Satellite Program Assistant

Tropicana Community Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Career growth opportunities

Community impact

Job summary

Tropicana Community Services in Toronto coordinates youth and community programming across multiple sites. The Satellite Program Assistant supports delivery at Gordon Ridge Place and after-hours activities at 1385 Huntingwood, drawing on lived experience in Scarborough to engage with families and participants.

You will work with program leadership to maintain a safe, inclusive environment and help with attendance tracking, space setup, and logistics across sites.

Qualifications

• Local lived experience residing or engaging in Scarborough, with knowledge of Midland & Danforth areas.
• Education in Social Services, Community Development, Recreation or equivalent experience in community leadership.
• Experience assisting with youth development, community recreation or after-hours neighborhood programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills with conflict resolution or de-escalation training.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, anti-oppressive practices, and serving diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Support Gordon Ridge Place satellite programming setup, delivery, and teardown.
• Provide operational and session support for evening/after-hours programs at 1385 Huntingwood.
• Ensure spaces are welcoming, clean, and properly configured per guidelines.
• Assist facilitators and program leads to run engaging, high-quality sessions.
• Track attendance and assist with program materials and shift reports.

Skills

Local Lived Experience

De-Escalation Skills

Cultural Competency

Flexibility & Availability

Program Experience

Education

Education in Social Services / Community Development / Recreation

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Satellite Program Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Programs

AFFILIATION: Non-Unionized Position

LOCATION: Multi-Site

HOURS: up to 15 hours per week

EXTENDED HOURS: Dependent on needs of the program

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Satellite Program Assistant supports the direct delivery and daily operation of community programming across assigned sites. This role focuses on supporting the Gordon Ridge Place satellite program as well as after hours programming at 1385 Huntingwood. Working closely with program leadership and site coordinators, the Assistant helps maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for participants. A key emphasis of this role is rooted in lived experience working with the Scarborough community, specifically understanding and serving the Midland and Danforth area.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Program Support and Site Operations

• Gordon Ridge Place Satellite: Assist with the setup, delivery, and teardown of scheduled community programming at the Gordon Ridge Place site.
• 1385 Huntingwood After Hours Programs: Provide dedicated operational and session support for evening and after hours youth and community activities at 1385 Huntingwood.
• Space Preparation: Ensure program rooms and equipment are welcoming, clean, properly configured, and restored following organizational guidelines.
• Activity Facilitation Support: Help facilitators, guest instructors, and program leads conduct smooth, interactive, and high-quality program sessions.

Community and Participant Engagement

• Scarborough Community Connection: Leverage lived experience and local community knowledge to connect authentically with participants and families, particularly within the Midland and Danforth area.
• Resident Outreach: Welcome participants, foster trusting relationships, and assist in spreading awareness of available programs and services across satellite locations.
• Inclusive Atmosphere: Promote a safe, supportive, and anti-oppressive space that respects the diverse backgrounds of all community members.

Safety, De-Escalation, and Site Standards

• Safety Protocol Compliance: Adhere to health, safety, and emergency guidelines across all satellite locations and program hours.
• Conflict Resolution: Apply proactive communication and de-escalation skills to manage participant interactions and maintain a positive program environment.
• Hazard Reporting: Identify and immediately report safety risks, maintenance needs, or incident occurrences to the Satellite Program Coordinator.

Administration and Data Tracking

• Attendance Tracking: Accurately track participant sign ins, program participation statistics, and daily attendance logs.
• Administrative Tasks: Assist in inventorying program materials, collecting participant feedback forms, and completing routine shift reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate brings a blend of community involvement, lived experience, and practical program support skills.

• Local Lived Experience: Demonstrated lived experience residing, working, or actively engaging in the Scarborough community, with specific knowledge of the Midland and Danforth area.
• Education and Training: Educational background in Social Services, Community Development, Recreation, or relevant equivalent experience in community leadership.
• Program Experience: Experience assisting with youth development, community recreation, or after hours neighborhood programs.
• De-Escalation Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with experience or training in conflict resolution, de-escalation, or restorative communication practices.
• Cultural Competency: Deep understanding of equity, diversity, and anti-oppressive practices when serving diverse Black, newcomer, and equity-deserving populations.
• Flexibility and Availability: Ability to work 15 hours a week across 3 days, including availability for after hours and evening schedules.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Career growth and development opportunities
• A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
• Employee Assistance Program

Unfortunately we appreciate each application, only those candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.

Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures. Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact Human resources. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.