PlayON Instructor

YMCA of Greater Toronto; Pickering; On-site; CAD 21,468,862 - 30,576,865; Part time

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Toronto is looking for part-time instructors to join our PlayON after-school recreation program across various locations, including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering. Instructors will promote physical education, nutrition, and wellness for kids aged 4-14.

Successful candidates will ensure a safe and engaging environment while building relationships with participants and contributing to community-focused programming.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and youth is an asset.
• Demonstrated interest in recreational sports.
• Ability to build rapport with participants and staff.

Responsibilities

• Ensure fun, safe, and healthy experiences for participants.
• Deliver diverse recreation-based programming.
• Monitor safety and maintain cleanliness in activity areas.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

Standard First Aid/CPR-C certification

Job description

Rate of Pay: $18.89/hr – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package!

Location: Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering – Multiple Locations

Employment Type: Contract Part-Time Hourly – until June 18, 2027

Number of Vacancies: 15

Anticipated Start Date: September 8, 2026

Deadline to Apply: August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Schedule and Locations

• Oshawa – Dr. C.F. Cannon PS – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2:30–6:00 PM
• Oshawa – Glen Street PS – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2:45–6:00 PM
• Oshawa – Village Union PS – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2:45–6:00 PM
• Oshawa – Woodcrest PS – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2:45–6:00 PM
• Oshawa – Mary Street Community School – Monday–Friday 2:45–5:15 PM
• Oshawa – Hillsdale PS – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 2:45–6:00 PM
• Whitby – Colonel J.E. Farewell PS – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00–6:00 PM
• Whitby – Bellwood PS – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00–6:00 PM
• Whitby – Dr. Robert Thornton PS – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00–6:00 PM
• Ajax – Lester B. Pearson PS – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00–6:00 PM
• Pickering – Bayview Heights PS – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:30–6:00 PM
• Pickering – Fairport Beach PS – Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:45–6:00 PM

Be the Spark!

Join our passionate team of instructors and help us to achieve great things in our community!

PlayON is an after‑school recreation program serving youth 4‑14 years old (Grades K‑8) in high‑priority neighbourhoods. The objective of this program focuses on physical education, nutrition, and wellness programming for the participants. Programming is created and facilitated by the Team Leaders and Instructors. In nutrition, there is an emphasis on cooking and hands‑on learning in the kitchen. Indoor and outdoor play is mandatory for physical education, and all games are modified for age and skill level. Wellness introduces concepts such as self‑care, mental wellbeing, diversity, etc. in a play‑based way to the participants.

Responsibilities

• Take action to ensure fun, safe, and healthy experiences for all participants (Kindergarten‑grade 8); build rapport with students, staff, volunteers, and school personnel.
• Consistently create and deliver diverse and recreation‑based programming in all three target areas (Physical Education, Nutrition and Wellness) in a manner in which the mission, values, goals and practices of the YMCA of Greater Toronto are being met, while building positive relationships.
• Ensure that the principles of Healthy Child Development and the Children’s Services standards are practiced in the delivery and planning of all children’s programs.
• Understand the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Children’s Aid Society.
• Be familiar with exceptionalities and behaviour‑management techniques.
• Monitor the safety of all participants throughout all activities and programs; indoors and outdoors.
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace and play area (e.g., preparing and cleaning up daily snacks, organizing play materials and supplies, smooth set‑up and take‑down of playspace).
• Actively participate in scheduled shifts, staff meetings, and monthly training sessions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children and youth and/or in a related program area is an asset; demonstrated interest in recreational sports is an asset.
• Well‑developed interpersonal and relationship‑building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging.
• Current Standard First Aid/CPR‑C required.
• Flexibility regarding assigned work schedules, including weekday afternoons and monthly training sessions.

What you need to succeed

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship‑Builder, Improvement‑Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on 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.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview. The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada.