The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. For six weeks over the summer, 16- and 17-year-old Canadian youth travel to another province where they stay with a local host, hold a paid job, practice their second official language and participate in weekly program activities.

Local Coordinators (LCs) act as the primary connection between youth and community members and the SWSE program.   This includes the pre-program period where Local Coordinators promote the program to youth and community groups, conduct the interview and selection process for participants and prepare youth and families for the program. 

Once the exchange starts, Local Coordinators act as adult mentors, delivering a full program of activities and support youth in navigating their new environments. 

Local Coordinators must be full-time post-secondary students. Successful candidates will have had previous experience working with youth and/or experiential education programs, possess strong communication, customer service and organizational skills, and be highly reliable individuals. They will have insight into Canada’s diversity and value an active approach to social inclusion. 

Responsibilities:

• Promote the program in communities and support the selection of youth participants, host families and employment partners. 
• Interview and select youth participants and families/hosts and, with support, conduct a pre-departure information session. 
• Plan local activities aligned with program objectives and manage an activity budget. 
• Build positive relationships with youth exchange participants, host families, employers, and other local partners; visit program sites and respond to conflict and emergencies as they arise.  
• Support participant travel between provinces, including travelling 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, file documentation and more.

Mandatory Training: 

There is a mandatory training for this role from May 1-4. Trainings are held in-person and may require travel within Canada (to Toronto, ON), all costs related to travel and training are paid for by the YMCA.

Location, Period of Employment, and Salary: 

Local Coordinators must live within the community to which they are assigned. Local Coordinators will work 15 hours/week from April 1 to April 21, increasing to 24 hours/week from April 22 to June 1, and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) from June 2 to August 17.  The starting salary is $18.65 per hour.

Eligibility: 

• Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program.
• Available days, evenings, and weekends – must be willing to make the Local Coordinator position your primary professional commitment from June 1st to August 17th. 
• Have internet access for the duration of employment 
• Have valid driver’s licence and access to an insured vehicle; willing to provide a driver’s abstract 
• Have valid Emergency First Aid/CPR certification before the start of the exchange 
• Able to attend the 2 mandatory paid trainings in March and April/May 
• Be available to work full-time the first week of June and on travel days.
• Willingness to travel within Canada. 

Assets for the role: 

• Experience working with children or youth in a community setting 
• 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  
• Strong administrative skills including budget management, reporting and tracking using spreadsheets. 
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting 

For more information and to apply visit: https://swse.ymcagta.org/work-for-us