Children's Program Assistant

Purpose

Children’s Program Assistants provide additional opportunities for children to interact with positive role models, building relationships with responsible adults who care about them and are invested in them. They also provide additional support to IRCOM staff and expand the range of programming IRCOM is able to provide to our children.

 

Position Summary

Children’s Program Assistants operate in IRCOM’s Children’s Program as part of our After School Programs (ASP). Children’s Program runs from 4-6pm Monday to Friday with some exceptions.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Act as a positive role model at all times
  • Actively engage with children and participate in program activities
  • Build relationships with the children in a way appropriate to their age
  • Maintain good communication with IRCOM staff
  • Assist with set up and clean up
  • Be familiar with program guidelines and help enforce them as needed and appropriate
  • Ask IRCOM staff for assistance as needed and appropriate
  • Speak English during program times
  • Minimize distractions (turn off cell phones)
  • Sign in and out of each shift
  • If under 18, must check in with staff mentor at the end of each shift

 

Time Requirements

This position requires volunteers to come once a week for two hours. The minimum time commitment is for three months.

 

Skills and Qualifications

  • Must be friendly and approachable
  • Must be sensitive to cultural differences and the impact of previous experiences on children
  • Must be flexible, as programs sometimes change last minute
  • Experience working with children an asset, but not required
  • Experience as a newcomer or working with newcomers an asset, but not required
  • Must complete required trainings provided by IRCOM (see below)
  • Must complete a satisfactory criminal record check and child abuse registry check
  • Must be 15 years or older

 

Orientation and Training

All Children’s Program Assistants must participate in a leadership training focused on how to work effectively with children, as well as an introduction to Children’s Program guidelines.

All Children’s Program Assistants are encouraged to participate in other trainings offered to IRCOM volunteers throughout the year. 

Volunteers can request IRCOM's support to attend other training that is relevant to their position at IRCOM.

 

Supervision

Children’s Program Assistants are under the direct supervision of ASP staff but can also expect to interact regularly with, and be held accountable by, Volunteer and Community Services Program (VCSP) staff. VCSP staff should be considered a supportive resource for volunteers.

 

Supporting Policies

Please refer to IRCOM’s Volunteer Handbook, which will be provided to you at your interview.

 

Working Conditions

Varied, usually at IRCOM but field trips are frequent, transportation to and from field trips provided from IRCOM, usually indoors, usually wheelchair accessible (can’t guarantee for field trips), full of youthful energy, can be loud, movement and standing may be required

 

Benefits

  • A chance to build relationships and support newcomer children
  • A chance to learn about other cultures and share your own
  • Many chances to experience new activities
  • Access to all trainings offered to IRCOM volunteers
  • The chance to develop your own communication and leadership skills
  • Participate in volunteer recognition events held throughout the year
  • Reference letter provided after 3 months of consistent volunteer service
  • Access to all of IRCOM’s internal job postings