BC Food Systems and Environmental Stewardship

The Public Health Association of BC is Hiring!

Position: Rise Up! Regional Lead - Vancouver Island Region
Organization: Public Health Association of BC
Location: Hybrid within Vancouver Island
Type: 1.0 FTE – Full Time (Temporary)

Overview

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC), in partnership with CityHive and MeaningfulWork, is seeking a passionate and community-driven leader to serve as the Rise Up! Regional Lead for the Vancouver Island Region. Reporting to the Rise Up! Project Manager, the successful candidate will oversee the day-to-day regional implementation of the Rise Up! Strengthening Food Systems & Environmental Stewardship project, funded by Canada Service Corp between February 3, 2025 and March 31, 2027.

This role involves engaging youth, supporting host organizations, and facilitating impactful volunteer placements. The ideal candidate has a strong background in youth engagement, food systems, and community development. While this position is remote, the successful candidate is required to attend some in-person meetings and events.

Background

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) is a non-profit charity (est. 1953) dedicated to promoting public health through policy advocacy, research, and collaboration. With national and international partnerships, PHABC engages in dialogue and action on public health issues across Canada. PHABC has a strong track record in fiscal stability, community development, education, and health initiatives, working with federal and provincial governments on knowledge development and exchange projects.

About the project

Rise Up! is a youth volunteer engagement program across British Columbia, focused on food systems and environmental stewardship. Funded by Canada Service Corps, it aims to provide 145 youth (ages 15-30) with mentorship, education, and volunteer placements in the food systems and environmental sectors (e.g., K-12 schools, community gardens, food banks, FOOD access organizations, ec.). The Rise Up! program is open to all youth in British Columbia, with a strong focus on removing barriers and prioritizing Indigenous and equity-deserving youth. By ensuring access to meaningful volunteer placements, this initiative supports those who have historically faced limited opportunities to gain valuable skills and experiences. These opportunities will help youth build their careers, strengthen their communities’ health and well-being, and foster civic engagement, diversity, and inclusion.

The program’s core objective is to expand access to impactful volunteer experiences in the environmental and food systems sectors—empowering youth to develop essential skills, deepen their connection to community and the land, and contribute to a more sustainable and just future.

This project will include six core themes in service placements which are: 1) reconciliation; 2) building an inclusive Canada; 3) preserving the environment; 4) promoting civic and democratic engagement; 5) strengthening youth resilience and 6) other youth identified theme.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Oversee the regional implementation of Rise Up!, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, community needs, and funding requirements.
• Recruit, onboard, and support youth volunteers and host organizations (e.g., schools, food banks, farms, and environmental groups).
• Provide mentorship and support to youth, fostering engagement, learning, and skill development.
• Organize and facilitate volunteer placements, ensuring a safe, meaningful, and impactful experience.
• Assist in curriculum development and learning materials related to food systems and environmental education alongside the Provincial Manager and Regional Leads.
• Support the program budget in collaboration with the Provincial Manager.
• Monitor program impact, track participation, and report data to ensure alignment with funding requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders to expand program reach.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture while collaborating with the Provincial Manager and other Regional Leads to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and strengthen program delivery.
• Create safe, inclusive spaces for youth to express themselves, develop skills, and shape programs through strong relationships and active participation.
• Represent the program and organization at community events and meetings.
• Complete administrative tasks such as reporting, document management, and budget tracking.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree/diploma in public health, nutrition, agriculture, food systems, social sciences, or equivalent combination of education and work/volunteer experience.
• 2+ years' experience in youth engagement, food systems, or volunteer coordination preferred.
• Knowledge of food access programs, civic and youth engagement, food security, equity, and Indigenous food systems.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills for engaging youth volunteers and community partners.
• Facilitation skills to foster meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing.
• Strong organizational and time management skills for coordinating volunteers and activities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Passion for youth leadership, food systems, and community-driven change.
• Leadership style promoting collaboration, inclusivity, and independent decision-making.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, with awareness of systemic inequities in food access and public health.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, surveys, and data analysis tools.
• Able to travel, with occasional evening/weekend availability. Preference given to candidates in the Capital Regional District.

Job Details

This is a 1.0 FTE position, valued at 37.5 hours per week, at a rate of $31.13 per hour including three (3) week’s paid vacation. The selected candidate will be offered employment including extended health & dental benefits and sick/personal/birthday leave following a successful probationary period of ninety (90) days.

• Remote work with occasional travel for in-person meetings or engagements.
• Flexible work hours
• Laptop and all software are provided
• $50 monthly stipend provided for phone/internet

To Apply

Submit your resume, cover letter and three references to Lauren Bernardi, Rise Up! Provincial Manager at rise.up@phabc.org .

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

All interviews will be conducted via Zoom.

Application Deadline: February 20, 2025, at 11:59pm.
Interview Dates: February 25-28, 2025
Employment Start Date: March 10, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PHABC is an equal opportunity organization and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this position without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.