Volunteer Coordinator

Position Title: Volunteer Coordinator

Location: National Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience (NC-CIPSeR), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON (Remote opportunities available)

Position Type: Volunteer

Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension

About the Role

At NC-CIPSeR, we believe in fostering meaningful work and meaningful relationships. As the Volunteer Coordinator, you will lead the coordination of all volunteer activity, while also overseeing co-op students, interns, and field placements. This multifaceted role is vital to shaping the next generation of Canada’s critical infrastructure workforce by connecting education, mentorship, and real-world impact. You’ll ensure that all contributors—whether volunteers or students—are thoughtfully onboarded, well-supported, and meaningfully engaged in projects that matter.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Advisory Panel, and project leads, you will manage onboarding, mentorship pairings, and project assignments, all while helping to cultivate an inclusive, high-performing, and mission-aligned ecosystem at the Centre.

Why It Matters

At NC-CIPSeR, we believe in building meaningful work and meaningful relationships—and that starts with our volunteers. As the Volunteer Coordinator, you will hold one of the most essential roles at the Centre. Volunteers, co-op students, interns, and field placement participants are the driving force behind much of our work. Without them, our mission would stall. Your leadership will ensure they are not only supported but empowered to thrive.

This role bridges mentorship, education, and impact. You’ll coordinate onboarding, match people to meaningful projects, and maintain the rhythm of a thriving volunteer ecosystem. Working closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Advisory Panel, and project leads, you’ll help build and sustain the community that keeps NC-CIPSeR moving forward. The success of our research, outreach, and innovation depends on the care, coordination, and commitment this position provides.

Responsibilities

• Volunteer Program Development & Oversight: Coordinate the full lifecycle of volunteer engagement—from intake, onboarding, training, and placement to ongoing check-ins and recognition. Maintain and refine internal processes, forms, and communications to support a smooth and consistent experience for all participants.
• Mentorship & Placement Alignment: Match volunteers, co-op students, and interns with appropriate research teams, projects, or mentors based on interest, experience, and skill development goals. Support skip-level check-ins and mentor feedback processes to ensure program quality and growth.
• University, Government & Industry Liaison: Serve as the point of contact for Carleton and other partner universities’ co-op offices and internship programs. Build and nurture external relationships with stakeholders seeking placement or research opportunities for their students.
• Knowledge Management & Tracking: Maintain a roster of active participants, project involvement, and outcomes. Support the development of reports, case studies, and highlights that showcase the impact of the volunteer and co-op programs.

Qualifications

• Experience in program coordination, volunteer management, or student placement, preferably in a non-profit, research, or academic environment.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple timelines and workstreams.
• A collaborative and people-first approach, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• An understanding of critical infrastructure, emergency management, or cybersecurity (an asset, but not required).
• Commitment to mentorship, education, and public good.

What You’ll Gain

• Purpose-Driven Leadership Experience: Play a central role in shaping Canada’s future leaders in critical infrastructure protection, security, and resilience. Your coordination will have a lasting impact across sectors and institutions.
• Professional Growth: Develop high-level coordination, mentorship, and program management skills in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. This role offers exposure to academia, government, and industry partnerships.
• National and Global Networks: Connect with thought leaders, advisors, and practitioners from across Canada and around the world. You’ll be part of a growing, respected community addressing real-world challenges.
• Recognition and Visibility: Gain recognition for your leadership in an emerging and essential field. As a key member of the NC-CIPSeR team, you may be invited to contribute to workshops, publications, or presentations.
• A Meaningful Role in Something Bigger: You won’t just be managing volunteers—you’ll be empowering a movement. Without volunteers, NC-CIPSeR doesn’t exist. Your work will directly contribute to building a safer, smarter, and more resilient Canada.

Steps to the Application Process

Joining NC-CIPSeR is a structured and supportive process designed to set you up for success. From your initial application through to orientation and project assignment, each step is intentional—ensuring you understand our mission, meet foundational requirements, and are fully prepared to contribute meaningfully. Once completed, you’ll be matched with a mentor and begin your journey on a project that aligns with your skills and interests. This process helps us maintain a high standard of engagement, professionalism, and impact across everything we do.

• Application
• References check
• Privacy & Confidentiality, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy and Guidelines
• AODA training (online and free)
• Workplace training (online and free)
• Volunteer Agreement – tailored and signed (only after all other admin has been completed)
• Volunteer Orientation
• Mentor Assigned and Project Assigned

To Apply

To get started, please complete our application form through the NC-CIPSeR Application Portal. Be sure to select Volunteer Coordinator as the position of interest when completing your application. You’ll be asked to answer a few brief questions, upload your CV, provide reference details, and share why you’re interested in working with us. This helps us get to know you and understand how your skills and interests align with our mission.

About Carleton University

Located in Ottawa, Carleton is an innovative teaching and research institution with a tradition of leading change. Internationally recognized academics, staff, and researchers engage more than 31,000 students in over 100 programs of study. Carleton has long been known for promoting research excellence and connectedness and is involved in partnerships around the globe. With strong leadership, it enjoys a healthy financial position and our proximity to government and cultural institutions, media, and a thriving knowledge economy make Carleton and Ottawa a great place to work, learn, and live. Our picturesque campus is fully accessible and, along with award-winning student services, Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities has been heralded as the gold standard for disability support services in Canada. Learn more about our university and the city of Ottawa at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/.

Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to: women and gender equity-seeking groups; racialized individuals; Indigenous Peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation and/or expression. Furthermore, Carleton understands that career paths vary and interruptions will not prejudice the assessment process. We invite you to review our revitalized Indigenous strategy, Kinàmàgawin at https://carleton.ca/indigenousinitiatives/cu_file/kinamagawin/ and visit our Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at http://carleton.ca/equity for information about our commitment to leadership in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Accessibility is a university strategic priority and applicants selected for an interview who require accommodations are invited to contact us as soon as possible to ensure that appropriate arrangements may be made.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.

Application Deadline:

We accept applications on a rolling basis to accommodate the availability of our volunteers.

This volunteer and mentorship opportunity not only allows you to contribute to vital national security efforts but also offers a platform to influence and shape the future leaders of critical infrastructure protection. Join us in our commitment to safeguarding Canada’s critical infrastructure.

Join Us

This is more than a job opportunity; it’s a chance to contribute to a safer, more resilient Canada. By joining our team, you’ll be at the heart of a national endeavor to protect and secure our critical infrastructure against the threats of tomorrow. Your work will empower informed decision-making, drive innovation, and shape the future of how we assess and think about the most pressing threats and hazards.