Youth Services Coordinator
<strong>Overview<br><br></strong>This exciting role is one of two staff leads responsible for working collaboratively with youth, residents, youth-serving agencies, Neighbourhood Associations, and community stakeholders to ensure that young people in Kitchener have access to meaningful recreation and leisure opportunities, leadership development experiences, and civic engagement initiatives.<br><br>The Youth Services Coordinator provides leadership in the planning, development, coordination, and delivery of city-wide youth programs, services, events, and resources. Through strong partnerships, program development, and a commitment to service excellence, this role helps enhance opportunities for youth and positively impacts their overall well-being, inclusion, and community connectedness.<br><br><strong>Responsibilities<br><br></strong><ul><li>Consults and collaborates with youth, residents, youth-serving agencies, Neighbourhood Associations, community groups, and other stakeholders using a community development approach to identify needs, build partnerships, and enhance opportunities for young people.</li><li>Develops, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates high-quality youth programs, services, events, and initiatives that promote recreation and leisure participation, leadership development, civic engagement, and positive youth outcomes.</li><li>Oversees all aspects of program and event delivery, including program design, planning, implementation, evaluation, and supply management, marketing and promotion, stakeholder communication, facilitation, volunteer recruitment and support, and customer service.</li><li>Provides consultation, guidance, and expertise to Neighbourhood Associations, affiliated groups, community organizations, and internal City divisions to support the planning and delivery of youth-focused programs, services, initiatives, and corporate responses.</li><li>Develops, coordinates, and facilitates formal and informal training opportunities, resources, and capacity-building initiatives for City staff, related to positive youth development, youth engagement, and effective youth programming practices.</li><li>Supports the onboarding, training, coaching, and mentorship of youth program staff and youth volunteers, fostering a culture of engagement, leadership, and continuous learning.</li><li>Fosters meaningful opportunities for youth voice, participation, and leadership in program development, community initiatives, and civic engagement activities.</li><li>Represenst Youth Services as an active member of the Program and Resource Services Team, City working groups, interdepartmental initiatives, and community partnerships,, contributing to youth focused service delivery.</li><li>Performs administrative and operational duties associated with the Youth Services Coordinator role, including record management, reporting, and compliance with City policies and procedures.</li><li>Prepares reports, develops program resources, procedures, forms, manuals, and other documentation to support effective program delivery, evaluation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.</li><li>Performs other related duties as assigned.<br><br></li></ul>Education<br><br><ul><li>2-year diploma in a related field or 2 years in a specialized post-secondary program in a related field. <br><br></li></ul><strong>Experience</strong> <br><br><ul><li>Minimum 2 years of related experience including:</li><ul><li>Municipal recreation, leisure, community development, or youth services, including the planning, delivery, and evaluation of youth programs and initiatives.</li><li>Mentoring, training, and supporting young staff and volunteers.</li><li>Engaging youth through leadership development, recreation and leisure opportunities, volunteerism, civic engagement, and positive youth development initiatives.<br></li></ul></ul><strong>Additional Requirements<br><br></strong><ul><li>Valid MTO G class driver’s license in good standing and access to reliable personal transportation for the full duration of employment to travel to various locations across the City.</li><li>Provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check at your own expense as a condition of employment.</li><li>Flexible schedule as evening and weekend shifts will be required (with advance notice).<br><br></li></ul><strong>Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities<br><br></strong><ul><li>Demonstrated knowledge and practice in asset-based positive youth development theory, youth engagement, physical and emotional literacy, and youth services in the community. </li><li>Proven organization, customer services and planning skills. </li><li>An innovative and flexible thinker that understands and can respond to community trends with effective programs and services for youth. </li><li>Excellent interpersonal, communication and public relations skills. </li><li>Possesses conflict resolution and mediation skills and demonstrated experience problem solving. </li><li>Impactful facilitation, leadership, community development and team building skills. </li><li>Demonstrated program research, development, implementation, and evaluation skills. </li><li>Working knowledge of risk management practices, policies and procedures for youth programming in a municipal setting. </li><li>Awareness of social issues (housing, immigration, employment, racism, ageism etc) and the socio-demographic trends associated with youth. </li><li>Demonstrated ability to work directly with young people, especially marginalized or at-risk groups, and demonstrate confidence and sensitivity relating to young people and their needs. </li><li>Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and program registration systems.</li><li>Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.</li></ul>