Based in Montreal, KlezKanada is a leading institution in the world of Yiddish culture and Jewish music. In addition to numerous concerts, workshops, and other events throughout the year in Montreal and online, KlezKanada’s flagship program is the annual Summer Retreat at a Laurentian mountain camp in the Lanaudière region, an immersive residential retreat for students, artists, families, and more, attended by a diverse array of people from all over the world. KlezKanada has also expanded its programming to meet the digital moment, creating events of the highest calibre with global reach rooted in community feeling and cultural richness.

KlezKanada is seeking a motivated individual to join our small team to coordinate the new volunteer program at our in-person Summer Retreat. As part of a small and highly collaborative team, the ideal candidate will aid in building a rapidly growing cultural organization and contribute to a dynamic and diverse artistic community.

Reporting to: Administrative Coordinator

Core Duties

Before the Retreat

  • Coordinate volunteer selection and scheduling
  • Create and maintain volunteer database, including data entry and spreadsheet maintenance
  • Communicate clearly, promptly, and professionally with volunteer applicants and selected volunteers
  • Work closely with the programming, logistics, and kitchen team leaders to assign and schedule volunteers

During the Retreat

  • Coordinate and run a volunteer orientation
  • Manage the volunteer schedule onsite during the Retreat, supervising volunteer shifts and ensuring that volunteers know where they need to be and when and checking in to see that tasks are completed
  • Work closely with various team leaders (logistics, programming, kitchen) during the Retreat to ensure that their volunteer needs are being met, re-assign volunteers as necessary
  • Maintain record of volunteer attendance
  • Work closely with the Ombudsperson to resolve any interpersonal issues related to volunteer work
  • Build and maintain relationships with volunteers

After the Retreat

  • Coordinate volunteer debrief, including creation and execution of a volunteer survey
  • Contribute to post-Retreat evaluation process with all Retreat staff

Other Tasks

  • Attend regular festival planning meetings when necessary
  • Other duties as appropriate

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

  • Familiarity with KlezKanada and its programs, including attendance at the in-person Summer Retreat
  • Advanced proficiency in English (written and spoken) is essential; knowledge of other languages (e.g. French, Yiddish, Russian) is an asset, but not required
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and a keen attention to detail
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to work with and interact with KlezKanada’s very diverse community of attendees, artists, supporters, vendors, volunteers, and others
  • The ability to work well autonomously, as well as part of a small team
  • A strong sense of initiative with the ability to follow through and complete projects without direct supervision
  • Strong computer skills, especially with Google’s G-Suite office applications
  • Creativity, a sense of humour, and a spirit of resourcefulness & adventure
  • A love for arts and music and an interest in Jewish culture and the Yiddish language
  • A valid driver's license and access to a vehicle is an asset, but not required

Remote Working
This position will be a remote working position, although the person in this position is welcome to work from our offices in downtown Montreal. Attendance at the Summer Retreat, whether online or in person, is required.

Diversity & Equity
KlezKanada and its community highly value diversity and equity. As such we strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates from any religious, ethnic, linguistic, or cultural background, and of any gender identity or sexual orientation.

Salary & Benefits
This is a part-time position with an average expectation of 15 hours per month starting in May and leading up to the Summer Retreat, with a full-time commitment required during our Summer Retreat, and a few hours in September for debrief and evaluation. The salary will be $3,000 CAD.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV to David Moss, Executive Director, at david.moss@klezkanada.org. The priority deadline is March 31st, 2023.