Youth Services Coordinator

City of Kitchener; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Kitchener seeks a Youth Services Coordinator to lead planning, development, coordination and delivery of city-wide youth programs and resources. This role works with youth, residents, associations, and agencies to enhance wellbeing, inclusion, and civic engagement.

Responsibilities include program design, evaluation, stakeholder communication, volunteer support, and mentoring staff and youth volunteers to foster leadership and positive youth development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of related municipal recreation, leisure, or youth services experience.
• Experience mentoring and coaching youth staff and volunteers.
• Ability to engage with marginalized youth and foster community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Consults with youth, residents, youth-serving agencies and community groups to identify needs and build partnerships.
• Develops and delivers high-quality youth programs, services, events, and initiatives promoting recreation, leadership, and civic engagement.
• Oversees program delivery, design, planning, evaluation, and promotion, plus stakeholder communication and customer service.
• Provides guidance to Neighborhood Associations and internal City divisions for youth-focused initiatives.
• Develops training resources for City staff on positive youth development and youth engagement.

Skills

Positive youth development

Leadership

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Public relations

Team building

Program evaluation

MS Word/PowerPoint

Education

Two-year diploma in a related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Program registration systems

Job description

Overview

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Supports the onboarding, training, coaching, and mentorship of youth program staff and youth volunteers, fostering a culture of engagement, leadership, and continuous learning.
• Fosters meaningful opportunities for youth voice, participation, and leadership in program development, community initiatives, and civic engagement activities.
• 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.
• Performs administrative and operational duties associated with the Youth Services Coordinator role, including record management, reporting, and compliance with City policies and procedures.
• Prepares reports, develops program resources, procedures, forms, manuals, and other documentation to support effective program delivery, evaluation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• 2-year diploma in a related field or 2 years in a specialized post-secondary program in a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of related experience including:
• Municipal recreation, leisure, community development, or youth services, including the planning, delivery, and evaluation of youth programs and initiatives.
• Mentoring, training, and supporting young staff and volunteers.
• Engaging youth through leadership development, recreation and leisure opportunities, volunteerism, civic engagement, and positive youth development initiatives.

Additional Requirements

• 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.
• Provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check at your own expense as a condition of employment.
• Flexible schedule as evening and weekend shifts will be required (with advance notice).

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and practice in asset-based positive youth development theory, youth engagement, physical and emotional literacy, and youth services in the community.
• Proven organization, customer services and planning skills.
• An innovative and flexible thinker that understands and can respond to community trends with effective programs and services for youth.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public relations skills.
• Possesses conflict resolution and mediation skills and demonstrated experience problem solving.
• Impactful facilitation, leadership, community development and team building skills.
• Demonstrated program research, development, implementation, and evaluation skills.
• Working knowledge of risk management practices, policies and procedures for youth programming in a municipal setting.
• Awareness of social issues (housing, immigration, employment, racism, ageism etc) and the socio-demographic trends associated with youth.
• 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.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and program registration systems.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.