Title: Youth Program Specialist
Salary: $60,000 – $70,000
Hours: 35 hours per week
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term Contract
Contract Period: June 2026 – June 2027, with possibility of renewal
Reports To: Executive Director
Posting Closes: June 12, 2026
About the Ottawa Youth Service Year Program
The Ottawa Youth Service Year (OYSY) is a paid, structured 8-month service year for recent high school graduates aged 17–19, launching in September 2026. OYSY connects young Ottawans with full-time placements at local nonprofits, equipping them with hands-on professional experience, new skills, and a guaranteed post-secondary education award upon successful completion.
Founded by the Honourable Dalton McGuinty and funded by The Rideau Hall Foundation, OYSY is designed to expand access to meaningful opportunities for youth across Ottawa — particularly those from underserved communities. Volunteer Ottawa serves as the backbone organization for this pilot, with 26 youth selected for the inaugural cohort.
About the Role
Volunteer Ottawa is seeking a dynamic, people-centred Youth Program Specialist to lead the day-to-day delivery of OYSY. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing the youth participant experience, coordinating with host nonprofit organizations, delivering training and coaching, and ensuring the program meets its quality and reporting standards.
The Youth Program Specialist will also provide direct guidance to the Program Coordinator and play a central role in making this pilot a success. If you are passionate about youth development, experienced in program coordination, and thrive in collaborative, community-driven environments, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Program Coordination & Delivery
- Lead the recruitment, screening, and selection process for OYSY participants in collaboration with partners
- Oversee the onboarding of youth participants and host nonprofit organizations
- Manage participant-to-placement matching, ensuring alignment with organizational needs and individual participant goals
- Monitor participant progress throughout the program through regular coaching and check-ins
- Coordinate and deliver training sessions and learning modules for the youth cohort
Stakeholder & Partner Relations
- Serve as the primary point of contact for host nonprofit organizations
- Build and maintain relationships with post-secondary partners, school board liaisons, and community stakeholders
- Facilitate clear, ongoing communication between youth participants, host organizations, and Volunteer Ottawa staff
Quality Assurance & Reporting
- Track and document program outcomes, participant milestones, and placement performance
- Prepare program reports for leadership and funders, including The Rideau Hall Foundation
- Proactively identify program challenges and recommend solutions
- Supervise and provide mentorship to the Program Coordinator
Qualifications
Required
- 2+ years of experience in program coordination, case management, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience working with youth, particularly those from equity-deserving communities
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Experience working in or with the nonprofit sector
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
Preferred
- Access to a vehicle (Mileage reimbursed)
- Bilingualism in English and French is a strong asset
- Familiarity with volunteer management software or similar platforms
- Experience coordinating service-learning, gap year, or workforce development programs
- Social media and marketing experience
- Knowledge of Ottawa's nonprofit and community services landscape
What We Offer
- A meaningful role contributing to a first-of-its-kind youth service program in Ottawa
- A collaborative, mission-driven team environment
- Hybrid work flexibility, with a primarily in-person and community-based presence required
- Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience, including health and dental benefits
- The opportunity to help shape the future of youth civic engagement in the capital
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in OYSY and relevant experience to [email protected] with the subject line: Youth Program Specialist – OYSY.
This posting is open for a two-week period, closing June 12, 2026. We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Volunteer Ottawa is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from members of equity-deserving groups. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.
Pay: $60,000.00-$70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Work from home
Language:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ottawa, ON K1K 3A7
