Job Description

JOB POSTING – Youth Programs Coordinator

Are you passionate about fostering Indigenous youth leadership?
Are you keen to put your creative, organizational, and cultural skills to use towards meaningful work?
Do you want to spend your summer coordinating leadership opportunities for Indigenous youth?

Title: Youth Programs Coordinator
Program: TRACKS Youth Programming
Work term: 35 hours/week for 20 weeks between May and September*
Wage: $22.00/hour
Number of positions: 1

PLEASE NOTE: the availability of this position is conditional on funding, which we expect to confirm in April.

*This role will be full time May through August and finish part-time throughout September. TRACKS encourages staff to continue working with us in many different capacities. Successful applicants for this role may have the opportunity to transition to other positions in the organization after the summer/camp season.

Program Description
TRACKS facilitates dynamic, land-based youth programming that braids multiple knowledges by centring Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We are based on Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg territory, hosted by Trent University within the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences Program (IESS) and operate in partnership with founding partner organization Kawartha World Issues Centre and the First Peoples House of Learning. We deliver both free programming with First Nations and urban Indigenous community partners as well as a series of fee-for-service camps and workshops for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. TRACKS delivers its programming in a diversity of forms including camps, classroom and in community-workshops, the Oshkwazin Program, outreach events, special projects, placement and volunteer opportunities.

Position Details*
The TRACKS Youth Programs Coordinator is responsible for the development and delivery of TRACKS Youth Programming, including supervising staff. In addition to other aspects of TRACKS’ Oshkwazin Program, this position will be primarily responsible for coordinating the Oshkwazin Trailblazers, a for-credit land-based employment opportunity for high school Indigenous youth. Working closely with TRACKS coordinators and leadership team, this position will also work to develop and coordinate the delivery of other youth programming (exclusive of camps) during the summer. All TRACKS programming takes place within a 100km radius of Peterborough, or at Trent University.

*This position is new in 2024. As such, roles and responsibilities may evolve over the course of the contract to best support TRACKS programming.

Roles and Responsibilities
Program Development and Delivery
● Lead development and preparation of TRACKS Youth programming, specifically TRACKS Oshkwazin Trailblazers summer programs in alignment with TRACKS mandate and vision
● Supervise delivery and ensure quality of Trailblazers program including land camps
● Supervise and support the successful accreditation of the Trailblazers land-based employment opportunity through the Actua Academy in coordination with the School Programs Coordinator and Oshkwazin Trailblazers Supervisor
● Coordinate TRACKS Youth Programming including Cultural Connections and other workshops
● Strengthen and build relationships with First Nations and local Indigenous organizations to seek opportunities for youth recruitment, partnership and program delivery
● Engage Elders and Knowledge Holders, as well as TRACKS coordinators and leadership team, as needed to ensure youth programming is culturally relevant and dynamic
● Actively assess new opportunities, partnerships and collaborations that strengthen TRACKS youth programming in consultation with TRACKS coordinators and leadership team
● Assess strength of existing youth programming, including workshops and other curriculum, and develop new initiatives
● Actively participate as the TRACKS representative for YCME, including supporting YCME Summit planning and delivery in September 2024
● Manage program spending and reporting related to youth program operations
● Conduct and assist with program evaluation for youth programming
● Represent/present TRACKS, as appropriate
● Convene youth programming-related committees/mentorship circles, as needed
● Support coordination of the annual end of summer celebration, as part of the TRACKS summer schedule and the Trailblazers accreditation process
● Other programming duties as required

Administration & Staffing
● Lead the recruitment and hiring of summer youth programming staff including Oshkwazin Trailblazers Supervisor, Oshkwazin Trailblazer Youth and Focus on Youth Placement Student
● This position directly supervises the Oshkwazin Trailblazers Supervisor, jointly supervises the Focus on Youth Placement Student and indirectly supervises the Oshkwazin Trailblazers (approximately 6 Trailblazers)
● Supervise and evaluate youth programming staff, referring to the TRACKS Human Resources Manual, Policies and Procedures, and TRACKS approved annual budget
● Work with TRACKS coordinators and leadership to connect with KPRDSB contact to support Focus on Youth student as needed
● Develop and deliver and/or oversee training and orientation for youth programming staff and volunteers
● Provide appropriate mentorship to youth, including high school aged staff, facilitating a positive learning experience
● Convene regular meetings with program staff and volunteers, performance meetings and exit interviews, as required
● Monitor and approve staff payroll on a weekly basis; inform Trent Faculty Supervisor of discrepancies
● Ensure confidentiality and security of financial and HR records
● Ensure tracking of program and grant deliverables for the purpose of evaluation and reporting
● Prepare/submit and/or approve invoices and expense requisitions to the TRACKS Bookkeeper
● Develop youth programming staff positions, job descriptions and contracts (as needed)
● Complete an end of summer Youth Programming Report to be shared with TRACKS Steering Team
● Support with any requirements from our funders (ex. funder visits, Bring your MP to STEM Camp Week, etc.)
● Support leadership team in securing funding for Oshkwazin Trailblazers program as needed (incl. contributing to grant proposals, etc.)
● Other duties as assigned/needed

