Casual Instructor, After-School Program - Hamilton

Ymca Hbb; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation entitlements

Health benefits from day 1

Pension plan with up to 5% matching

Mental Health on Demand

Hybrid work arrangements

Discounts on YMCA programs

Staff health & fitness membership

Job summary

YMCA HBB is seeking Casual Instructors for After-School (BTB) in Hamilton, Ontario. You will supervise children in grades 1–5, delivering safe, age-appropriate activities and homework support in a community outreach setting.

Work is at BTB sites with a minimum of three days per week (2:15–5:30 pm) and mandatory Friday shifts. Benefits include health, pension, and staff YMCA memberships. Must have 6 months' experience and CPR/First Aid.

Qualifications

• 6 months’ experience working with children in direct program delivery.
• Enrollment in a post-secondary program in Child and Youth Studies, Recreation and Leisure, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with children of different abilities and vulnerable populations.
• Experience with diverse cultural/racial backgrounds and inclusivity.
• Ability to engage children with a child-centered, interest-based approach.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to work well independently and in a team.
• Valid First Aid and CPR-C AED training.
• Access to reliable transportation to Hamilton BTB sites and off-site meetings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, high-quality after-school programs in collaboration with staff.
• Design and implement child-centered activities aligned to development and academic goals.
• Submit weekly activity plans and daily documentation with accuracy.
• Provide homework support to Grades 1–5 if needed.
• Identify issues and escalate to supervisor/manager.
• Maintain program supplies and inventory.
• Attend staff training and professional development.
• Shift times typically 2:15 p.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday with Friday shifts required.

Skills

Child engagement

Time management

Communication

Problem-solving

Independence

Teamwork

First Aid/CPR

Transportation access

Education

Post-secondary program in Child & Youth Studies or related field

Job description

Location: Various BTB sites in Hamilton, Ontario

Department: Community Outreach

Work Hours: Up to 29 hours per week

No. of Vacancies: 06

Deadline to Apply: October 30, 2026

Why You’ll Love Working With Us: In addition to working with an amazing team in an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success, we offer the following benefits to eligible employees:

• Paid Vacation Entitlements that increase with seniority
• Paid Personal days and sick days
• A generous employer-paid Group Health benefit plan starting from day 1, with 3 flexible options to choose from
• A Defined Contribution Pension Plan with up to 5% employer matching
• Mental Health on Demand (MHOD) Program
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues
• Reduced rates for YMCA Child Care, Camp, and Child & Youth programs (subject to availability)
• Free staff YMCA Health & Fitness Memberships

Position Overview:

The Casual Instructor reports directly to the Area Supervisor, Beyond the Bell (BTB). This position is responsible for the supervision of children in grades 1 to 5, creating and delivering safe, age-appropriate after school programming designed to empower students to reach their full potential and succeed in their education. Casual Instructors are required to be available to work a minimum of three (3) days a week, Monday to Friday, with mandatory availability for Friday shifts. BTB is a Community Outreach program serving vulnerable populations in underserved communities, where educators provide learning enrichment activities to the children we serve.

This is a great opportunity for an individual with a high level of interest in working with the YMCA HBB as a charitable organization.

What You’ll Do:

• Deliver safe and quality programs for participants, in collaboration with other staff, to ensure compliance with established YMCA policies, procedures, best practices, and program standards.
• Design and implement child-centered and individualized activity plansthat meet the individual developmental needs of participants, and academic goals of the program.
• Complete and submit weekly activity plans and daily documentation with a focus on detail and accuracy.
• Provide homework support to children in grades 1-5 who are experiencing academic difficulties, as required.
• Identify problems and ensure issues are addressed by the appropriate supervisor/manager.
• Organize and maintain program supplies and inventory.
• Attend staff training and professional development activities, as required.
• This position requires availability to work a minimum of three (3) days a week between the hours of 2:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (shift times vary based on school location), Monday to Friday with mandatory availability for Friday shifts. Shifts are not guaranteed and are scheduled on an as needed basis.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to manage issues, concerns, and problems as they may arise is required.
• Programs are based out of a shared space within the school, therefore, requiring movement and set up of equipment on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis.

What You’ll Bring:

• A minimum of 6 months’ experience working with childrenin direct program delivery.
• Enrollment in a post-secondary program in Child and Youth Studies, Recreation and Leisure, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience working directly with children with different learning abilities and/or other special needs, and vulnerable populations.
• Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity.
• Ability to actively engage children, employing a child-centered and interest-based approach.
• Effective time management skills; must be able to plan and prioritize work assignments.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work well independently and in a team environment.
• Valid Intermediate/Standard First Aid and CPR-C AED training certificate is required.
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to commute to BTB sites located in Hamilton and as well as off-site meetings.

This position requires a commitment to the YMCA HBB mission and core values of: Inclusion, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as a commitment to building developmental assets in children and adults.

All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable persons will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire. Police Records Checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offence(s), if any, is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children; therefore, not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.

Organizational Overview

As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA HBB connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and healthy living. The YMCA HBB works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA HBB's determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility

The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.

We understand the social barriers preventing individuals from applying for open roles. We encourage those from the Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disabled communities to apply.

If you need any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People, Leadership and Culture Department (PLC) at [e-mail] .

Ready to Make a Difference? The YMCA is a charity that ignites the potential in people. #YSavesLives starts with building a strong community. If you’re passionate about people and excited to lead impactful initiatives, we want to hear from you!

Qualifications

Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Behaviors

Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work

Experience

Access to reliable transportation and ability to commute to BTB sites located in Hamilton and Burlington as well as off-site meetings.

6 months’ experience working with children in direct program delivery.

Experience working directly with children with different learning abilities and/or other special needs, and vulnerable populations.

Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity.

Ability to actively engage children, employing a child-centered and interest-based approach.