Job Title: Child and Youth Program Assistant 

Location: North Vancouver, BC

Type of Position: Temporary (9 weeks), Full-Time; partially funded by Canada Summer Jobs Program

Wage Rate: $22/hour gross, for 35 hours per week

Hours: Monday to Friday, shift hours between 9am and 6:30pm – flexible hours required depending on scheduled programming

Start Date: June 22, 2026  

End Date: August 21, 2026

About Capilano Community Services Society

Capilano Community Services Society (CCSS) is a registered charitable not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive, and healthy communities where individuals and families can thrive. Serving North Shore residents, CCSS delivers engaging, low- and no-cost programs and support services for families, youth, and seniors that enhance social connectedness, well-being, resiliency, and community belonging. Through inclusive, relationship-focused, and community-based programming, CCSS supports the healthy development of participants of all ages.

Family and Children’s Program

The Family and Children’s Program supports families with children from birth to five years, offering opportunities to play, learn, and connect in a welcoming and culturally safe environment. Programs are delivered Monday to Friday and include drop-in playgroups, social–recreational activities, and parent education workshops that promote early learning, positive parenting, and community connection. The program aims to strengthen family wellbeing and resiliency, particularly for those facing conditions of risk or vulnerability. (Please note: CCSS does not provide childcare or daycare services.) Families who join our summer programs benefit from having their children build essential skills that prepare them for successful preschool and kindergarten entry, in September.

Youth Program

The CCSS Youth Program offers summer outreach programming for potentially at-risk youth in three age groups: Middle Years (Grades 6–7), high school students (Grades 8–12), and older youth (ages 18–24). Activities such as music, arts, cooking, sports, and local out-trips provide fun and engaging ways for youth to build social and emotional skills, develop leadership and life skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging within the community.

Overview of Job Description

As a Child and Youth Program Assistant, you will play a key frontline role in supporting and delivering engaging programs for children, youth, and families within the community. Working collaboratively with Program Supervisors, staff, and volunteers, you will assist in facilitating inclusive, high-quality activities that promote social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. You will help maintain a safe, caring, and stimulating environment while fostering positive relationships with participants and their families. Your time will be split between providing support for both our Youth Department, and our Family and Children’s Department.

This role reports to the Family and Children’s Program Supervisor, and the Youth Program Supervisor.

Responsibilities

•       Assist Program Supervisors and Youth Outreach Workers in planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing engaging activities, special events, and out-trips for children, youth, and families.

•       Support the delivery of diverse activities such as games, sports, arts and crafts, cooking, music, life skills, and leadership-building experiences that foster social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

•       Create and maintain a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and respectful environment that encourages participation, learning, and positive social interactions.

•       Model positive behaviour and healthy adult–child and peer interactions that promote cooperation, respect, and personal growth.

•       Provide leadership, guidance, facilitation, and supervision for youth aged 10-24.

•       Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism when supporting participants and families with diverse backgrounds and needs, including those experiencing vulnerability, disability, trauma, or cultural transitions.

•       Promote inclusion and belonging for all participants, including LGBTQ2S+, newcomer, and Indigenous children and youth.

•       Engage families and caregivers by fostering supportive relationships, sharing information, and encouraging parent–child interaction and skill-building.

•       Maintain health and safety standards, supervise sign-in procedures, and communicate key participant information (e.g., allergies, special needs) to staff.

•       Liaise with families, community partners, and other service providers to coordinate programs, share information, and connect participants with community resources.

•       Participate in program evaluation by completing reports, statistics, and other program documentation as required.

•       Contribute to maintaining appropriate program supplies, equipment, and materials.

•       Collaborate with team members and Program Supervisors to ensure high-quality program delivery and continuous improvement.

•       Perform other related duties to support the effective operation of children, youth, and family programs.

Qualifications

•       Minimum of 1 year of work and/or volunteer experience in child, youth, and/or family programming; a relevant combination of education and experience will also be considered.

•       Strong experience working with diverse cultural groups, including Indigenous families and children, and sensitivity to participants experiencing vulnerability.

•       Current Emergency First Aid and CPR certification.

•       FoodSafe Level 1 certification is an asset.

•       Excellent computer literacy, including MS Office applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and basic design (e.g., posters).

•       Proficiency in creating, curating, and using engagement strategies for social media platforms.

•       Ability to speak a second language is an asset.

•       Currently pursuing or completed coursework in related fields is an asset, such as: Early Childhood Education (ECE), ECE Assistant, Responsible Adult, or related fields; additional studies in psychology, social work, recreational therapy and social and/or recreation programming.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•       Energetic, passionate, and professional in working with children, youth, and families.

•       Strong leadership skills and understanding of group dynamics for children and youth, with the ability to lead small and large group activities.

•       Demonstrated ability to recognize, respond to, and appropriately manage behavioral, social, and developmental needs.

•       Creativity in program planning and the ability to adapt activities to meet the needs of participants.

•       Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment and manage program logistics, including set-up and clean-up (with lifting up to 20 lbs).

•       Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; tactful, professional, and able to engage effectively with children, youth, families, other staff, and volunteers.

•       Ability to demonstrate initiative, make informed decisions, and exercise good judgment and sensitivity when working with vulnerable populations.

•       Awareness and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, including cultural, social, and economic differences, gender and sexual identity, learning abilities, and migration status.

•       Problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Applicant Criteria

Canada Summer Jobs Eligibility Criteria

As funding is provided for this role through the Canadian federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program, the government requires that to be eligible, job applicants must:

•       be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period

•       be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and

•       have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

•       Note: International students are not eligible participants. As the objective of the CSJ program is to support youth entering the Canadian labour market, the temporary nature of an international student's time in Canada does not allow for a long-term connection to the labour market.

•       International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

•       Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa are ineligible.

CCSS - Additional Criteria

•       A successful criminal record and vulnerable sector check will be required prior to the start of employment.

•       Valid unrestricted (no “N”) class 5 driver’s license.

•       Regular access and use of own vehicle is required for this job (mileage expenses reimbursed)