About Us
Skills Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting careers in skilled trades and technologies to Ontario youth through a variety of programs and competitions across the province. Skills Ontario’s Mission Statement is “Changing lives and inspiring leaders through skilled trades and technologies.” and have been promoting this since 1989. We are part of a worldwide organization, WorldSkills, with 90 member countries.
Our employees enjoy a casual work environment, flexible schedules, a pet friendly office, and a real opportunity to make a difference!
Skills Ontario is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our organization and is an equal opportunity employer. Representation throughout all programs is essential to Skills Ontario. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Job Summary
As the Competition and Volunteer Program Coordinator, you will play a role in supporting the planning and delivery of the Skills Ontario Competition and related competition programs. Reporting to the Competition Manager, this position combines event coordination, volunteer program administration, relationship building, and operational support to help ensure the successful delivery of one of Ontario's most significant skilled trades and technologies events.
This newly established role brings together several well-established programs and initiatives that have previously been managed by different members of the department. With strong processes and relationships already in place, the successful candidate will focus on providing oversight, strengthening engagement, supporting ongoing improvements, and helping these initiatives continue to evolve.
A focus in the role will be the implementation and ongoing development of the enhanced volunteer program. Following a comprehensive review completed in partnership with Volunteer Canada, the program has moved beyond assessment and recommendations and is now entering the implementation phase. This presents a unique opportunity to help refine processes, establish best practices, and support the continued growth and engagement of volunteers across the organization.
Unlike many volunteer coordination positions, this role focuses less on day-to-day volunteer supervision, with once-a-year programming, and more on developing, implementing, and continuously improving the systems, processes, and practices that support and work with volunteer engagement.
The Competition Department is a small close-knit and highly collaborative team that oversees multiple programs and events throughout the year. We spend a significant amount of time working together during peak event periods, both in the office and onsite, supporting one another through busy seasons and celebrating successes along the way. Success in this environment comes from strong communication, accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, coordinating projects, and bringing people together around a common goal. You are naturally organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities as timelines and deadlines converge. You enjoy balancing administrative responsibilities with people-focused work and take pride in creating positive experiences for volunteers, partners, and participants.
What matters most is a willingness to learn, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and a collaborative mindset. Training, onboarding, and support will be provided for internal systems, competition processes, and the specialized aspects of Skills Ontario's programs.
Key Responsibilities
Provincial Skills Ontario Competition (SOC) – Held in May
- Liaise with volunteers and select contest committees 15-20; review and update contest floor plans, scope and project documentation. Gather contest-specific requirements, quotes, and materials; secure in-kind donations where possible.
- Assist in recruiting, and onboard new Technical Committee Chairs and judges as required.
- Coordinate select competition ordering (e.g., consumables, tools, fencing, tents, bleachers, water trailers/jugs).
- Support administrative duties through out the year
- Develop and maintain a general understanding of registration systems and workflows to support the Competition and Registration Coordinator, to provide backup coverage only and when rarely required.
- Work in partnership with the Competition and Registration Coordinator for Results Night.
- Maintain select on-site distribution lists for purchased, owned, and in-kind materials/equipment.
- Attend occasional in-person meetings, typically held in the evenings or weekends, with potential overnight stay required. Additionally, staff the competition 1.5 weeks onsite in Toronto, with overnight stay required.
- Act as tear-down lead day 1 on-site with another Competition Coordinator
- Meet contractors onsite as required.
- Arrange and drive a small rental van to transport office and sensitive supplies between office and venues for events
- Coordinate post-event digital distribution of certificates.
- Attend in-person in Toronto annually with overnight stay, 10 days
Volunteer Program
- Lead the implementation and ongoing development of the volunteer program, including the refinement and creation of documents, policies, training resources, and templates informed by recommendations from the Volunteer Canada project, in coordination with the Director.
- Maintain and communicate Volunteer Guidebook to volunteers.
- Coordinate annual volunteer reimbursement forms, for a limited number of volunteers
- Conduct the annual distribution and review of the Volunteer Feedback Survey.
- Source and order appreciation thank you gifts.
- Attend fall and spring Tech Chair Meetings (two per year, typically held in the evening).
- Prepare and distribute event-wide volunteer training and event information materials.
- Track and administer years-of-service awards.
