Youth Community Worker, Black Youth in STEM

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Youth Community Worker, Black Youth in STEM

DEPARTMENT: Black Community Access Programming

COMPANY: Skills for Change

LOCATION : 65 Overlea Blvd., Suite 260, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P1

REPORTS TO: Manager, Black Community Access Program

CONTRACT TYPE: Contract Full Time (Unionized)

HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday- Friday, with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)

PAY RATE: $26.00

START DATE: Immediately

END DATE: March 28, 2025

COMPANY:

Located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, Skills for Change (SfC) is working towards advancing the Sustainable Development Goals for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Named Charity Village's Best Non-Profit Employer - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and winner of the 2021 Canada Volunteer Awards for Innovation, our organization is committed to reducing poverty, improve mental health, eliminating gender-based violence, building community, eradicating systemic racism, and settling and creating sustainable communities for all immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities. Start your career with SfC and join our 40 year history of creating innovative programming to build welcoming and equitable communities.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

With over 42 years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit with a province wide reputation for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. Skills for Change provides multi-sited employment, job skills, career exploration through mentoring and entrepreneurship, job development, mental health and wellness, language and settlement programs and services throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas.

PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Black Youth in STEM Program is designed to provide comprehensive support to Black youth in Toronto and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas (GTAH) interested in pursuing careers in STEM. This program offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and skill development in STEM disciplines while addressing systemic barriers, including anti-Black racism, faced by Black youth in accessing STEM education and careers.

The ideal candidate has:

● Knowledge about Greater Toronto’s Black ∕African-diasporic communities including LGBTQi2S+ and the issues facing members of those communities.

● Knowledge/understanding of and sensitivity to issues of concern to Black immigrants and refugees.

● Knowledge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices and Anti-Black Racism frameworks.

● Experience working on a project related to the Black community.

● We encourage applications from candidates who identify as Black or identify with the African diaspora.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES:

● The Black Youth in STEM Program, focusing on engaging Black youth aged 14-18 in STEM activities.

● Support BCAP leadership in organizational and administrative matters related to the day-to-day project activities including planning, execution, reporting, monitoring, evaluation and closure.

● Review the current curriculum and collaborate with the BCAP leadership team on any revisions or new concepts.

● Conduct intake sessions to assess the unique needs of Black Youth and the Black community.

● Follow and implement a thorough data collection process that accounts for the differen demographics and level of needs.

● Engage with the parents and guardians of Black Youth and ensure all consent forms have been signed and collected. Regularly communicate essential information with them and be mindful of any considerations raised regarding the Black Youth.

● Notify BCAP leadership if special accommodation is required.

● Develop comprehensive program schedules, ensuring workshops and events are well coordinated and meet program objectives.

● Maintain a robust data infrastructure to track program metrics, participant demographics, and program effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making.

● Support and deliver project status reports to BCAP leadership, describing delivered and upcoming project activities, progress towards targets, issues, risks, and mitigation measures.

● Lead workshops designed to inspire and educate Black youth, with flexibility accommodating evening and weekend schedules to maximize accessibility.

● Regularly communicate important updates to the youth and their parents/guardians and ensure that they have been properly equipped with the information and resources they need to successfully complete the program.

● Coordinate and accompany program participants on field trips to offsite and educational institutions, providing valuable hands-on learning experiences.

● Foster a supportive and inclusive environment for Black youth by promoting their interest and participation through mentorship and guidance.

● Engage with community agencies and prospective clients ages 14-18, youth to promote the Black Youth in STEM Program and raise awareness about upcoming cohorts.

● Coordinate peer mentorship activities and networking sessions to foster a supportive community for Black youth in STEM and other underrepresented occupations.

● Provide other types of support at the request of the leadership team.

SECONDARY DUTIES

● Participate and assist in the organization, marketing, and promotion of various events such as Black Youth in STEM engagement, mentoring, networking sessions, special events etc.

● Conduct outreach in the community to promote Black Youth in STEM Program and other programs.

● Liaise with other SfC departments to ensure smooth delivery and coordination of services to clients.

● Maintain positive professional relationships and communication links with public and other relevant community resources.

● Participate in the agency distribution, collection, and analysis of participant surveys and other evaluation and tracking procedures.

● Provide feedback to the program manager on the effectiveness of service delivery and present solutions to enhance services.

● Handle additional tasks as required by the Manager, Black Community Access Program.

● Participate in all meetings as required.

SKILLS, EDUCATION & ATTRIBUTES:

● Post-Secondary degree in social work and/or credentials as a Social Worker, Community (Support) Worker, or Career Counsellor is preferred, but the organization will be interested in any candidates with relevant experience, or any transferrable skills that could be repurposed for the role.

● Sensitivity, knowledge and understanding of issues and barriers faced by Black youth, LGBTQ+2 youth and those representing the Black diaspora.

● Strong team player in fast-paced environments, used to organize, prioritize and support multiple projects simultaneously.

● Strong all-round communication skills especially writing, editing and proofreading, and the ability to summarize complex research

information in clear, non-specialist language for a wide range of communication formats.

● Creative thinker with problem solving skills and strong orientation to project results and outcomes.

● Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills. Professional manner, tact, and diplomacy in all internal and external communications.

● Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

● Experience using social media for outreach and marketing purposes.

● Strong expertise in using collaborative tools such as Zoom, Slack, Microsoft TEAMS.

● Proficiency in Windows, MS Office, and other Office 365 products. Ability to deliver PowerPoint presentations

● Knowledge of Salesforce is an asset, but on-the-job training is acceptable.

● Position requires travel; car is an asset

PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:

Skills for Change provides learning and training opportunities for immigrants, refugees and equity seeking groups to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community to persons with disabilities to newcomers to Canada (including refugees) to Indigenous peoples to members of a visible minority to children or youth to seniors to the LGBTQ2 community.

Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in alternate format on request.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted