Youth Development Program Specialist

For more than 100 years, BGC Ottawa has provided children and youth with a safe, supportive place to belong where they can play, learn and grow beyond the pressures of home and school. Serving more than 12,000 young people each year, BGC Ottawa delivers free programs and services across Ottawa through four Clubhouses, Camp Smitty and community-based neighbourhood programming. The Club is committed to equity, inclusion and opportunity, supporting children and youth from all backgrounds to build confidence, skills and brighter futures.

BGC Ottawa is seeking applications for a full-time Youth Development and Program Specialist. The successful candidate will be working out of Don McGahan Clubhouse. The Youth Development & Program Specialist contributes to the management and supervision of Critical Hours programming for children and youth aged 6-18 years, provides leadership to part-time staff and volunteers in conjunction with the Clubhouse Manager, and provides guidance and role-modeling throughout programming.

Qualified internal candidates will be given priority consideration.

Major Responsibility 1: Provide oversight and supervision to part-time staff and volunteers in conjunction with the management team and provide guidance and role-modeling throughout programming

• Oversee the development and delivery of programming to members which are in line with Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (BGCO) Programs Policies and Procedures Manual and Employee Handbook
• Be a positive role model for youth workers, volunteers and youth
• Act as on-site contact in absence of the manager
• Support and promote teamwork across BGCO
• Report any concerns regarding staff to manager, Communicate relevant information to manager
• Supervise staff appropriately throughout programming
• Any other duties as required by the BGCO Manager

Major Responsibility 2: Community Development

• Work positively in partnership with other agencies
• Liaise with other services where a young person may require additional and/or more specialist support, encouraging appropriate referrals of young people into relevant services
• Perform public relations and promotion of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
• Community Outreach
• Develop and maintain community contacts

Major Responsibility 3: Assist in the design and implementation of systems to monitor and evaluate programs

• Positively engage with young people during Critical Hours
• Identify gaps in service and work with the manager and other colleagues to seek funding to address these gaps
• Promote and oversee Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa guidelines and policies including confidentiality, child protection & equal opportunities
• Actively encourage young people to participate in programs offered
• Maintain regular contact with lead Senior Youth Workers
• Provide feedback to staff and volunteers regarding their performance in programming

Major Responsibility 4: Professional Development of Self and Others

• Responsible for upkeep of professional skills and development
• Attend Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa full time staff meetings and planning sessions
• Assist in the co-ordination and development of the 'in house' training of staff
• Align programming with BGCO strategic direction

Major Responsibility 5: Financial and Systems Analysis and Reporting

• Perform administrative record keeping and reporting as required
• Manage budgets in conjunction with manager
• Complete monthly reports
• Maintain updated database
• Submit Human Resource and financial forms in a timely manner

Perform other related duties as required

Required Education, Training and Experience

• Completed degree or diploma in a child and youth related studies
• 3-5 years' experience designing and leading social recreation programs with children and youth
• Recognized certification in first aid
• HIGH FIVE certificate is an asset
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector an asset

Demonstrated Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Ability to build meaningful, constructive relationships with children and youth in groups and on an individual basis
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Effective communication skills including report writing and presentations
• Knowledge of issues that affect children and youth
• Knowledge of various aspects of child development
• Experience of working with marginalized/'hard to reach' youth
• Experience of planning and developing child and youth programs
• Ability to monitor and evaluate a wide range of interventions with children and youth
• Knowledge of child protection act
• Knowledge of anti-discriminatory practice
• Experience of managing and supervising part-time staff and volunteers
• Proficient in using IT including email and Microsoft Word
• Experience of multi-agency working suggestion: experience in community development approached
• Multilingualism is an asset

Please note: the following are required for this position:

• Current Police Records check (vulnerable sector).
• Ability to work evenings.

These are the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.Example: The majority of the work is performed in an environment that is mostly, clean and comfortable. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision on a computer screen for a large part of the working day. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

BGC Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. This means that all job applicants, employees and volunteers receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief. BGC Ottawa welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.