Volunteer and Community Engagement Student

Job Responsibility: March 18th, 2025 Student Placement Posting #2025-STU-4

Part Time Placement / Internship Student

Volunteer and Community Engagement Student

[6 Month Vacancy]

The York Region Children's Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.

Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centered care, we engage with children and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.

YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children, youth and families thrive.

To support us on our journey, YRCAS is looking for a Volunteer and Community Engagement Student to support our Equity, Innovation and Community Engagement Department.

Why Complete A Student Placement or Internship With Us?

• Hybrid working model (working virtual and in person).
• Casual dress code.
• Shortened Summer hours.
• Mileage Reimbursement.
• Enhanced Wellness Initiatives and Virtual Fitness Classes.
• The support of a dedicated student mentor and committed team to enhance your learning and provide opportunities for knowledge and skill development within and beyond the placement student role, including but not limited to: departmental shadowing opportunities, internal and external learning and development opportunities, opportunities to participate in Agency committees, projects and events, and more!

SUMMARY OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting the Equity, Innovation, and Community Engagement Department, the Volunteer and Community Engagement Student will play a key role in designing, implementing, and managing initiatives that enhance volunteer engagement and community impact. This role combines volunteer recruitment, training, and retention with project coordination, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration to support the well-being of diverse children, youth, and families in York Region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement volunteer recruitment strategies to attract diverse and skilled volunteers.
• Work with internal teams and external partners to identify volunteer needs and create meaningful opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, businesses, and other stakeholders to expand volunteer engagement.
• Track and analyze volunteer data, engagement trends, and program impact to optimize recruitment and retention strategies.
• Organize volunteer recognition programs and events to celebrate contributions and boost engagement.
• Develop policies, procedures, and best practices for effective volunteer management and risk mitigation.
• Act as a liaison between volunteers, staff, and community partners to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and milestones for volunteer initiatives and community-driven programs.
• Coordinate multiple project activities, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Analyze and interpret relevant data to support project planning and decision-making processes.
• Manage project budgets, resources, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation, including status reports, meeting minutes, and evaluations.
• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies to address challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and external partners to ensure alignment with broader agency goals.
• Support the development of strategic volunteer engagement initiatives that align with equity-driven organizational priorities.
• Track project progress, conduct performance analysis, and generate reports for key stakeholders.
• Present project updates and findings to senior leaders and community partners.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent engagement and presentation skills, with the ability to provide information, generate interest, and inspire diverse groups.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Analytical mindset with strong on-the-spot critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage effectively with team members and project stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration, team-orientation and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive and detail-oriented approach to work, with a passion for continuous improvement.
• A curious, creative and innovative mindset.
• Strong results orientation and solution-focus, with the ability to maintain flexibility and adapt to new information and circumstances.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and familiarity with project management tools.
• A driver's license and access to reliable transportation and/or the ability to travel regularly within York Region is required.
• Lived experience as a member or ally of an equity deserving group is preferred.
• Residence within, and lived experience and knowledge of York Region, is highly preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a 3-Year Diploma, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree or PHD in a relevant field. Internationally educated professionals are eligible and encouraged to apply.
• Excellent knowledge of project design, project management principles, and project management processes and methodologies.
• Experience in managing challenging and complex projects, preferably with a not-for-profit or child welfare organization.
• Working experience in volunteer coordination, engagement and/or recruitment is preferred.
• Experience using project management tools is preferred.

HOURLY RATE: $18 - $25 per hour.

HOURS OF WORK : Up to 25 hours per week.

Candidates who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply and should do so in writing to View email address on ca.edajobs.com no later than 11:59PM on March 27th, 2025.

Please quote job posting #2025-STU-4 Volunteer and Community Engagement Student.

We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions.

Employment at York Region Children's Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, a class “G” driver's license with daily access to an insured vehicle, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination (2 doses required), as per YRCAS' Mandatory COVID-19 policy.

York Region Children's Aid Society works in a hybrid virtual and on-site working environment.

Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at York Region Children's Aid Society

YRCAS is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages application from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

York Region Children's Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process. The current posting is in search of candidates who identified from the following equity seeking groups; women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.

Vaccination Policy

The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all of the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date. The candidate will be asked to provide York Region Children's Aid Society with proof of full vaccination, prior to the candidate's employment start date. Acceptable proof includes an Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine receipt which you can obtain through the Provincial portal or other government-issued vaccine passport or certification. As described above, the requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for a reason protected by the Code, requests for accommodation from the vaccine policy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to York Region Children's Aid Society accommodation process.

Accommodation at YRCAS

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants that may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview.

Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

Children at the heart of all that we do!