Position: Youth Program Coordinator

Contract: February 22, 2027 – September 3, 2027

Locations: Bridgewater (1) | Kentville (1) | Sydney (1) | Glace Bay (1) | Yarmouth (1) | Halifax (1) | Dartmouth (1) | Truro/New Glasgow (1)

The Program

The Career Rising Program is an exciting employment and skills development opportunity for youth ages 15–19 living in rural communities across Nova Scotia. Delivered through a partnership between the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council and the Department of Opportunities and Social Development. The program supports youth in building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to successfully enter the workforce.

The program begins with a three-day Career Rising Camp, designed as an introductory and preparatory experience for youth who will participate in the summer Career Rising Program. The camp provides youth with opportunities to explore career options, develop employability and workplace-readiness skills, participate in team-building activities, and become familiar with the expectations of the summer program. The Career Rising Camp also provides an opportunity for the Program Coordinator to begin building relationships with youth and identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.

Following the Career Rising Camp, the summer program includes two weeks of intensive skills development and workplace orientation, followed by a six-week paid work experience with local employers during July and August. Through training, mentorship, and meaningful workplace experience, Career Rising helps youth develop practical skills while building connections with employers and their communities.

The Program Coordinator Role

Joining the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council team, the Program Coordinator plays a vital role in coordinating and delivering Career Rising programming within their designated region. The Program Coordinator is responsible for building positive relationships with youth, families and support systems, employers, community partners, facilitators, vendors, and the local Department of Opportunities and Social Development office.

The Program Coordinator will coordinate and facilitate a three-day Career Rising Camp that introduces youth to Career Rising and prepares them for the summer program. This includes developing and coordinating the camp schedule, communicating with facilitators and community partners, arranging transportation and meals, coordinating venues and vendors, organizing team-building and experiential activities, preparing materials and supplies, and ensuring the camp runs safely and effectively.

The Program Coordinator will also recruit and maintain relationships with local employers to secure six-week work experience placements for participating youth. They will coordinate the two-week summer skills development and orientation period, including working with community facilitators, arranging workshops, certifications, transportation, meals, tours, site visits, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Once youth begin their work experience, the Program Coordinator’s role will shift toward ongoing mentorship, job coaching, and workplace support. The Coordinator will maintain regular communication with youth and employers, conduct scheduled placement-site visits and check-ins, collect payroll hours on a weekly basis, and respond to concerns or challenges that may arise throughout the work experience.

The Program Coordinator will provide regular updates to Program Management, document program activities and outcomes, and represent their region when collaborating with the local Department of Opportunities and Social Development office and other community partners.

General Duties

Pre-Program – Career Rising Camp

• Coordinate, facilitate, and supervise a three-day Career Rising Camp designed as an introduction and preparation for the summer Career Rising Program.
• Help develop and coordinate the camp schedule, ensuring activities support employability, career exploration, workplace readiness, confidence-building, and team development.
• Arrange and coordinate transportation, meals, venues, supplies, equipment, and other logistical requirements.
• Organize team building, hands-on, and experiential learning activities that engage youth and encourage participation.
• Communicate with registered youth and families’/support systems regarding camp schedules, expectations, transportation, meals, and other relevant information.
• Monitor youth participation and engagement and identify areas where additional support may be required.
• Complete required program documentation and provide updates to Program Management.

Summer Program Preparation

• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the two-week skills development and workplace orientation period.
• Help coordinate facilitators, vendors, community partners, transportation, meals, venues, tours, site visits, and other program logistics.
• Support the scheduling and delivery of workshops and certifications related to employability, workplace readiness, financial literacy, health and safety, communication, teamwork, and career development.
• Prepare program materials, supplies, participant information, and other resources required for successful program delivery.
• Maintain regular communication with youth, families’/support systems, facilitators, employers, vendors, and Program Management.
• Recruit potential work experience opportunities and develop relationships with local employers.
• Attend information sessions and youth meetings to promote the program and connect with registered youth.

During Work Experience

• Oversee and coordinate the Career Rising Program in the designated region by acting as a liaison between youth, employers, families’/support systems, and the local Department of Opportunities and Social Development office.
• Maintain regular communication with youth to provide mentorship, encouragement, job coaching, and support throughout their work experience.
• Maintain regular communication with employers through placement-site visits, telephone calls, and other scheduled check-ins.
• Collect and track payroll hours on a weekly basis.
• Support youth and employers in addressing workplace concerns and identifying solutions to day-to-day challenges.
• Document, report, and address successes, concerns, and emerging needs with youth, families’/support systems, employers, and Program Management.
• Monitor placement progress and support successful completion of the six-week work experience.
• Track monthly expenses and petty cash.
• Mandatory weekly staff meetings via Microsoft Teams.
• Perform other duties related to the program as assigned by Program Management.

Requirements

• Graduate of, or currently completing, a post-secondary program in a related field of study, such as Child and Youth Care, Community Studies, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated previous experience working with youth.
• Experience facilitating groups, workshops, activities, or youth programming.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities, schedules, vendors, and program requirements.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional and respectful approach when collaborating with youth, families’/support systems, employers, community partners, vendors, facilitators, and government representatives.
• Comfortable leading and facilitating a group of 15–20 youth.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s licence and reliable vehicle for employment-site visits and program-related travel.
• Current and clear Child Abuse Register Check and Criminal Record Check required prior to the start date.
• Experience with coordinating vendors, transportation, meals, events, or other program logistics is an asset.
• Experience with expense tracking, petty cash, and payroll is an asset.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is an asset.
• Must reside in the region for which you are applying.
• Must be available to attend Coordinator Training in Truro, Nova Scotia, February 22–26, 2027.

Salary and Conditions

• 37.5 hours per week.
• $22.44 per hour.
• Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for program activities.
• Mileage reimbursement provided for approved employer-site visits, program-related travel, and Coordinator Training.
• Full-time, fixed-term contract.
• Contract period: February 22, 2027 – September 3, 2027.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can submit a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications to:

Sarah Ward, Manager of Youth Programs
career.rising@novascotia.coop

Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Expected start date: February 22, 2027

Your interest is appreciated. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.