ACO NextGen is currently seeking several students, recent graduates or emerging professionals with an interest in heritage to join us on the ACO Executive Board until 2022. All activities will be virtual until otherwise safe to do so. The following positions are available (details below):

  1. ACO NextGen Vice Chair
  2. Director of Public Outreach
  3. Director of Social Media
  4. Program & Event Coordinator

Previous experience sitting on a board is not necessary, however applicants should provide examples of taking initiative or acting in a leadership role. Demonstrated experience relevant to the roles outlined below is preferred, but not required.

Members of the board will be responsible for attending meetings (approximately once per month) and taking the lead on their respective duties, which require a varying time commitment throughout the year. These are volunteer positions and therefore unpaid. However, this is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills, take ownership over projects and build a professional network within the heritage industry.

In each case, the requirements a candidate must fulfill to become a NextGen executive are as follows: 

  • Be interested in heritage and in creating opportunities for people to engage with it
  • Self-identifying as a student or emerging professional (need not be in the heritage field)
  • Have or will have an up-to-date ACO membership (easily acquired, if they don’t have one) 

Architectural conservation requires the skills and knowledge of many fields, including architecture, history, cultural studies, urban planning, photography, interior design, landscape architecture, art history, sustainable design,  archaeology, civil engineering, museum studies, geography, architectural theory, conservation studies, and more. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

We also strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all genders and sexually diverse communities and people with intersectional identities.

To apply, submit your resume, position(s) of choice and a 200-300 word statement of interest to aconextgens@gmail.com before 11:59pm on Sunday, September 20th. Please contact us if you have any questions and we would be happy to speak with you. We look forward to reading your application!

  1. ACO NextGen Vice Chair

The person in this role will support the Chair in planning and running meetings and co-ordinating Board affairs.

ACO NextGen Meetings: Notify members of committee meetings and create a record of all meetings for NextGen files. On occasion, in the absence of the Chair, lead NextGen meetings and facilitate discussions. On occasion, in the absence of the Chair, attend monthly ACO Executive Committee and Council meetings, and provide a verbal report on NextGen activities.

Outreach & Social Media: Actively reach out to professionals, emerging professionals and students in the heritage preservation industry to expand the ACO NextGen network.

Programs & Events: Consult on the creation of an annual NextGen program and event cycle, including the Job Shadow and Design Charrette Provide support in planning and leading NextGen programs & events. 

2. Director of Public Outreach

The person in this role will lead initiatives to build community within ACO NextGen, including leading the NextGen Blog and publication strategy and other communications.

Outreach Strategy: Develop an outreach strategy, in collaboration with the Director of Programs and Events, and in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair, and review at year-end. Explore and plan new methods of outreach (lectures, fundraisers, additional social media outlets, etc.) to facilitate networking and expand membership. Oversee development of blog in coordination with Director of Social Media.

Assist ACO NextGen Chair & Vice Chair with public outreach to expand our network of professionals, emerging professionals and students in the heritage preservation industry.

Social Media Strategy: Support Director of Social Media in developing NextGen social media presence.

3. Director of Social Media

This person will oversee the NextGen social media, including planning for aesthetic quality, content and news, and creating initiatives to include and highlight NextGen members.

Outreach & Social Media: Update ACO NextGen social media pages on a daily basis with engaging Ontario-based heritage news, upcoming event information and relevant job postings, in association with Director of Public Outreach and other Executives.

Post calls for Program & Event Coordinators and other volunteers, including social media or blog contributors, and promote NextGen activities.

4. Program & Event Coordinator

This person will support event planning and other ACO NextGen programs, such as awards, as necessary.

Event support: Supports Director of Programs and Events in ACO programming and/or event planning. Under Covid-19, the Program & Event Coordinator will assist in planning events that meet government guidelines, either virtual or socially distant, should circumstances allow. This will include strategizing our two annual events, the Charrette and the Job Shadow.

Responsibilities under normal circumstances include: site/venue selection, scheduling, assuring proper event permitting and insurance, collaborating with program and/or event partners, correspondence, arranging resources (such as catering, supplies, presenters, etc.), volunteer management, managing ticketing and event sign-in

Recruitment: Utilize events as membership recruitment opportunities by adding participants to ACO mailing lists and social media outlets. Post event: create event debrief document that including, but not limited to: event name, description, partners (names and numbers), participants (names and numbers).

Thank you for your application. We look forward to speaking with you!