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. 

We are looking for a dynamic and committed individual who is passionate about linking young Manitobans with the resources that can make their education and career dreams a reality.

Career Trek Inc. is piloting a project that will connect our eligible participants and their families with the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to assist in the planning for post-secondary education and/or training.

Reporting to the Resource Development Officer, the Education Savings Coordinator is responsible for the day‐to‐day development, implementation, and operation of the Educational Savings Pilot Project 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, school divisions, individual schools, and staff members.  They must also be willing to travel to schools in the Winnipeg Region to connect with Career Trek families about education savings options.  

The Education Saving Coordinator is an organized and positive role model with the ability to work both independently and with a team.  The successful candidate will have experience working with youth from a wide range of cultural communities and possess an understanding of barriers to educational attainment.   This individual will have a high degree of financial competence and a willingness to undergo all certification training required by securities regulations. 

The successful candidate will be an employee of Career Trek Inc. but will undergo additional training with C.S.T. Consultants Inc. (CSTC). The successful candidate will be required to complete all required testing to ensure the knowledge of related RESP products and government programs are sound, as would be expected of any representative of CSTC advising families on education savings.

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.
• Required to meet the CSTC standards for certification, which include Solvency, Integrity and Proficiency in RESPs and related regulations. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated accuracy in administrative processes.
• Demonstrated competence in project management.
• Experience working with individuals from a wide range of cultural communities and an understanding of barriers to educational attainment.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Must clear all required Criminal Records and Child Abuse Registry Checks.
• Experience working with Macintosh computers, Microsoft Word and Excel, and eTapestry is an asset.
• A valid driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle are essential.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Administration

• Daily administrative operations including, but not limited to, completion of all administrative processes and forms required by both CSTC, and Career Trek Inc.
• The savings coordinator must be able to communicate effectively with families with low financial literacy, have English as an additional language, or have limited participation in financial systems. It is the responsibility of the savings coordinator to ensure that informed consent is gained from families prior to participation in any education saving options.
• Timelines must be developed and respected to ensure proper implementation of the project over the two-year pilot.
• Implementation of an evaluation system for participants, families, part-time staff, and the program as a whole.
• Model and encourage professional conduct and a good work ethic to deliver the highest quality of services possible.
• Oversee existing Career Trek scholarship activities including award timelines, selection committees, distribution of scholarships, and involvement in development related activities as they relate to Career Trek’s scholarship mission.

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.
• Maintain strong relationships with all program partners, including school divisions, schools, and families in the Winnipeg region.
• Develop presentations for both group settings and individualized approaches to education savings options for eligible Career Trek families.
• Work with the Documentation Specialist to develop policy and procedure manuals.

Implementation

• Manage program budget: track expenses, report variances between actual and budgeted expenses.
• Verify all forms submitted by families are complete and accurate.
• Work respectfully with all cultural communities, being sensitive to issues that have negative impacts on relationship development.
• Engage in open and positive ongoing communication with program staff.
• Work collegially with other development and communications staff and on the organization’s communication and resource development efforts.
• Work collegially with all CSTC staff to ensure the accurate, complete, and timely processing of all required documentation to facilitate the CLB, CESG, and RESP processes.

Key Role Interactions:

• Resource Development Officer and CEO.
• CSTC Winnipeg Branch Manager and other staff.
• School divisions, community groups, and individual schools.
• Career Trek management staff and program staff.
• Media (under direction of the Communications Coordinator).
• Participants.
• Parents / guardians

The application deadline is November 26th, 2014, with interviews taking place November 28th.  The anticipated start date is December 15th, 2014.

Interested applicants can forward a cover letter and resume to Meghan Laube at mlaube at careertrek.ca.  

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No phone calls or e-mail messages, please.

Closing Date:  November 26th, 2014.