Department: Community Outreach
Work Hours: Up to 29 hours per week
Deadline to Apply: October 30, 2026
Why You’ll Love Working With Us:
In addition to working with an amazing team in an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success, we offer the following benefits to eligible employees:
- Paid Vacation Entitlements that increase with seniority
- Paid Personal days and sick days
- A generous employer-paid Group Health benefit plan starting from day 1, with 3 flexible options to choose from
- A Defined Contribution Pension Plan with up to 5% employer matching
- Mental Health on Demand (MHOD) Program
- Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues
- Paid professional development opportunities
- Reduced rates for YMCA Child Care, Camp, and Child & Youth programs (subject to availability)
- Free staff YMCA Health & Fitness Memberships
Position Overview:
The After-School Program Instructor reports directly to the Area Supervisor, Beyond of the Bell (BTB). This position is responsible for the supervision of children in grades 1 to 5, creating and delivering safe, age-appropriate after school programming designed to empower students to reach their full potential and succeed in their education. Beyond the Bell is a Community Outreach program serving vulnerable populations in underserved communities, where educators provide learning enrichment activities to the children we serve.
Strong performers will be offered professional growth and leadership opportunities through community engagement and program development initiatives.
This is a great opportunity for an individual interested in working with the YMCA HBB as a charitable organization.
What You'll Do:
- Deliver safe and quality programs for participants, in collaboration with other staff, to ensure compliance with established YMCA policies, procedures, best practices, and program standards.
- Design and implement child-centered and individualized activity plans that meet the individual developmental needs of participants, and academic goals of the program.
- Complete and submit weekly activity plans and daily documentation with a focus on detail and accuracy.
- Provide homework support to children in grades 1-5 who are experiencing academic difficulties, as required.
- Identify problems and ensure issues are addressed by the appropriate supervisor/manager.
- Organize and maintain program supplies and inventory.
- Attend staff training and professional development activities, as required.
- This position requires availability to work between the hours of 2:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (shift times vary based on school location) Monday to Friday, with ability to maintain a flexible schedule to manage issues, concerns, and problems as they may arise.
- Programs are based out of a shared space within the school, therefore, requiring movement and set up of equipment on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis.
What You'll Bring:
- A minimum of 6 months’ experience working with children in direct program delivery.
- Enrollment in a post-secondary program in Child and Youth Studies, Recreation and Leisure, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience working directly with children with different learning abilities and/or other special needs, and vulnerable populations.
- Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity.
- Ability to actively engage children, employing a child-centered and interest-based approach.
- Effective time management skills; must be able to plan and prioritize work assignments.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated and able to work well independently and in a team environment.
- Valid Intermediate/Standard First Aid and CPR-C including AED training certificate is required
- Food Handling Certificate (Preferred)
This position requires a commitment to the YMCA HBB mission and core values of: Inclusion, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as a commitment to building developmental assets in children and adults.
All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable persons will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire. Police Records Checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offence(s), if any, is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children; therefore, not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.
Organizational Overview
As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA HBB connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and healthy living. The YMCA HBB works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA HBB's determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility
The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.
We understand the social barriers preventing individuals from applying for open roles. We encourage those from the Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disabled communities to apply.
If you need any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People, Leadership and Culture Department (PLC) at @[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
Ready to Make a Difference?
The YMCA is a charity that ignites the potential in people. #YSavesLives starts with building a strong community. If you’re passionate about people and excited to lead impactful initiatives, we want to hear from you!
Required
-
Ability to actively engage children, employing a child-centered and interest-based approach.
-
6 months’ experience working with children in direct program delivery.
-
Experience working directly with children with different learning abilities and/or other special needs, and vulnerable populations.
-
Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity.
Preferred
-
Self-motivated and able to work well independently and in a team environment.
Required
-
CPR C
-
Standard First Aid
-
Police Check
Preferred
-
Food Handling Certificate
Required
-
Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
-
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
-
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Preferred
-
Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
-
Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Required
-
Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
-
Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Preferred
-
Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals
-
Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