- Lead the nominations for the Glen Beatty Award and John Oates Award
- Serve as the primary contact for new volunteer inquiries
- Coordinate volunteer appreciation initiatives throughout the year with the Communications Manager (e.g., National Volunteer Week, discount communications, etc.).
Elementary Workshops
- Secure and organize workshop leads, infrastructure, training, and space in floor plan.
- Coordinate with the programs department for the programming side of activities.
Qualifying Competition – Held in April
- Conduct meetings, scope reviews, and contest updates in coordination with 4 provincial committees.
- Order and arrange contest materials (where not handled by local hosts).
- Coordinate with select minimal locations for catering, participant transportation, and onsite logistics.
- Update event materials, power points, scripts, binders, and shipping of bins.
- Order medals, coordinate training and schedules.
- Support budget reviews with Manager and Director.
- Coordinate post-event digital distribution of certificates.
- Attend in-person with overnight stay, 1-2 days
Team Ontario (Skills Canada National Competition - SCNC) – Held in May
- Assist with Team Ontario packing and support onsite logistics and emerging needs.
- Travel with Team Ontario out of province, with overnight stay, 5+ days
- Engage with competitors, getting to know them, identify potential alumni spokespeople; maintain post-event database of those candidates for outreach.
- Listed as an additional driver for rental vehicle(s).
- Coordinate annual post-event competitor and delegate surveys.
- Coordinate mailing of SCNC banners and certificates post-event.
Warehouse and Inventory
- Assist alongside the department and Warehouse Lead, inventory during summer and other designated times as required of competition equipment and materials
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education an asset or relative experience (e.g., Volunteer Coordination, Event Coordination, Administration, Skilled Trades, Teaching/Education, etc)
- Experience developing, coordinating, implementing, and/or administering volunteer programs, including volunteer policies, screening practices, onboarding processes, engagement strategies, and recognition initiatives, is preferred, or willing to obtain through continuing education supported by Skills Ontario
- Excellent relationship and communication skills (written and verbal).
- Organize multiple priorities and projects as timelines and deadlines converge.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Canva, Adobe, or similar platforms is considered an asset; training available.
- Experience with CRM databases and Jotform considered an asset; training provided.
- Valid G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required.
- Ability to work extended hours during peak periods (e.g., mainly March–May).
- Comfortable with physical tasks such as light lifting and maneuvering carts or trolleys.
- Forklift certification (electric) should assistance by the Warehouse Lead be required, or willingness to obtain (training and certification arranged for by Skills Ontario).
- Standard First Aid, CPR, and/or Mental Performance training, or willingness to obtain (training and/or certification arranged for by Skills Ontario)..
- Must successfully complete a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check (arranged and paid for by Skills Ontario).
- Fluency in English required; French considered an asset.
Why Join Skills Ontario
- Competitive Employee Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits plan (including but not limited to: dental, orthodontics, prescription drug coverage, paramedical services, vision, etc), a pension program, an at home office allowance, and paid time off during our annual holiday office shutdown. Employees also enjoy holiday and milestone gifts, years of service recognition, a hybrid working environment, flexible schedule, and opportunity for lieu hours, and a birthday meal. Additionally, we provide a dedicated learning budget for Truth and Reconciliation education, opportunities to participate in Bring Your Kid to Work Day, and continuous professional development resources to support career growth (example: college continuing education).
- Hybrid Work Model (Competition Department)
- Remote: virtually from home
- In-person: Waterloo. Our in-person work model is flexible and determined collaboratively by the department based on operational needs. Typically, team members work onsite approximately one day per week, increasing to about three days per week in March, and five days per week during peak event season (April-May).
How To Apply
Applicants should send:
- One document which includes a cover letter and resume
- PDF format
- Emailed to the Competitions Manager, Kate Belair at [email protected], and the Director of Competitions and Business Development, Jennifer Green [email protected]
- Subject Line: Application – Competition and Volunteer Program Coordinator
- No later than September 11, 2026
This posting is for a new vacancy. Our hiring process does not involve the use of artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants.
Skills Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or status. Skills Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with exceptionalities. Skills Ontario is committed to accommodating applicants with exceptionalities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Pay: $53,000.00-$59,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Waterloo, ON (Waterloo District)
