Competitions Coordinator

About this position

Skills Ontario is a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting skills trades and technology as viable first choice career options through a variety of programs and events. We are looking to add a Competition Coordinator to our team!

As a member of the Competition Department, the Competitions Coordinator will act as support for the Competitions Department in the planning of competition related events and programming. The focus of this position will be to organize select contests at the provincial Skills Ontario Competition, assist with general event logistics as they relate to the Skills Ontario Competition, and lead other programs such as Junk Drawer Races, and shipping requirements.

The Skills Ontario Competition is the largest in Canada with over 70 contest, 2400+ competitors, almost 40,000 spectators and $11M in-kind donations. The competition department runs and organizes this event with it’s volunteers, stakeholders and partners.

The Competitions Coordinator will often be in contact with stakeholders, requiring this individual to possess a high level of diplomacy and outstanding communication skills. Attention to detail is integral to this role, as is a strong understanding of all programs and competitions offered by Skills Ontario.

Competition Logistics

Responsible for the following elements with regards to planning the Skills Ontario Competition:

• Complete organization of select contests in coordination with Technical Chairs (volunteer leads) for the Skills Ontario Competition.

• Meetings with volunteers and stakeholders, review/create/update of floor plans and contest specific documentation and working with translation for bilingualism, gathering contest specific requirements including gas, power, water, etc, for quotes, and ordering material and/or securing in-kind donations

• Liaise with Technical Committee members of assigned contests, and recruit new Technical Committee Chairs and judges as required; which may include assistance in onboarding

• Arrange and act as main contact for EMS/Police/Fire Extinguisher rentals (contracted service) during the Skills Ontario Competition

• Securing and scheduling shipping logistics for the Skills Ontario Competition of some in-kind materials and purchases, as well as owned equipment (transport trucks, flatbeds, rental vans, etc)

• Skills Ontario Warehouse; including assistance of loading and unloading with contracted services of warehouse items for transport to and from

• Coordinating externally from their location to the event venue and back

• Venue Loading Dock schedule and training for staff for dock schedule of the event

• Effective communication and handling of a large range of skilled trade and technology volunteers

• Secure and organize leads for Elementary Workshops, coordinate with Programs Department for advertising and registration

Administrative Duties

• Act as a main support for other administrative department duties (ie documents, scopes, procedures, binder stuffing, etc) requiring updating/completion for the successful planning

• Find and coordinate with existing and new vendors/suppliers (example: movers, appliance technician, gravel and sod, metal, etc.

• Secure supplies for programming from in-kind partners and/ or purchase from suppliers

• Reviewing and keeping up to date the position’s annual critical path document

• Courier logistics and arrangements for overall department requirements

• Assist with Team Ontario preparation/follow up where required

• Mind to the Skills Wear Store and arrangement of semi annual discounts

Warehouse Lead

• Inventory control, placement and organization of warehouse space, seacans, and off site location warehousing of equipment and materials;

• Receiving for in-house warehouse, using a forklift/ pump cart/ trolly, for competitions and other departments, as required

• Plan and organize the floor space for storage and movement of goods and materials

• Comfortable to work and maneuver in a tight space (seacans)

• Arranging forklift inspections and maintenance with 3^rd party

• Secondary point of contact for other building arrangements (example: contractors)

• Opportunity for employee representative of the Joint Health and Safety Committee

Junk Drawer Races Lead - Virtual

• Logistics, planning and facilitation of competition events across the province

• Creation, updating and testing of program activities, tied to the curriculum

• Establishing and updating program guidelines and rules

• Liaise with school boards and teachers for communication, advertising, updates and answering questions

• Facilitate information sessions with the stakeholders (Judges, contacts, teachers)

• Secure and train staff and volunteers/ judges for events; regionals and Championships

• Arrange surveys and calculate and supply metric

• While currently this role is the lead for the Junk Drawer Races, depending on the landscape of virtual versus in-person, this program could be relinquished from this role potentially and resume to the lead for Cardboard Boat Races, which has the same responsibilities as above, but to also include:

• Organizing the event materials to ship to staff and courier logistics of cardboard to venues across the province

• Arrange and facilitate booking and schedule of venues (gyms and s pools), along with catering and other 3^rd party contractors (garbage bins)

• All other duties as assigned 

Requirements:

• Post-Secondary Education

  • Asset, but not required: Event Management, Administration, Business, Skilled Trade, or Teaching/ Education/ Curriculum background

• Shipping logistics experience an asset 

• Knowledge of skilled trades and technology careers is an asset

• Ability to work from home, and from the head office (Waterloo) when required

• Be fluent in English, both oral and written

  • fluency in French is an asset, but not required

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Knowledge of computers and of basic software, including Outlook and Microsoft

• graphic design/ marketing experience an asset to assist in program advertising (adobe, videos, photo shop, etc

• Occasional heavy and repetitive lifting/carrying/stacking and physical labour such as pump carts and trolley maneuvering

• Standard- First Aid and CPR trained, or willing to obtain

• Forklift License, or willing to obtain

• Possess a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

• Provide a clean Criminal Record Check/ Vulnerable Screening Check

• Must be willing to travel when required, with occasional overnight stay

• Must be willing to work extended hours for lieu during certain periods of the year leading up to and during main event(s), when required

• Residence to be local to the head office (Waterloo)

While we appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Skills Ontario is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our organization and is an equal opportunity employer. Skills Ontario invites and encourages applications from all qualified candidates from equity-seeking groups, (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with exceptionalities, and LGBTQQIP2SA+ persons) who may contribute to further diversification of our organization.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Skills Ontario throughout the recruitment, selection process to applicants with exceptionalities.

At Skills Ontario, we are committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for all youth. As such, the selected candidate will be required to submit references and a vulnerable sector–criminal records check. All Skills Ontario staff will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID19 upon hiring.

For more information about Skills Ontario please visit: www.skillsontario.com

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter in a single PDF file to jgreen@skillsontario.com no later than Friday July 8^th, 2022. These documents should outline how the applicant is qualified for this role, and how their specific qualifications prepare them to further Skills Ontario’s mission.