Communication
● Work closely with the TRACKS coordinators, leadership team and Communications and Social Media Lead to develop and oversee the implementation of strategic communication and marketing plans, that includes regular communication with key partners and communities (marketing for camp programs)
● Oversee youth programming specific press/media releases
● Provide program and impact details for the TRACKS Annual Report and other communication materials, as needed
● Other duties as assigned/needed

Required Skills and Qualifications
● A strong foundation in Indigenous language, culture and/or land-based learning, and a passion to share this with Indigenous youth
● Strong knowledge of issues affecting Indigenous youth and experience working in Indigenous communities.
● Experience in leading teams including ability to work with and supervise others in collaborative, encouraging and motivating ways
● Demonstrated ability to develop and manage projects and programs with attention to detail as well as big-picture approach
● Experience working with Indigenous communities and within educational or culture-based contexts
● Strong organizational skills, independent work ethic and reliability
● Strong teamwork and willingness to collaborate with others
● Reliable and respectful communication towards coworkers and supervisors
● Experience with conflict resolution
● Willing to work a flexible schedule, with the occasional evening or weekend hours
● Successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Vulnerable Sector Check prior to employment

Extra Qualifications and Assets
● Anishinaabemowin (or other traditional language) skills
● Knowledge of and experience in working with and building relationships with various communities, community members (including Elders and Knowledge Holders), and organizations in and around Nogojiwanong
● Traditional skills such as beading, dancing, sewing, harvesting, tracking, etc.
● Knowledge and understanding of TRACKS’ programming and approach
● Valid driver’s license and access to vehicle
● Experience in program evaluation
● First aid training

TRACKS Hiring Policies
TRACKS strives for equity in its hiring and specifically welcomes applications from all qualified candidates including those experiencing marginalization, including Indigenous people (including First Nation, Metis, Inuit and non-status), women, people with disabilities, people of colour, those identifying as two-spirit or LGBTQ, parents and caregivers, and those dealing with adversity in their lives. We commit to making reasonable accommodations for those needing additional support, as much as possible within the expectations and requirements of this position.

IMPORTANT: Indigenous applicants will be given special consideration as we strive to honour Indigenous knowledge and strengthen Indigenous leadership within our program.

Why work for TRACKS?
TRACKS places high priority on providing training and professional development opportunities for all employees. By working with TRACKS, you can expect to grow your resume and build competencies which are valuable to future employers. These competencies include:
● Building relationships with Indigenous youth, knowledge holders and communities and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in the spirit of reconciliation and co-learning
● Opportunities to learn about interconnections between multiple knowledge systems/ways of knowing
● Critical thinking and problem solving
● Innovation and creativity in relation to program development
● Other interpersonal, intrapersonal and cognitive skills such as collaboration, effective communication/active listening, self-evaluation, adaptive learning, conflict resolution and more

You will also have the opportunity to be involved in various types of training and have the freedom to pursue your individual interests related to Indigenous ways of knowing. This position will also allow you to access resources available through Trent University, and other affiliated programs such as First Peoples House of Learning, KWIC, Actua, and more.

Application and Submission
Please submit the following in a single .pdf document with title in the format of LASTNAME_YouthCoordinator:
1. Cover letter
● Please do not repeat your resume in your cover letter. Your cover letter should answer the following question using anecdotes, personal experiences and more: Why is it important to provide dedicated opportunities for building Indigenous youth leadership?
2. Current resume
3. Contact information for three references
● At least two of your references must be past employers

Applications will be accepted until March 28th at 11:59pm. Interviews will take place the week of April 1st, 2024. Please submit your application at our website: https://www.tracksprogram.ca/youth-programs-coordinator

IMPORTANT: Your application is unlikely to be reviewed if you do not follow all the guidelines for submission stated here.
Please send questions regarding the application process to Madison Laurin, at [email protected].

Thank you, Miigwech, Nia:wen for your application. Only applicants chosen for interviews will be contacted.

Required languages: English

Education level: N/A

Required skills: See job posting

Closest intersection: Nassau Mills Rd & East Bank Dr