POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the children and youth program worker is a competent individual committed to IRCOM’s vision and mandate of empowering newcomer families to integrate into the wider community through affordable transitional housing, programs, and services to facilitate their integration to their new home in Canada. The children and youth worker is a vibrant, resourceful individual able to meet the challenges of working with a culturally diverse group of children and youth. He/she will work towards empowering program participants to take an active interest in healthy living through recreational, outreach and educational activities. The preferred candidate will uphold and exhibit the core values of respect, non-violence, equality, fairness, team work, and optimism.

DUTIES:

Specific duties

• Assist the Program Coordinator in planning, designing and implementing activities geared to engage children and youth in recreation and educational programs.
• Be the primary lead in designing, planning and implementing educational and recreational programs geared towards engaging parents and their children in the family program once a week.
• Plan for and run the children’s variety night program ensuring a mix of different activities incorporating both literacy and recreational components.
• With help of the program coordinator, acquaint yourself with the afterschool program evaluation with a view to independently planning and implementing evaluation activities and reporting to the funder.
• Prepare monthly calendars indicating the programming activities for the month.
• Where necessary, assist the program coordinator in writing grant letters and reporting to funders.
• Assist in applying for and renew gym permits and visit off-site facilities on a regular basis.
• Assist with planning field trips and special events.
• Keep accurate daily records of participants; assist in administrative tasks as assigned.
• Represent the program coordinator in coalition meetings and other partner’s meetings where necessary.

General Duties

• Develop relationships with newcomer children and youth and their families and be a positive role model.
• Encourage educational development and literacy among newcomer children and youth and assist in planning and implementing reading, homework and tutoring programs.
• Work in cooperation with other programs at IRCOM, including the Volunteer Program, Community Resource Worker, Housing and Newcomer Literacy Initiative.
• Implement and enforce rules and behaviour expectations. Work through conflict situation calmly and with the goal of developing respect and mutual understanding.
• Mediate between youth who are disagreeing & promote peaceful conflict resolution.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to teach respect and develop non-violent behaviour.
• Supervise unstructured play time, as well as sports and recreation activities.
• Work in collaboration with partner agencies through outreach activities and joint events.
• Other duties as assigned.

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this position is to promote healthy living and community building for
IRCOM children and youth through active participation in year-round recreation and education programs. IRCOM programs seek to empower participants to develop a sense of confidence and belonging that will ensure their successful transition to life in Canada.

QUALIFICATION:
A minimum of one to three years of experience in children and youth programming within government, education or in not-for-profit sector. A bachelor’s degree in the fields of international development, social work, sports and recreation programming or other related fields or social science is an asset. A combination of education and work experience in a related field is acceptable. Candidates must have the ability to prioritize work, possess strong written and oral communication skills, be personable, and be able to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.  The candidate must also be able to work with minimum supervision and as a part of a team. The candidate must undergo Criminal Record Background check, and Child Abuse Registry check.  Holding a valid Drivers Licence, having a personal vehicle, having CPR and Non-Violence Crisis Intervention training and ability to speak an additional language specifically Tigrinya and French would be considered assets.

HOURS OF WORK:
A 20-30 hour work week to be arranged in consultation with the Program Coordinator with an unpaid lunch/dinner hour. The person hired will schedule her/his work around the program needs, will work evenings and some weekends. Overtime work is compensated by equivalent time-off, and must be authorized by the Program Coordinator or the Executive Director where necessary.

TIMELINE & SALARY AND BENEFITS:
This position is a contract position that will run from January 2010 to the end of June 2010, with the possibility of an extension. It is a six month term part-time position between 20-30 hours a week (to be determined upon hiring) at $10.00 hr plus 4% vacation pay.

Please send a cover letter and résumé with references by mail, fax or email to:

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Inc.

You can apply by fax to 943-4810, by email to info@ircom.ca or drop off at the IRCOM Office at 95 Ellen Street.  Applications must be received by December 15, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

In the subject line, please note: Application for Part time Children and Youth Worker Position.

NB:  IRCOM Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Interested applicants can identify themselves as belonging to one of the Visible Minority categories designated by the Federal Government. We thank all applicants; however, we will only contact those who have been selected for an interview.