Volunteer Instructor/Facilitator – Job Description
Connect4Life is seeking a passionate, creative, and community-minded Volunteer Instructor/Facilitator to deliver established educational curricula across our core program areas. This role is ideal for an individual well-versed in accessibility and inclusive instruction, responsible for guiding learning activities and creating a supportive, barrier-free environment for participants of all abilities across Canada.
Position Overview
- Position Type: Volunteer Instructor/Facilitator
- Commitment: One-year commitment with opportunity to renew
- Format: Virtual and community-based participation
- Reports to: CEO, and collaborates with volunteers and placement students
- Time Commitment: 3–7 hours a week (varies based on program schedule)
- Scope: Supports national educational and skill-building initiatives such as: Life Skills (Skills4Life), Public Speaking, Connect4Wellness, Financial Literacy, and related initiatives.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Program Facilitation & Teaching
- Deliver and facilitate regular program sessions using established curricula, session plans, and course materials.
- Lead engaging virtual and in-person learning activities, discussions, and skill-building exercises aligned with program objectives.
- Foster a welcoming, respectful, and empowering learning environment that encourages confidence, self-expression, and peer connection.
Accessibility & Universal Design
- Apply accessibility practices and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles across all taught sessions.
- Adapt facilitation methods and pacing in real time to accommodate diverse learning styles, communication modes, and accessibility requirements.
- Utilize accessible session tools and features, including clear typography, visual descriptions, live captioning, and plain language delivery.
- Proactively identify and eliminate learning barriers in collaboration with program staff.
Student Engagement & Support
- Support participants during sessions by providing constructive feedback, encouragement, and guidance.
- Collaborate with co-instructors, job coaches, volunteers, and program staff to ensure continuous and coordinated learning.
- Maintain responsiveness to participant needs and escalate any complex support requirements or safety concerns to program staff.
Program Evaluation & Improvement
- Track participant attendance and complete basic session logs or progress documentation.
- Participate in facilitator orientation, briefings, and ongoing training sessions.
- Collect participant feedback and offer insights to program staff to continuously enhance accessibility and curriculum quality.
Skills and Qualifications
- Strong knowledge and practical experience with accessibility standards, adaptive instructional techniques, and inclusive group moderation.
- Proven background in teaching, workshop facilitation, training, or group instruction (virtual or in-person).
- Background or education in accessibility studies, education, social services, community development, or a related field.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex topics in clear, plain language.
- Comfort and technical proficiency using virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and accessible tech features.
- Strong organizational skills, dependability, and professional reliability.
- Shared commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and community empowerment.
Preferred Experience
- 1–3+ years of experience in teaching, facilitating, training, or instructional delivery (academic, professional, or volunteer experience accepted)
- Formal training or certification in accessibility, adult education, or inclusive facilitation is considered a strong asset
- Demonstrated experience working with persons with disabilities or lived experience within the disability community
- Previous volunteer or work experience within a non-profit organization
Commitment
This is a one-year volunteer commitment with the possibility of renewal. The Volunteer Facilitator / Instructor will play a vital role in helping Connect4Life deliver high-quality, barrier-free educational programming and continue creating inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities across Canada.
