Join Our Team!

Seasonal employment: Part-time January to May, Full time June to August
Location:  South shore of Montreal
For French go here.

Be the Spark! Join our passionate team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Each summer, 16- and 17-year-old Canadian youth spend six weeks in another province, living with a local host, gaining paid work experience, practicing their second official language, and participating in weekly program activities.

Support Coordinators serve as team leads for the program in their region. Before the exchange begins, they assist in the hiring process for Local Coordinators, promote the program to youth, support the interview and selection process for participants, and connect with community partners to secure job placements. During the exchange, Support Coordinators guide their local team, supporting youth as they navigate their new environments and delivering a full program of activities.

Responsibilities:

• Support the hiring and training process for Local Coordinators and provide ongoing leadership to the local team.
• Promote the program in communities and support the selection of youth participants, host families, and employment partners.
• Support Local Coordinators to safely plan and deliver program activities in line with program objectives, including managing activity budgets.
• Act as a bridge between the Regional Coordinator and the Local Coordinators, including monitoring compliance with program policies and objectives.
• Build positive relationships with youth exchange participants, host families, employers, and other local community partners; visit program sites during the exchange period and respond to conflict and emergencies as they arise.
• Support participant travel between provinces, including traveling with participants to their host community or providing logistical support at departure points.
• Write a comprehensive report at the end of the summer summarizing the program’s results.
• Fulfill administrative duties in a timely manner, including promotional tracking, case noting, incident reporting, expense claim tracking, and file documentation.
• Assume the role of Local Coordinator in certain situations as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Oriented, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program or equivalent experience.
• Valid Emergency First Aid/CPR certification before the start of the exchange.
• At least one year of experience working with youth in a community program context.
• Experience in a leadership role, either professionally or in student leadership.
• Experience working in a role requiring interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in problem solving and conflict resolution in a professional context.
• Previous experience working in the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange program, an asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation, an asset.
• Ability to communicate in both French and English, an asset.
• Strong administrative skills, including budget management, reporting, and tracking using spreadsheets.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Ability to attend and support three mandatory paid trainings in January, March, and April/May.
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle; willing to provide a driver’s abstract.
• Internet access for the duration of employment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and weekends.
• Willingness to travel within Canada.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently with youth, families, and community partners.
• Customer service skills, ensuring a positive and supportive experience for participants and stakeholders.
• Well-developed organizational skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks, schedules, and program requirements.
• A high level of reliability, with a consistent commitment to fulfilling responsibilities and supporting program success.
• Prior training in mental health support and suicide intervention (e.g., MHFA, ASIST, etc.).
• Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ-positive, critical disability, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging.

Mandatory Training and scheduled work days:

• Three mandatory training sessions will take place. The first will occur in mid-January. The second session will take place over a weekend in early March and the third in late April/early May.  Exact dates will be confirmed at the time of interviewing.
• Trainings are held in-person and may require travel within Canada for two to four days; all costs related to travel and training are paid for by the YMCA.
• All Support Coordinators are also required to work full-time during business hours the first week of June, and are required to be available on June 27 and August 8 during travel days.

Location, Period of Employment, and Salary:

• Positions are available throughout Canada. Support Coordinators must live within their assigned region.
• Support Coordinators will work 15 hours/week from January 11 to April 25, increasing to 24 hours/week from April 26 to May 30, and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) from May 31 until August 15. The starting salary is $21.10 per hour.

Application deadline: January 4, 2026

Apply

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here. (French: ici)

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.

Seasonal employment: Part-time March to May, Full time June to August
Location: 

• British Columbia: Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna/Vernon
• Saskatchewan: Saskatoon
• Ontario: Gatineau, Durham
• Quebec: Beauport, Quebec City, Louis St Laurent, Trois Rivières, Shawinigan, Laval, Longueil / Boucherville, St. Jean

For French go here.

Be the Spark! Join our passionate team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. Each summer, 16- and 17-year-old Canadian youth spend six weeks in another province, living with a local host, gaining paid work experience, practicing their second official language, and taking part in weekly program activities.

Local Coordinators (LCs) serve as the main link between participants, community members, and the SWSE program. Before the exchange begins, they promote the program to youth and community groups, lead the interview and selection process, and help prepare youth and families for the experience. During the exchange, Local Coordinators act as trusted mentors, guiding youth through a full program of activities and providing support as they adapt to their new environments.

