Day Camp Leader, Childrens' Garden Programs (Canada Summer Jobs)

At House of Friendship we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great doesn’t it? It is!

House of Friendships Neighbourhoods program bring diverse communities together to improve community life and reduce poverty, isolation and food insecurity. Summer programs provide recreation opportunities for children and youth in their own community. To use gardening as a tool to plan, implement and facilitate community informed and community focused children and  youth related programs and ideas in neighbourhoods with diverse and marginalized populations in Kitchener and Waterloo; Courtland Shelley, Chandler-Mowat, Forest Heights, Kingsdale, Sunnydale and Victoria Hills Community Centres.

** This is a full-time, summer contract position, from May 21, 2024 to August 30, 2024.

Schedule will have 35 hours per week. Exact details are pending funding approval.

A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check will be required pre-employment. **

This position is funded by the Canadian Government Canada Summer Jobs program which requires that the following eligibility criteria be met: 

Eligibility:

1. Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment contract;

2. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,

3. Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

4. International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

   
   

Key Responsibilities:

·        Collaboratively plan and implement programs that are interesting, stimulating, constructive and educational, with a focus on building community

·        Use gardening as a tool to organize and facilitate fun engaging activities for children and youth, and provide leadership and direction within the garden program

·        Organize field trips for program participants

·        Assist with organizing workshops and events to engage the children and youth

·        Complete administrative tasks related to the programs

·        To keep accurate program records and help to prepare a final report, as well as any other documentation that may be required

Education/Experience:

·        Post-secondary training in horticulture, social sciences, recreation or a related field is preferred

·        Previous experience in horticulture preferred

·        Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation

·        Lived experience of and/or commitment to issues of poverty, and social justice preferred

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

·        Comfortable working outside in various weather conditions

·        Good organizational skills

·        Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

·        Interest in and understanding of community development principles preferred

·        Ability to speak in a language relevant to our communities preferred

Critical Skills:

·        Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

·        Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required

·        Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members

·        Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

·        Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

·        Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

·        Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

·        Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

Compensation:

·        We value our team members above all else and know that our mission can only succeed through your work

·        We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

o   We are a Living Wage employer as defined by the Ontario Living Wage Network

o   We use a 3.5:1 ratio meaning that the highest paid team member is not paid more than 3.5 times than the lowest paid team member

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration along with where others with similar experience are currently on the pay grid. Note: Due to the internal composition of our pay grids, many team members with lengthy experience are between the start and mid-point of the range and therefore most new team members will be placed similarly. 

Grade: 3

Min: $19.61

Mid: $20.80

Max: $23.28

Working Conditions:

·        35 hours per week, mostly mornings and evenings

·        This position involves walking, standing, crouching, kneeling, lifting and carrying heavy items

·        Must be physically able to meet the bona fide physical requirements of the role

·        Heavy lifting and moving of bags of soil will be required

·        Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected.

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

We strive to remove barriers that may prevent qualified applicants from fully participating in the recruitment and selection process. Accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/day-camp-leader-childrens-garden-programs-canada-summer-jobs-kitchener-on-h7uq6K

By end of day May 5, 2024.