Job Posting: Bike Mentor Program Manager

HUB Cycling is a charitable not-for-profit organization that has spent more than two decades removing barriers to cycling in Metro Vancouver, while cultivating the health, environmental, and economic benefits that active transportation can bring. HUB Cycling has educated and motivated thousands of people, and championed improvements that #UnGapTheMap to create a more connected cycling network.

HUB Cycling’s mission is to get more people cycling more often. We make cycling better through education, action and events. More cycling means healthier, happier, more connected communities. We’re leading the way in making cycling an attractive choice for everyone.

HUB Cycling is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive organization. Diversity is integral to this commitment. Diversity among our members, volunteers, staff and Board of Directors allows us to better understand, connect to, and respond to the needs of HUB members and the broader communities we engage with. HUB Cycling encourages women, Indigenous people, people of colour, and LGBTQIA and individuals from other diverse communities to apply, and we encourage you to self-identify in your application.  Read our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy at bikehub.ca/diversity.

About HUB Cycling’s Newcomer Bike Mentor Program

In 2017 and 2018 HUB Cycling offered the Newcomer Bike Mentor (Host) Program in collaboration with Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC).  The first of its kind in Vancouver, the program matched recent immigrants and refugees with local “host/mentor” volunteers for companionship and cultural orientation to Vancouver’s active cycling transportation lifestyle.  In 2021, we’re excited to re-launch this program in Vancouver and Surrey in partnership with ISSofBC, and in collaboration with Toronto and Halifax service organizations, with three year funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Through the program recently arrived immigrants and refugees receive city cycling orientation and instruction, then are matched for three months to spend time with skilled and knowledgeable mentor volunteers to become familiar with local city cycling.  Through their mentor matching, newcomers will become oriented to Vancouver or Surrey’s cycling routes, rules, and culture, while having fun exploring urban spaces by bike together. 

Position Summary:

HUB Cycling seeks a Program Manager for the Newcomer Bike Mentor Program.  The Program Manager will join our accomplished Bike Education team, working with direct supervision by the HUB Director of Bike Education.  They will also work in coordination with the HUB Director of Program Development, and with frontline and management staff of the ISSofBC.  The Bike Mentor Program Manager will be responsible for the oversight, coordination, budgeting, public relations, evaluation and reporting of the Greater Vancouver portion of this multi-year program, and will also play key coordination role for these activities with service providers in Toronto and Halifax, which will be operating under the same ISSofBC master contract.  

Responsibilities:

  • Developing and implementing a multi-year action plan to meet program deadlines, deliverables and objectives.
  • Establishing systems for ongoing communication and coordination between the ISSofBC and HUB Cycling.  
  • Coordinating logistics of program infrastructure including procuring bikes and related equipment, and providing it to program participants.  
  • Updating and improving orientation materials and resources; facilitating orientation sessions; coordinating cycling courses for newcomers.
  • Recruiting motivated local volunteer mentors from HUB’s network of cycling champions and other sources, and liaising with ISSofBC staff to match volunteers with newcomers.
  • Recruiting newcomer participants in collaboration with ISSofBC.
  • Organizing small-scale events and monthly activities for mentor matches.
  • Providing ongoing support to program matches as necessary to ensure they have positive experiences and participate for the length of the program. 
  • Supporting academic partners in their implementation of a 3-year program evaluation plan for Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax that captures key metrics and assists in compiling and analyzing program data, and reporting to funders.
  • Conducting follow-up communications with program participants to compile and collect program statistics and reporting feedback, assisting in data compilation.
  • Ongoing communication and collaboration with the ISSofBC staff team and other service collaborators.
  • Organizing social media / public profile / media events working with HUB and ISSofBC communications staff.  Monitoring and recording all media exposure.
  • Responding to public and stakeholder correspondence regarding the Bike Mentor program.
  • Providing appropriate recognition for all program donors and volunteers.  
  • Quarterly reporting to Executive Director and Director of Bike Education.
  • Financial planning and administration, ensure the project runs within budget. 
  • Potential direct supervision of a summer student placement Program Assistant, allocating tasks for the Program Assistant for effective program implementation.
  • Support additional tasks as needed and agreed upon with the Director of Bike Education.

The ideal candidate is:

  • An excellent communicator with strong professional, interpersonal and cross-cultural verbal and written communication skills
  • Committed to creating a positive experience for program participants including volunteers and newcomers to Canada
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at working with many partners to run effective and community education programs; strong in project planning, record-keeping, and reporting. 
  • Generally familiar with academic rigour and social service program evaluation.  
  • Collaborative and a skilled liaison between organizations and work teams. 
  • Able to work with a high level of independence and self-motivation.
  • Familiar with cycling for transportation and passionate about the role bicycles can play in building happier, healthier and more connected communities.
  • Flexible and able to adapt to the peaks and flows of seasonal programs. 

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:

  • Relevant bachelor degree or higher, or equivalent demonstrated knowledge.  
  • 3+ years of relevant experience
  • Proven experience planning and implementing a project or program from start to finish, which stayed within budget and achieved intended outcomes.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and intercultural competency; works positively as part of an inter-agency collaborative team.
  • Experience with volunteer recruitment, training and management.
  • Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills 
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, volunteers and staff
  • Committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Exceptional time management and organizational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities 
  • Competency with computer software including Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Current criminal record check regarding working with vulnerable populations, or willingness to obtain.

Bonus points for:

  • Lived experience as an immigrant newcomer, extensive immersion within another culture(s), and/or experience working with immigrant and refugee communities.
  • Facilitation experience, in particular with diverse audiences.  
  • Commitment to and enjoyment of bicycling in the city.
  • Ability to capture photos and videos to support program promotion and reporting.
  • Experience working in a non-profit organization.
  • Some experience with staff supervision and task delegation.

Perks:

  • 3 weeks vacation and an additional 5 wellness days annually 
  • Competitive extended health and dental benefits after 3 months
  • Flexible hours and time off in lieu
  • Basic Computer setup 
  • $500 towards your home office set up and $25 a month towards internet costs whilst we work remotely (after a 3 month waiting period) 
  • A supportive and inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds and identities are welcome 

Position Details: This is a 5-day/week salaried position (35 hours/week) with compensation of $25-$28/hour.  This position involves occasional evening or weekend availability for communication with program participants or event coordination. Anticipated start day is in July but program funding and timing are still unconfirmed. This is a fixed-term employee position until Feb 2024. All HUB staff are temporarily working remotely due to COVID-19, but may return to a part-time or full-time shared office in the coming months. In the meantime, staff must be reasonably available for in-person meetings and events in Metro Vancouver (per public health authority guidelines).  It is expected that the applicant has a personal cell phone and reliable home internet connection that can be used for work purposes.

How To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume (in one PDF document) to jobs@bikehub.ca with “Bike Mentor Manager Application” as the subject line. Please ensure the file name follows the convention: “Bike Mentor_Firstname_Lastname.pdf”. 

Deadline: Applications are being accepted until June 13, 2021, however they will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Please apply ASAP to ensure you are considered.  

We thank all the applicants for your interest. Only those shortlisted will be contacted for an initial video call interview.