Please consider me in your search for a Community Engagement Coordinator. I believe I am an excellent candidate for this position and address how I meet the qualifications and skills needed in the order that you have presented them.
Social Services degree or Humanities degree and/or experience working within the culture of the inner city and/or with people experiencing poverty or homelessness
I have an Education degree from the U of A and over 10 years of experience teaching primarily junior high, high school and adult students in Canada, Libya, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, the UAE and Japan.
In August 2021, I started work as a part-time janitor for Edmonton’s Mustard Seed downtown church center on 96th Street through Bissell Employment. Recognized for my hard work and dependability, I was offered and accepted a full-time, seasonal posting as a janitor at the Knox and Strathcona Baptist churches’ winter homeless shelters. This position ended in March, 2022.
Two+ years of related experience working with communities that are affected by poverty and homelessness considered an asset
Other relevant experience includes my years spent as a Residential Care Worker and Community Support Worker in Prince George. In both these cases, I worked with clients dealing with or physical or cognitive challenges, like autism and depression. In addition to providing counseling, my duties included cleaning, medication administration, client recreation and development activities, budgeting, grocery shopping, maintenance and meal planning and preparation. Most of these clients would have been homeless except for the housing provided by these organizations.
A demonstrated passion to be involved in ending homelessness
I believe we should be able to find ways to house everyone. I was shocked as a member of Edmonton’s Interfaith Society to receive an email, March 23rd, about a rally at the Alberta Legislature, on March 24th, to urge the UCP government to find ways to house the homeless AND that 400 people froze to death last winter.
Experience with public speaking particularly with children and leading groups in an engaging learning environment
As previously mentioned, I have over 10 years of experience speaking in front of young people and in designing lessons and activities for them. Here’s an acrylic on paper of two of my Libyan students.
My video application for the position of Traveling Ambassador for Air Transat demonstrates my ability to write, speak and produce material for an audience. And, hopefully, my sense of humor.
Strong interpersonal skills, public relations and group facilitation skills
The links provide samples of my work in public affairs and marketing at The University of Calgary and T-MAR Industries in Campbell River. I am very comfortable with all forms of language-based communications and have abilities in visual design (art, photography, video) and, to a lesser extent, music.
My group facilitation skills are demonstrated in this short video produced with my students in the UAE.
Excellent administrative, time management and organizational skills
I believe all the positions I have filled require these skills. One relevant example would be my years spent as a Licensed Property Manager, where, among my many duties, I screened renters; showed properties; conducted move in and move out inspections; contacted delinquent accounts; scheduled maintenance and updated databases.
Multitasking and flexibility a must in a fast-paced environment
My work in the Public Affairs Office of the U of C required the ability to respond to quickly unforeseen and sometimes negative events.
Proven ability to network and build strategic partnerships
An example would be my working with the staff at Timberspan Wood Products in Prince George to design and install an outdoor art installation, The Spirit of Prince George, 2015.
Competent with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Docs
I know my way around the “Office” and also have skills with WordPress, Illustrator, Photoshop and video editing programs.
Strong conflict resolution skills
My training for AiMHi in Prince George included a course in non-violent intervention, first-aid and food safe and my work in the Mustard Seed homeless shelters required my conflict resolution skills. I also completed courses with my current employer in safety, workplace harassment and defensive driving.
Self-motivated and ability to work independently
My website www.jamesmillercreative.com demonstrates my self-motivation and my ability to work independently. One relevant item would be my submission to build an artwork commemorating Prince George’s Centennial (parts one and two).
I have a vehicle and would be willing to upgrade my insurance coverage to the level required.
After my position ended at the Mustard Seed homeless shelters, I joined Northern Horizon (a division of the Dexterra Group) as a Janitor for Alberta fire-base camps. When that seasonal posting ended, I completed Energy Safety Canada courses in basic safety, H2S Alive and AMA’s Defensive Driving Course to become an Industrial Janitor for Horizon North at the MEG Energy site in Conklin, AB. I recently accepted a position as a Second Cook at the MEG site.
My goal is to find a position in Edmonton that more effectively uses my creative and communicative abilities and I believe this position would do that. Accordingly, let me suggest we meet to discuss the contribution I could make to the Mustard Seed in filling the position of Community Engagement Coordinator.
Sincerely,
James Miller