We are looking for a dynamic and committed individual who is passionate about educational programming and career development for youth.

We are a not-for-profit organization that helps young people discover the importance of post- secondary education and career planning by providing hands-on occupation-oriented programming at post-secondary institutions and training sites across Manitoba.

Get Ready to Work! is a focused career discovery program where participants get to choose one-of-twelve occupations and spend 20-weeks investigating it. Participants zero in on a specific industry and learn directly from professionals or post-secondary students in a relevant workplace or training environment.

Participants spend two-to-four hours each week from October to May learning about their occupation of choice. Programming runs on weekday evenings and weekends; consequently, some evening and weekend work is required.

Reporting to the Program Director, the Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day development, implementation, and operation of the Get Ready to Work! program and works with all staff members to ensure appropriate infrastructure is in place to effectively administer the program.

Community outreach is an essential component of this position. The successful candidate must be able to establish and strengthen relationships with participants and their families, affiliated industry professionals and representatives, sector councils, community groups, individual schools, post-secondary institutions, and staff members.

The Program Manager is an organized and positive role model with the ability to work both independently and with a team. Additionally, it is preferred that the Program Manager have experience working with youth from a wide range of cultural communities and an understanding of barriers to educational attainment.

Qualifications and Attributes

• A dynamic team player with a demonstrated history of professional innovation who feels a passionate commitment to Career Trek’s vision, mission, and beliefs.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma preferably with related professional experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated competence in project management.
• Demonstrated human resource skills.
• Experience working with youth from a wide range of cultural communities and an understanding of barriers to educational attainment.
• Ability to work autonomously. Experience working with Macintosh computers, Microsoft Word and Excel, and FileMaker is an asset.
• A valid drivers license and a vehicle are essential.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Administration:

• Daily administrative operations including biweekly payroll reports, contributions to proposals, budget maintenance, report writing, database maintenance, inputting of attendance, and processing of employment applications.
• Implementation of evaluation system for participants, families, part-time staff, and the program as a whole.

Supervision:

• Implement recruiting procedures for staff and junior staff members.
• Hire, train, mentor, and evaluate staff and volunteers.
• Model and encourage professional conduct and work ethic to deliver the highest quality of services possible to ensure the good reputation of the organization.

Development:

• Provide leadership to further Career Trek’s culture, mission, vision, and statements of belief.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with participants and their families, affiliated industry professionals and representatives, sector councils, community groups, individual schools, post-secondary institutions, and staff members.
• Work with the Curriculum Development Team, industry professionals, program partners, and instructors to develop curriculum.
• Maintain strong relationships with all program partners.
• Review and further develop the existing recruitment strategy to better meet the goals and objectives of the program.
• Work with the Documentation Specialist to develop policy manuals and handbooks.
• Collaborate with the Career Development Specialist to ensure that career development is infused into the program.
• Re-develop the existing template for the family orientation and implement accordingly.

Implementation:

• Manage program budget: track expenses, report variances between actual and budgeted expenses, follow-up on outstanding purchase orders, etc.
• Find replacements for participants removed from programming.
• Ensure the safety of participants and staff by following Career Trek’s risk management guidelines.
• Verify all forms submitted by families are complete and accurate.
• Provide regular on-site supervision at the program on evenings and weekends. Work respectfully with all cultural communities, being sensitive to issues that have negative impacts on learning.
• Engage in open and positive ongoing communication with program staff.
• Build upon and implement the program action plan – booking rooms, departmental meetings, purchasing equipment, supplies, etc.
• Work collegially with the Resource Development Officer and Communications Coordinator on the organization’s communication and fund development efforts.
• Design and implement templates for finale events and new project launches

Key Role Interactions:

• Program partners – industry professionals and representatives, sector councils, community groups, individual schools, and post-secondary institutions.
• Career Trek management staff and program staff
• Media (under direction of the Communications Coordinator)
• Participants
• Parents / guardians
• Junior Staff Mentors (as applicable)

The application deadline is July 26, 2014, with interviews and hiring taking place July 30 – 31, 2014. The anticipated start date is August 25, 2014.

Interested applicants can forward a cover letter and resume to Lasha Stordeur at lstordeur@careertrek.ca.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Closing Date: July 26, 2014