Each community has a local coordinator. The coordinators are hired and trained to help facilitate the most optimal experience for their group of participants. The coordinators are responsible for promoting the program to students and hosts / host families. Once applications begin to roll in, these are the members of our staff who will most likely interview youth candidates and the hosting members of their household at their homes. With the assistance of their supervisors, the coordinators will ensure that criteria is carefully considered before making their selection. Once homestays and participants are determined, local coordinators identify appropriate work placements for the students. While we have a wide range of employment partners in the community, we rely on the local coordinator to liaise between the participant and employer. An agenda of activities is organized with the leadership of our field staff. Participants and their local coordinator will collaborate on the activities portion of the program as well as choosing a community project that enables the team to give back to their community. Regularly checking in with all parties involved in our program is one of the main responsibilities of the local coordinator. It is our intention that, with regular, in most cases, weekly, check ins we will be able to deal with any concerns in the most timely manner.

The coordinator is key in helping the youth navigate through the complexities of their new interpersonal relationships and ensuring that all aspects of the program are operating in a safe and respectful manner. Local coordinators will be part of our travel chaperone team, accompanying youth during their travel to their summer community and home afterwards or assisting at designated travel points.

Local coordinators are our wonderful field staff on the ground without whom, this program would not exist! In some ways, they are not just staff, but participants themselves. One of the core requirements of a local coordinator is that he or she is a post secondary student. While it is true that we train our local coordinators for their role in the Summer Work Student Exchange Program, we do expect potential candidates for this position to possess some, if not all, of these skills and attributes:

• Strong leadership and presentation skills
• Conflict resolution and problem solving skills
• Enjoy working with youth
• Able to work independently
• Be readily accessible to participants during the 6 week exchange period
• Have internet access for the duration of employment
• Have a valid drivers license and have access to a vehicle
• Have valid First Aid / CPR certification before the start date of the exchange, to remain current throughout the duration of the exchange
• Share core YMCA values

*All applicants please be advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a police records check.

If you are currently enrolled in post secondary studies and, this job sounds like an exciting challenge that is perfect for you, please apply!

EMPLOYMENT TERM

The coordinator work period is from the beginning of April to the third week of August. Coordinators will work 0.25 FTE (full-time equivalent) during the month of April (approximately 10 hours/week), 0.6 FTE during the month of May (approximately 23 hours/week), and full-time from the middle of June to the third week of August.

WORK SCHEDULE

Although their day to day schedules are flexible, coordinators must plan on working every weekend, but one during the program duration. Coordinators work mostly during the evenings and weekends with the participants, but arrange mutually convenient check in times with employers and hosts / host families. Local coordinators will establish their own schedules with their respective Regional Coordinators.

Coordinators are considered to be on call during the six-week exchange in order to deal with emergencies, if they arise, within their communities. However, we do have a multi-tiered support system for staff and ample coverage will be provided if the local coordinator is temporarily unavailable.

SALARY

Starting at $465 / week, pro-rated during the part - time period.

JOB DESCRIPTION

APPLICATION