Responsibilities:

• Promote the program in communities and support the selection of youth participants, host families, and employment partners.
• Interview and select youth participants and families/hosts, and conduct a pre-departure information session with support.
• Plan local activities aligned with program objectives and manage an activity budget.
• Build positive relationships with youth exchange participants, host families, employers, and other local partners; visit program sites and respond to conflict and emergencies as they arise.
• Support participant travel between provinces, including traveling with participants to their host community or providing logistical support at departure points.
• Write a comprehensive report at the end of the summer summarizing the program’s results.
• Fulfill administrative duties in a timely manner, including promotional tracking, case noting, incident reporting, expense claim tracking, and file documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services.
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Oriented, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program or equivalent experience.
• Valid Emergency First Aid/CPR certification before the start of the exchange.
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle; willing to provide a driver’s abstract.
• Previous experience working with youth and/or experiential education programs.
• Internet access for the duration of employment.
• Be able to attend the two mandatory paid trainings in March and April/May.
• Availability to work full-time the first week of June and on travel days.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and weekends – must be willing to make the Local Coordinator position, your primary professional commitment, from June 1st to August 14th.
• Willingness to travel within Canada.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently with youth, families, and community partners.
• Strong customer service skills, ensuring a positive and supportive experience for participants and stakeholders.
• Well-developed organizational skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks, schedules, and program requirements.
• A high level of reliability, with a consistent commitment to fulfilling responsibilities and supporting program success.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and building a sense of belonging.

Assets:

• Preference will be given to candidates able to communicate in both French and English
• Prior participation in the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange program
• Prior training in mental health support and suicide intervention (e.g. MHFA, ASIST, etc.)
• Experience in training and facilitation
• Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ-positive, critical disability, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice

Mandatory Training and scheduled work days:

• Two mandatory training sessions will take place. The first session will take place over a weekend in early March and the second in late April/early May.  Exact dates will be confirmed at the time of interviewing.
• Trainings are held in-person and may require travel within Canada for two to four days; all costs related to travel and training are paid for by the YMCA.
• All Local Coordinators are also required to work full-time during business hours the first week of June, and are required to be available on June 27 and August 8 during travel days.

Location, Period of Employment, and Salary:

• Positions are available throughout Canada. Local Coordinators must live within their assigned region.
• Local Coordinators will work 12 hours/week from early March to April 25, increasing to 24 hours/week from April 26 to May 30, and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) from May 31 until August 15.  The starting salary is $20.50 per hour.

Application deadline: January 4, 2026

Apply

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here. (French: ici)

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.

Title: Program Coordinator

Location: Montreal, Quebec

Program: Summer Jobs - Student Exchanges

Position Status: Full-time, Salaried Contract until March 31, 2027

Anticipated Start Date: January 14, 2026

Deadline to Apply: January 4, 2026

Compensation: $56,702 per year

Be the Spark! Join our passionate  team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The SWSE Bilingual Program Coordinator oversees the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange, a national exchange program offering youth the opportunity to improve their second official language skills while gaining meaningful employment experience. The role manages the recruitment, training, and support of Local and Support Coordinators to ensure participants, aged 16 to 17, receive engaging placements, homestays, and weekly program activities in their host communities.

The position develops and implements outreach strategies to achieve program targets, maintains relationships with employers and community stakeholders, and ensures compliance with program agreements and reporting requirements. Problem-solve challenges, resolve conflicts, and provide operational guidance to support the successful delivery of the exchange experience, while fostering an inclusive and culturally enriching environment for all participants.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement a regional promotion and communication plan to achieve provincial youth recruitment targets representative of the demographics of Canada.
• Hire, orient, train, support, and supervise an effective staff team of Local Coordinators who directly support participants in their host communities, and Support Coordinators who act as team leads.
• Provide service to participants, hosts/families, employers, and the general public in both official languages. Problem-solve issues, resolve conflicts as they arise, and keep the Manager informed.
• Follow financial systems and maintain financial reports in line with YMCA policies and procedures. Submit invoices, expense forms, and statistics to both the local and national offices in a timely and accurate manner.
• Comply with all terms of the government contribution agreement and contracts, including provincial targets, regional expenditure of funds, and financial and statistical reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You bring:

• Post secondary education in Youth Work, Education, Social Work or Services, Community Development, or related fields, or equivalent experience.
• Three years of experience in program delivery and team leadership/staff management.
• Experience working with budgets is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with facilitation, training, and/or experiential learning.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and cloud-based technology.
• Bilingual in French and English (oral and written).
• Excellent human resources management skills (such as hiring, performance support, etc.).
• Knowledge and ability to integrate anti-racism, anti-oppression, critical disability, LGBTQ2S-positive, trauma-informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based principles into practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and communication with staff, program participants, families, volunteers, community members, and employers.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive for work.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel for up to one week at a time, several times a year
• Excellent understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging including the ability to identify and address barriers, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and integrate equity into program design.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision & Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Please apply here by January 4, 2026.

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.