Activities Convenor

The Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH) is a warm & vibrant workplace, with team members providing service to children & their families in inpatient units & ambulatory clinics. Emily's Backyard (EBY) play area, with locations at ACH and the Child Development Center, focuses on providing a unique family-centered care experience for hospital patients, siblings and families. The Activities Convenor will be responsible for the supervision of children in a play area environment; plans and implements crafts & activities to meet the variety of needs of the children; provides effective communication, support & resource information to parents and healthcare clinicians; supports and works with a diverse group of volunteers, spanning a wide range of skills, abilities, ages and experience; the overall maintenance and program duties (bookings, toy cleaning, craft preparation, etc.) in Emily's Backyard. The Activities Convenor may support EBY’s programs at both the main site and the Child Development Centre. This position indirectly reports to the Emily’s Backyard Coordinator & is accountable to the Manager of the ACH Family & Community Resource Centre.
As an Activities Convenor, you will be responsible for planning, organizing and carrying out entertainment, diversion, social and emotional wellness group activities for clients.
Completion of Grade 12.
Diploma required in Early Childhood, Education, Healthcare-related discipline or Special Education; related diploma in child and youth -studies considered. 3 years' experience working/supervising with groups of children. Able to lift up to 50 pounds routinely (to assist children as needed in the setting). Possess a genuine, caring, fun, engaging demeanor and comfortable engaging in play-based activity with young children for extended time periods. Good command of the English language - both written and spoken. Strong knowledge of childhood growth and development to safely support children with special needs in a peer/play based setting. Demonstrated ability to work well as a team member. Excellent interpersonal communications skills. Conflict resolution skills and able to provide child-focused positive reinforcement and/or distraction. Knowledge of and adherence to the practice of Patient & Family Centered Care (including the practice of same with a diverse and multicultural population).
Previous experience working with volunteers; especially volunteers working directly with children. Previous experience in a child-minding environment. Second language (including sign language) is an asset.