Community Engagement Specialist, The Diefenbaker Canada Centre
The Diefenbaker Canada Centre is recruiting for a full-time Community Engagement Specialist intern
for the period September 15, 2025, to March 31, 2026 (28 weeks). The hourly rate of pay is $20.
The Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC) is a unique facility. As Canada’s only Prime Ministerial museum in Western Canada, the DCC’s purpose is to help people make meaningful and personal connections to ideas of citizenship, leadership, and Canada’s role in the international community. Exhibitions hosted by the Diefenbaker Canada Centre emphasize the history and importance of such concepts as Canadian nationalism, political leadership, and symbolism. The DCC is committed to educating and engaging its visitors through programming relating to its mandate and permanent collections.
Saskatoon is at the heart of Saskatchewan and is located on Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. A city with a prolific arts and culture scene, there are many events, festivals, and tourist attractions to be enjoyed throughout the summer. The DCC is located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, just steps from the banks of the South Saskatchewan River and is connected to the Meewasin Trail, a 90 km walking trail that runs through the middle of the city. Find out more about Saskatoon at https://www.tourismsaskatoon.com/.
Primary Purpose and Nature of Work: Reporting to the Programs and Outreach Coordinator (POC) and the Curatorial, Collections, and Exhibits Manager (CCEM), with specialized training provided by the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy Communications and Marketing Specialist (CMS), the Community Engagement Specialist (CES) will gain professional experience and experiential learning associated with all aspects of museum operations related to visitor engagement, including exhibit, programming and event promotion, website design, and community outreach. The CES will learn about the development, delivery, and promotion of heritage-related programming, including curriculum-based education programs, exhibit-related tours, special events, and community outreach. These practical, transferable skills will allow the intern to discover career options in the heritage sector, increase their competencies, and prepare them for a career related to museology.
Education: Candidates must be a graduate of a college or university program, ideally in museology, education or fine arts.
Experience and Skills
The ideal candidate will:
- have experience working in a museum or heritage setting;
- possess the ability to follow directions;
- have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- be detail-oriented;
- have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently;
- be tactful, pleasant, and sensitive to the needs of others;
- work under time constraints and meet deadlines while working on multiple projects;
- have good attendance and be dependable;
- be flexible and adaptable and take initiative;
- have strong research skills and the ability to learn and retain information;
- have strong organizational skills and the ability to set and adhere to work priorities;
- be able to lift 25 lbs, climb ladders, work within 32-inch aisles, and do repetitive tasks with few breaks;
- be proficient with MS Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and knowledge of other programs; and applications related to heritage, such as collections database software; experience with Canva, social media platforms, Adobe Photoshop, and InDesign is beneficial
- Experience working with video-conferencing programs (Zoom, Microsoft Teams) would be considered an asset
- Experience delivering educational programming to and working with young audiences would be considered an asset
- Previous experience planning and attending community outreach events would be considered an asset
- The ability to communicate in French (both oral and written) would be considered an asset
This position requires flexibility and will include evening and weekend shifts. The applicant must be available to work during the week of February Break Camp (February 17-20, 2026).
This position is funded in large part through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage program, and all applicants must be registered in the YCW candidate pool and meet the current YCW-BCH eligibility criteria. An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
- are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
- are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
- are a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate)
Priority will be given to graduates who have not previously participated in YCW internship programs and who are unemployed or underemployed.
For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/careers-heritage-graduates.html.
To Apply
Applications will be considered beginning August 5, 2025, and will be accepted until the position is filled.
To apply, send the following information in a single PDF file to dcc-hr@usask.ca (note that the subject line of the email must state the position title, “Community Engagement Specialist”):
- Resume;
- Cover letter stating how you meet the qualifications, why this position appeals to you, and what you feel you can bring to the Diefenbaker Canada Centre team; and
- Names, titles, and contact information for three references.
Department: Diefenbaker Centre
Status: Term 28 weeks
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $20.00 per hour.
Posted Date: 7/9/2025
Closing Date: 8/19/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php
Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Yes
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan. 