Support Coordinator

Overview

Description  

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Each summer, 16- and 17-year-old Canadian youth spend six weeks in another province, living with a local host, gaining paid work experience, practicing their second official language, and participating in weekly program activities.

Support Coordinators serve as team leads for the program in their region. Before the exchange begins, they assist in the hiring process for Local Coordinators, promote the program to youth, support the interview and selection process for participants, and connect with community partners to secure job placements. During the exchange, Support Coordinators guide their local team, supporting youth as they navigate their new environments and delivering a full program of activities.

Responsibilities: 

• Support the hiring and training process for Local Coordinators and provide ongoing leadership to the local team.
• Promote the program in communities and support the selection of youth participants, host families, and employment partners.
• Support Local Coordinators to safely plan and deliver program activities in line with program objectives, including managing activity budgets.
• Act as a bridge between the Regional Coordinator and the Local Coordinators, including monitoring compliance with program policies and objectives.
• Build positive relationships with youth exchange participants, host families, employers, and other local community partners; visit program sites during the exchange period and respond to conflict and emergencies as they arise.
• Support participant travel between provinces, including traveling with participants to their host community or providing logistical support at departure points.
• Write a comprehensive report at the end of the summer summarizing the program’s results.
• Fulfill administrative duties in a timely manner, including promotional tracking, case noting, incident reporting, expense claim tracking, and file documentation.
• Assume the role of Local Coordinator in certain situations as required.

Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed: 

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Oriented, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

Qualifications: 

• Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program or equivalent experience.
• Valid Emergency First Aid/CPR certification before the start of the exchange.
• At least one year of experience working with youth in a community program context.
• Experience in a leadership role, either professionally or in student leadership.
• Experience working in a role requiring interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in problem solving and conflict resolution in a professional context.
• Previous experience working in the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange program, an asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation, an asset.
• Ability to communicate in both French and English, an asset.
• Strong administrative skills, including budget management, reporting, and tracking using spreadsheets.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Ability to attend and support three mandatory paid trainings in January, March, and April/May.
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle; willing to provide a driver’s abstract.
• Internet access for the duration of employment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and weekends.
• Willingness to travel within Canada.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently with youth, families, and community partners.
• Customer service skills, ensuring a positive and supportive experience for participants and stakeholders.
• Well-developed organizational skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks, schedules, and program requirements.
• A high level of reliability, with a consistent commitment to fulfilling responsibilities and supporting program success.
• Prior training in mental health support and suicide intervention (e.g., MHFA, ASIST, etc.).
• Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ-positive, critical disability, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging.

Mandatory Training and scheduled work days: 

Three mandatory training sessions will take place. The first will occur in mid-January. The second session will take place over a weekend in early March and the third in late April/early May.  Exact dates will be confirmed at the time of interviewing.
Trainings are held in-person and may require travel within Canada for two to four days; all costs related to travel and training are paid for by the YMCA.
All Support Coordinators are also required to work full-time during business hours the first week of June, and are required to be available on June 27 and August 8 during travel days.

Location, Period of Employment, and Salary: 

Positions are available throughout Canada. Support Coordinators must live within their assigned region.
Support Coordinators will work 15 hours/week from January 11 to April 25, increasing to 24 hours/week from April 26 to May 30, and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) from May 31 until August 15. The starting salary is $21.10 per hour.

Application deadline:  November 2, 2025
For more information and to apply visit: https://swse.ymcagta.org/work-for-us