully and cooperatively within a diverse group of people). Ability to effectively and confidently represent the organization in a variety of public forums. Ability to use tact and diplomacy. Willingness to act as a resource and mentor to others in the organization (including the Board of Directors). Ability to resolve conflict constructively and appropriately. Good understanding of group dynamics and commitment to working towards the achievement of shared goals.

Computer Skills

Proficiency and skills with various media and a range of information and communication technologies (computer software, internet, social media, etc.). Experience designing promotional/public education materials using design software. Experience with accounting/bookkeeping software (especially Quickbooks accounting software).

Coordination and Organizational Skills

Proven ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously within an unstructured and unsupervised work environment. Ability to locate, gather and organize information using appropriate technology and information systems (filing) Proven ability to think strategically, especially in relation to budgeting and planning Experience and expertise in coordinating a large number of projects and events. Skills in program and policy development (including planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation)

Complex problem-solving abilities

Must be highly motivated and self-directed with exemplary organizational, administrative and time management skills. Proven ability to network with different stakeholders (i.e. University administration, professors, community, staff, and Board of Directors).

Experiential Assets

Experience working witha volunteer Board of Directors, an OPIRG, or a similar non-profit organization Experience working with post-secondary studentsand/oryouth approximately 19-25 yrs of age Knowledge of Trent University campus and local social and environmental organizations, and community organizations is an asset. Experience with the facilitation of engaging adult education workshops

Equity Statement & Application Process

OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites Black, Indigenous and racialized people, poor and working class people and those on social assistance, women, Intersex people, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and queer people; transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people, Two-spirit people; single parents, members of ethnic minorities, newcomers and immigrants, people from non-academic backgrounds and disabled, chronically ill or neurodiverse people, people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related illnesses, people with experiences of incarceration and/or records of offences except where it relates to bona-fide employment qualifications, people involved in or with experiences in sex work to apply. We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they would bring to the OPIRG organization in their cover letter. All applicants must provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression.

If you require accommodation while navigating the application process, please contact: opirg@trentu.ca.

Interested applicants should deliver a resume, cover letter, a minimum of three references (with phone numbers and email addresses) and a one-page essay that addresses any of the following topics:

a) the relevance of anti-oppression work to social change organizations;

b) the most pressing issues facing our communities today;

c) the role of public interest research in society, or;

d) the role of students in social change;

Applications should be sent as a single PDF document, with "Office Administration & Programming Coordinator Position" as the document title, along with the applicant's name. "Office Administration & Programming Coordinator Position" must be in the subject line as well.

Applications must be sent to opirg@trentu.ca by August 11th at noon

.

No phone calls, please. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more info: opirgptbo.ca/get-involved/were-hiring/

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $28.62 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Dental care Extended health care Mileage reimbursement On-site parking Paid time off Wellness program
Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekends as needed
Application question(s):

Have you read to the end of the job description and reviewed the application process requirements?
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-08-11
Expected start date: 2025-09-01