Empowerment Coordinator - Youth Education Supports Program

Location

Niagara Region

Pay

$27.00 per hour

Employment Type

Full Time Contract - 40 Hours per week
YMCA Membership Benefits upon hire

Placement Date

November 2025 - March 2027

WHY WORK FOR THE YMCA?

The YMCA of Niagara is a mission-driven organization committed to fueling a healthy, connected, and engaged Niagara. Our presence in over 100 program sites has been impacting the community with dedication and purpose for over 150 years.

Our legacy in the community is a testament to the transformative work we do. We serve a diverse range of individuals and families, with a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and the wellbeing of all. As we move forward, we are embracing a revitalized approach to meet the evolving needs of the community and actively contribute to transforming lives across Niagara.

Guided by our shared values – caring, health, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, advocacy, and responsibility - the YMCA provides our employees with meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact on individuals and the health of our communities.

Our dynamic team is dedicated to maintaining our positive growth trajectory though continuously adapting and innovating our services and programs to meet the changing landscape in Niagara.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Youth Education Supports Program (YESP) aims to provide equity-deserving students with a comprehensive suite of wrap-around supports to address gaps to education attainment and to navigate barriers to learning access and success. By providing and delivering academic tutoring, one-to-one supports, workshops, life skills, mentorship and mental health supports to students who face greater barriers to education will persist in their studies and prepare for future academic and social success.

The Youth Education Supports Programs will empower students in Grades 11, and 12 and first year of post-secondary education to reach their fullest potential, by building and strengthening their capacity to engage and succeed in their educational studies and transition to high levels of education. The Youth Education Supports Program’s youth centered, strength-based approach will address critical risk factors; build protective tools through flexible and inclusive supports delivered in 11 sites across Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support Program Manager with staffing oversight. Including onboarding, training and annual reviews and KPI attainment

• Monitor and approve attendance in UKG for YESP team

• Support Manager in preparation of narrative and data reporting requirements

• Support Association Services accounting team in monitoring of expenses and financial reporting requirements

• All duties as required as a Youth Support Worker (responsible for own reduced case load)

  • Enable participants to engage and succeed in their academic studies and transition smoothly to post-secondary education
  • Improve participants access to financial and material supports to participate in their academic studies.
  • Build participants educational aspirations and resiliency through workshops and individualized supports
  • Improve participants wellbeing, sense of belonging and academic motivations
  • Provide tailored programming and supports to one or more of the mandatory targeted groups of participants
  • Ensure overall program outputs and targets are being met – See Service Agreement/MOU for full listing of 13 specific KPIs
  • Provide oversight to program expenses, purchase program items, reconciliation of Purchase Card Transaction. Ensure expenses are aligned with guidelines.
  • Collects information to confirm eligibility and completes student intake and/or assessment to inform ongoing participant supports to reach participant and funder outcomes
  • Designs, implements, and evaluates youth-centered individual action plans, in-person/virtual services and workshops as per guidelines and funder mandates
  • Deliver and facilitate educational webinars and various workshops online and in person to participants
  • Performs case management as per guidelines and funder mandates
  • Manage relationships with social workers, school administration, other professionals and family/natural supports for the purpose of case management and implementing wrap-around supports
  • Coordinates peer mentorships opportunities and relationships, including homework clubs and tutoring
  • Engages with schools, community agencies, and other organizations to maximize services and resources to participants
  • Adheres to all Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety requirements
  • Maintain accurate participant files in accordance with funder and YMCA guidelines
  • Collect demographic, output and outcome data for evaluation purposes and to inform and contribute to the development of funder and YMCA reports – all information tracked in Government Case Management System ETO – daily/weekly/monthly
  • Demonstrates appropriate behaviours in line with our Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the Association. Represents the YMCA and the Association in a professional manner
  • Understand the legal responsibilities to Privacy Legislation, confidentiality, data security
  • Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
  • Understands the importance of the volunteer staff partnership and integrates the value of philanthropy and volunteerism in dealings with members, volunteers, donors and staff.

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post secondary degree/diploma in Education, Child and Youth Counselling, Social Work, or related field.

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Suicide Intervention Certification, Mental Health First Aid preferred.

• Experience Leading teams in a government contract environment

• Experience in overseeing complex collaborations for case management purposes

• Experience working within government program framework; budget, measurement & Outcomes

• Experience working directly with youth experiencing barriers to education and/or employment success.

• Experience in conducting assessments and intake evaluations, case management and workshop facilitation.

• Experience working with diverse populations.

• Working knowledge computer skills (Windows, Microsoft Teams, Office and Outlook)

• Working knowledge of issues/practices related to the social determents of health, youth development, individual assessment, case management, group work, group facilitation, program planning and outcome evaluation.

• Upon hiring, a clear and satisfactory criminal record check inclusive of the vulnerable sector search (PVSC) issued for the YMCA of Niagara.

• Upon hiring, current Standard First Aid & CPR-C.

COMPETENCIES:

Commitment to Organization Vision and Values
Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the Mission, Vision, Strategic outcomes and values of the YMCA

Communication
Communicated in a thorough, clear and timely manner and supports information sharing and goal achievement across the YMCA. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team skills.

Relationship Building and Collaboration
Builds positive interactions both internally and externally to achieve work related goals

Planning and Organizing
Establishes a clearly defined and effective course of action for self and others to accomplish short- and long-term goals

Leadership
Guides, motivates and inspires self and others to take action to achieve desired outcomes

Results Oriented
Has the ability to lead, manage and achieve identified goals

Diversity
Appreciates that people with different opinions, backgrounds and characteristics bring a richness to the YMCA. Working knowledge in culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practice, and strength-based approach.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants are invited to submit an application by noon on October 22, 2025.

Internal applicants are encouraged to apply on our internal job board by logging into their UKG portal and navigating to Myself > My Company > View Opportunities. Internal applicants are also encouraged to notify their supervisor before applying.

All applicants are thanked for their interest. Only those applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted by email.

Accessibility accommodations and materials in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities can be arranged upon request.

For more information on other opportunities at the YMCA of Niagara, please visit: ymcaofniagara.org

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• CRC Basic Check