Youth Engagement Worker- Full-Time, Permanent

YMCA of Three Rivers; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks vacation

12 well-being days

Pension plan after 2 years

Group benefits after 3 months

Free YMCA membership for you and your/

Job summary

YMCA of Three Rivers is seeking a dedicated Youth Program Leader to plan, promote, and facilitate programs for youth aged 13–24. You will collaborate with the Youth Centre Supervisor to develop responsive activities, manage budgets, and track outcomes to secure grants.

A focus on inclusion, safety, and positive youth development is essential as you build community partnerships and lead engaging programs. The role requires 3–5 years’ experience with youth and strong communication, leadership, and

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience working with youth aged 13–24 in diverse settings.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth development.

Responsibilities

• Plan, promote, lead and facilitate youth programs that support physical, social and mental wellbeing.
• Assist in purchasing program supplies within budget; track statistics for reports.
• Develop programming with Youth Centre Supervisor to meet community needs.
• Ensure high-quality program delivery and outcomes reporting.
• Build relationships with internal YMCA partners and external organizations.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging space for all youth.

Skills

Youth program planning

Communication

Leadership

Community engagement

Education

Post-secondary in Child and Youth Work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Must be available to work flexible hours, including afternoons, evenings and occasional weekends. Standard hours of work: (Monday – Friday 12-8pm)

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Anticipated Start Date: November 9, 2026

Deadline to Apply: October 29, 2026

We believe that everyone has the potential to shine! Our culture is built around connection, celebration, appreciation, and recognition, and it starts with a total rewards package focused on Well-Being.

Time Away from Work

At the YMCA of Three Rivers, we value work-life harmony. Full-time team members start with:

• 3 weeks of vacation, with the opportunity to earn more as their length of service increases
• 12 well-being days for sick time or proactive self-care, which can be used as they are earned. Bereavement days are also available.

Pension Plan

Full-time employees can join our group pension plan after two consecutive years of employment. Employees contribute 5% of their gross earnings per pay, which the Y, matches. After three consecutive years of service, participation in the YMCA pension plan becomes mandatory for full-time employees.

Health, Dental, and Well-Being Benefits

The YMCA of Three Rivers offers a comprehensive group benefits package to full-time employees (starting 3 months after the start date), including:

• Access to an Employee (and Family) Assistance Program offering free and confidential counseling, resources, and services
• A free YMCA membership for you and your family, providing access to our fitness centers
• Discounts on YMCA programs and services, including childcare

Role Overview

Are you passionate about creating an inclusive space for all youth ages 13-18? Are you a leader who has experience creating programming for youth in a variety of recreational settings? Are you passionate about engaging youth and creating positive relationships with them? Do you want to make a difference in the life of a young person, and be a positive role model?

Who are we…

The YMCA of Three Rivers is a charitable organization proudly serving the communities of Guelph-Wellington, Stratford-Perth, and Waterloo Region. We aspire to build connected and resilient communities. Our mission is to make our diverse communities healthier and more vibrant. With dignity and respect, our programs and services inspire individuals to reach their full potential. Learn more about our history, mission, vision, and values here.

We strive to be a great place to work so that all employees can live with purpose, passion, and potential to Shine On! This is where you come in.

What will you do…

You will work as a part of the full time Youth Team to plan, promote, lead and facilitate a variety of programs for youth (aged 13-24 years) that support their physical, social and mental wellbeing, personal development, leadership skills, and more.

• Supporting the day-to-day operations of youth programs, including assisting in the purchasing of program supplies within the allocated budget, creating program plans, completing program statistics tracking, collecting stories for grant applications/reporting and the implementation of policies and procedures.
• Supporting the Youth Centre Supervisor, alongside the youth themselves, to develop programming, events, resources and activities to meet the changing needs of youth within the community.
• Commitment to high quality program delivery and the success of various Youth programs.
• Supporting evaluation, quality assurance, outcomes reporting and possible expansion of youth program offerings.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with both internal YMCA partners and external community organizations to support program offerings.
• Ensuring that youth programs are a safe, inclusive and engaging space for all youth.

What will you bring…

You will have 3-5 year’s experience working with Youth between the ages of 13-24 years from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Intermediate computer knowledge of Microsoft Office and Access. You will have knowledge of the unique needs of the youth and resources available to them within our community. In addition, you will have experience creating program plans, directly facilitating programming and an understanding of healthy adolescent development.

You have post-secondary education in Child and Youth Work, Recreation & Leisure, Social Sciences or a related field, or experience equivalent. You will have excellent communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, in addition to strong interpersonal skills needed to build positive relationships. You will have a passion for meaningfully engaging with youth, to meeting them where they are at, ensuring they feel heard, welcomed and supported in YMCA Programs. You are committed to supporting justice, access, inclusion, diversity and equity for all youth. Ability to communicate in a 2nd Language an asset (Oral and Written)

• Relationship Building and Collaboration:Builds positive interactions both internally and externally to achieve work related goals.
• Communication:Communicates in a thorough, clear, timely manner and supports information sharing and goal achievement within the Youth department.
• Leadership: Guides, motivates and inspires others to take action towards desired outcomes.
• Self Management: Demonstrates ability to be self-directed and self-motivated.
• Planning and Organizing:Establishes a clearly defined and effective course of action to accomplish short- and long-term goals.
• Problem Solving:Develops new ways or adapts existing ideas to help us achieve desired results. Challenges the status quo to discover more effective ways of performing.
• Conflict Resolution:Assesses the conflict situation and exercises good judgement in recommending solutions.
• Sense of Community: Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of community and responds to identified needs.
• Political Acumen:An awareness of the political influences and power bases both within and outside the organization.

You have an up-to-date Standard First Aid and CPR (Level C) certification (or are willing to obtain) and can provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check.

This role requires regular travel across the region, which may not always be easily accessible through public transit. The employee must be able to arrange their transportation to these sites. A valid G driver’s license and full-time vehicle access are strongly recommended.

Additional Information

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Youth

In keeping with our commitment to child and youth safeguarding, job offers are contingent on completing a current Vulnerable Sector Check and employment reference checks. Vulnerable Sector Checks are reviewed individually, and the offense(s) - if any - are 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. Vulnerable Sector Checks must be renewed every three years.

Our Commitment to JAIDE (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity)

We embrace the values of justice, access, inclusion, diversity, and equity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes applications from all qualified persons. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected group. We are committed to creating an environment where we eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups.

Studies have shown that women and people of equity-deserving backgrounds are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification in the posting. We understand that knowledge and experience can be gained in many ways, so we strongly encourage applications even if you don’t believe you meet all the requirements outlined.

Per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation need known to the YMCA of Three Rivers.

Our Commitment to Privacy

The YMCA of Three Rivers complies with the Employment Standards Act, Pay Equity Legislation, and privacy laws. We are committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information-handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. Please visit ourwebsitefor more information on the YMCA of Three Rivers’ commitment to privacy.

Please note that due to the large volume of applications received, only candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.