Sustainable community developer

The creation of this position represents a response to community needs which is inclusive of, yet broader than, social enterprise, while embracing the most forward-looking perspectives of community economic and sustainable development, to engage with crucial issues such as climate change and energy alternatives in the face of fossil fuel challenges. We are inspired by the concept of ‘resilience’, a concept adapted from ecological studies and now being applied to community health. Much of the current global economy / community is not resilient. Many localized economies are! This means communities that become more self-reliant, host local businesses (including social enterprises), encourage socially engaged and empowered citizens, are food secure, and are aware of the importance of stewarding their own eco-regions for their own benefits as well as the globe’s. Another element of resilient communities is sustainability. Sustainable development involves conscious (and conscientious) use of resources, including such measures as planned energy descent, transition to a new way of approaching consumption, and an examination of optimizing renewable resources and alternative energy. Historically, we have witnessed social, economic, and ecological imperatives being attended to in isolation. All three elements of resilient communities must be integrated, and quickly – we no longer have the luxury of focusing on one only. This integrated focus requires a comfort with complexity and an appetite for deep and durable change. There is no room for competition among social, economic, and ecological priorities. Nor should the relationship be viewed as a ‘balancing act’. An interdependency of all systems must be acknowledged. Responsibilities:

• undertaking primary and secondary research
• the creation of community-based feasibility studies and business plans that result in success on the ground
• proposal writing (including budgeting) and community project management
• public speaking
• curriculum development and delivery
• please see full job posting for more…

Qualifications:

• traditional community economic development skills
• social enterprise expertise
• sustainable community development experience
• comfort with integral and/or systems theory
• support for social innovation
• keen interest in new approaches to community health such as Transition Towns
• a passion for the issues of climate change and peak oil
• a proven track record in food security projects
• an ease with community facilitation processes
• please see full job posting for more…

The work group is shifting to a model of self-sufficiency via project funding, with no reliance on core organizational funding by mid-2010. An entrepreneurial attitude to project development is essential, as all staff will be required to cover their wages via proposal writing and fee-for-service offerings to communities. For the right person, this position represents an opportunity to co-create deep and durable community change with a team of fellow adventurers, attracting support and working on projects of your own devising! If you feel that you are suitable for this position, please reply with a full resume and details of: o Social enterprise experience (as a manager and/or technical assistance provider); o Sustainable community development experience; o Examples of experience with group formation, development, and support; o Familiarity with resilient communities concept; o Food security project experience; o Exposure to climate change and peak oil as community economic development influencers; o Experience in training and curriculum development (detailing topics); o Two examples of policy change involvement; o Two samples of each of a project proposal / research piece / feasibility study or business plan; o Details of past successes in procuring project funding (with dollar amounts); o Examples of innovative projects undertaken; o Your reasons for your interest in this position. Please see full details (including expansion of remuneration scale description) at www.southfraser.com/about_cfsf/Career_Opportunities.php Contact Information Stacey Corriveau Manager, CED Community Futures South Fraser Email: stacey.corriveau@southfraser.com