Full Time Youth Ministries & Outreach Coordinator

The Youth Ministries & Outreach Coordinator will provide oversight to youth ministries programs and give focused attention to strengthen and grow the programs and attend to the spiritual growth and development of the youth.  In a cooperative team-based environment the incumbent will design and implement a holistic Gospel Centered and relational focused youth ministry including but not limited to Christian discipleship, leadership development, community outreach and community partnerships.

General

• Ensure that all duties are completed in accordance with the principles, standards, policies, and procedures of The Salvation Army.
• Contribute to the spiritual development of youth within the church and community by mentoring, discipling, encouraging, and modeling appropriate attitudes and behaviors.
• Cultivate a “spiritual and relational leadership style” with young people, their friends, and their families.
• Provide pastoral care and oversight for youth ministries – Jr. & Sr. High.
• Connect with young people that are not actively connected with any other church and those assisted by our community service ministries.
• Network with other youth leaders (SLC – South Lake Collective), community youth organizations and schools across the Central York Region, as well as the Divisional office personnel and camping ministries.
• Coordinate, promote, support, and participate in Divisional and Territorial youth events.

Youth Programming

• Organize and participate in the teaching ministry for Jr. High & Sr. High.
• Cultivate and create a culture of community and engagement with youth with the church, and community.
• Teach, provide, and engage in youth discipleship: contributing to the spiritual formation and direction towards the overall discipleship strategy for Northridge Community Church.
• Equip, mentor, coach, and counsel those engaged in youth ministry.
• Develop, organize, and mobilize a comprehensive outreach ministry for our communities, providing regular programs (e.g., organize and facilitate existing community basketball (SABL), drop-in center etc.)
• Utilize existing recreation/gymnasium facility to engage Northridge & community youth.
• In cooperation with our Registered Psychotherapists, determine best steps and practices to meet the mental health needs of youth.
• Follow up referrals from network of services within the Salvation Army and other agencies.
• Further develop / support and facilitate community programs (e.g., anti-bullying / anger management program for elementary school students).
• Coordinate and maintain (or when necessary, reimage) existing programing relevant to the youth of the church and community at large, including worship, fellowship, discipleship, and regular special events.

Volunteers

• Recruit, supervise, orientate, support and train volunteer leaders for youth programming in partnership with the Youth Leadership Team and Corps Officers.
• Develop strategies and recommendations for volunteer engagement and team development.
• Deal with volunteer complaints and incident reports.
• Prepare, post, and maintain all volunteer schedules for those supervised in accordance with operational requirements ensuring adequate coverage for all program functions.
• Ensure completion of police checks for volunteers, statement of applicant for work with children and youth forms, and online abuse prevention training.

Administration:

• In cooperation with the leadership team, prepare and plan appropriate steps required for execution of ministry.
• Maintain frequent contact of youth – by phone, email, social media etc.
• Prepare necessary communications for distribution.
• Prepare and distribute monthly / quarterly updates related to ministry development.
• Conduct debriefs and assessments on current ministries and adapt as required.
• Facilitate and organize outreach/sports programs (e.g., community basketball league, participants & coaches)
• Assist in the maintenance of volunteer files and statistical records as directed.
• Design and draft promotional material in consultation with the Business Coordinator that highlights various programs subject to supervisory approval.
• May participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the Youth Programs.

Communication:

• Communicate in an empathetic manner with congregants, families, and staff.
• Inform the Corps Officer regarding any concerns or issues in a timely manner.

Health and Safety

• Maintain program storage areas (e.g., updating, safety, organizing, etc.).
• Seek out continual education in food safety and health standards, including maintaining Safe Food Handling Certification.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all COVID-19 protocols and requirements.

Perform other duties as required.

• Minimum of two (2) years of prior related experience working with youth programming, youth leadership; supervisory experience coaching, leading, and motivating volunteers.
• Heart for the mission and passion for the souls of young people and a love for the Church and community.
• Fundamental Christian Counselling an asset and conflict resolution skills.
• Innovative – A proven ability to think “outside the box”, methods of outreach, discipleship training and other areas of ministry
• Capable of assessing and discerning youth needs and developing an appropriate response.
• Be a person of vision with the ability to cast vision and motivate.
• Solid grasp and application skills in social media applications (advertising, creating videos etc.)
• Proficiency with social media and Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher.
• An ability to communicate, motivate, train, and empower volunteers in the ministry of the Church.
• Ability to embrace growing technology needs – able to post to social media platforms and aptitude to develop online communications.
• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License; personal vehicle and insurance, and a current copy of a Driver’s abstract that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.
• Provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.  The screening is secured either through the national Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or through a local police detachment.
• Screening through The Salvation Army Abuse Registry.

Skills and Capabilities:

• “To CONNECT with students, BUILD relationships with God and others, DEVELOP students as leaders in their community and RELEASE them for their mission in the world.”

CONNECT = To forge a growing connectedness with young people on any level and in any area (church or community) with the aim of forging trust and connectedness with them.

BUILD = To build on the connectedness with young people forging trust bonds through strategic programming or relationship one on one and group mentoring situations.

DEVELOP = To leverage the built relationships with young people and leaders, helping them to develop in the discipleship journeys and their own leadership capacities and competencies.

RELEASE = To create opportunities for developing leaders (youth and leaders) to move towards deliberate practical expressions and opportunities of living out their ‘mission’ as disciples/leaders in their world (locally, nationally, and globally).

• Understand, support and be able to communicate and model the Mission, Values, Doctrines, and policies of The Salvation Army in Canada.
• Develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Ability to deal effectively and professionally with the public, other professionals.
• Self-directed with an ability to work cooperatively with leadership, staff, community partners and to create a working climate that is positive and mutually supportive.
• Confident, self-motivated, mission minded, able to work with other staff or independently.
• Willingness to be flexible, motivated, versatile, and able to thrive in a ministry environment.
• Understand ethical behaviour and business practices and ensure that own behaviour is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Creative, innovative and develop new and unique ways to impact the youth of the community.
• Set priorities, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information, and activities.
• Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Work independently; maintain confidentiality; projecting a positive, professional, and helpful attitude.
• Communicate effectively, and exercise good interpersonal skills by displaying tact, courtesy and patience with clients, staff, and community partners.
• Teachable spirit / provides and takes direction / a willingness to be coached.
• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics.

Ability to lift/move up to 40 lbs.   Travel is associated with this position {10%}. i.e., on occasion pick-up supplies, attend community meetings. Note: program vehicle may be available upon booking.

Permanent full-time employment with The Salvation Army (25+ hours per week) will provide you with a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes vacation time, sick days, employer matching RRSP contributions, Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, Christmas Grants and Employee and Family Assistance Program [EFAP] benefits.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process.  If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal applicants must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.