Support Coordinator (Youth Exchange Program)

YMCA of Greater Toronto Posted: November 30, 2021
Expires: December 15, 2021

Description

Why work for our Y?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great work place committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. Guided by our shared values — kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism — the YMCA provides thousands of employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities.

Nature & Scope:

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. For six weeks over the summer, the exchange takes 16- and 17-year-old youth (from Canada) to another province where they stay with a local host, hold a paid job, and practice their second official language. The youth also participate in weekly program activities organized by the Local Coordinator in their new community.

Support Coordinators provide leadership and support to a team of Local Coordinators. First, they will assist the Regional Coordinator with hiring the Local Coordinators, while also widely promoting the program to youth and community organizations (January-March). Then they will support Local Coordinators with the recruitment, selection, and pre-departure preparation of the outbound youth participants, while also securing host and job placements locally (March-June). Finally, once the exchange starts, they will support the inbound youth participants’ experience by helping them navigate change and address conflicts as they arise, and they will support the Local Coordinators in delivering a full program of activities (July-August).

Support Coordinators must be full-time post-secondary students. Successful candidates will have had previous experience working with youth and/or experiential education programs, possess strong communication and organizational skills, and be highly reliable individuals. They will have insight into Canada’s diversity and value an active approach to social inclusion.

Responsibilities:

Assists the Regional Coordinator with the hiring process for Local Coordinators and regional training sessions; provides ongoing leadership, often remotely, to a small team of Local Coordinators.

Promotes the program in communities, and supports the selection of youth participant and host families, recruitment of employment partners, planning and delivery of program activities, budgeting of funds, and management of conflicts.

Maintains regular communication with and acts as a bridge between the Regional Coordinator and the Local Coordinators on their team; monitors compliance with regional/national program directives.

Builds positive relationships with youth exchange participants, host families, employers, and other local community partners; visits program sites and various stakeholders during the exchange.

Responds to emergencies as they arise. As such, must be accessible to the Regional Coordinator and to the Local Coordinators at all times during the exchange, except for designated days off.

Supports participants’ travel between provinces, by either: chaperoning participants to their host or home communities, at the start and end of the program; or providing logistical support at departure points (train station, airport).

Writes a comprehensive report at the end of the summer summarizing the program’s results.

Fulfills administrative duties (e.g. documentation, expense claims) in a timely and efficient manner.

May be required to assume the role of Local Coordinator in situations that warrant it, as assessed by the Regional Coordinator.

Demonstrates appropriate behaviours in line with our Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the Association.  Represents the YMCA and the Association in a professional manner.

Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.

Understands the importance of the volunteer-staff partnership and integrates the value of philanthropy and volunteerism in dealings with staff, volunteers and members.

Other duties as assigned.

Mandatory Training:

 Three mandatory training sessions will take place.  The first will occur in January.  The second session will take place in March and the third in late April/early May. Exact dates will be confirmed by the Regional Coordinator at the time of hiring.  Trainings will be a combination of virtual and in-person where possible.

Location, Period of Employment, and Salary:

Positions are available throughout Canada.  Support Coordinators must live within their assigned region.

Support Coordinators will work 15 hours/week from January 10 to April 30, increasing to 24 hours/week from May 1 to mid-June (date to be confirmed), and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) until mid- August. (Dates to be confirmed).  The starting salary is $17.67 per hour.

Eligibility:                                  

  • Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program
  • Available days, evenings, and weekends – must be willing to make the Support Coordinator position your primary professional commitment during the period of full-time employment
  • Have internet access for the duration of employment
  • Have valid driver’s licence and access to an insured vehicle; willing to provide a driver’s abstract
  • Have valid Emergency First Aid/CPR certification before the start of the exchange
  • Able to attend and support 3 mandatory paid trainings in January, March and April/May

Qualifications:

  • One year of experience with the program as a Local Coordinator, or other relevant experience such as working with youth, doing community engagement, leading experiential learning programs, etc.
  • Strong leadership and ability to motivate/organize a team
  • Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  • Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work independently, outside of an office setting, and without immediate supervision
  • Ability to manage a budget and perform administrative tasks
  • Commitment to working in a socially inclusive environment responding with sensitivity and personal awareness to the diverse needs of members including visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity
  • The position requires the following Core Association Competencies. Advanced competence in: Effective Interpersonal Communications; Ethics and Self-management; Being Member Focused; Being Results Focused; Teamwork and Collaboration; Valuing Diversity and Social Inclusion. Fundamental competence in: Relationship Building and Partnering.

Assets:

  • Preference will be given to candidates able to communicate in French and English
  • Prior participation in, or experience with, an exchange program
  • Prior training in mental health support and suicide intervention (e.g. MHFA, ASIST, etc.)
  • Facilitation skills related to leading experiential education activities
  • Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ-positive, critical disability, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice

For more information and to apply,

Please visit http://summer-work.com/

Applications deadline: applications accepted on rolling basis

Job posting # 0803

 Job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required.

 If you are hired, prior to your start date and as a condition of your employment, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical or other Human Rights Code-related exemption.

 The YMCA of Greater Toronto values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.