City of Kitchener Careers

Camp Leader/Children’s Program Leader (Summer Employment)

(Temporary Full Time/Part Time for approximately 3 months)

Competition Number

2024-538

Job Code

9274

Posting Date

December 17, 2024

Closing Date

March 1, 2025 (at 6:00pm)

Job Status

Temporary Full-Time

The City of Kitchener is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.

The City of Kitchener is WHERE you want to work! Learn more about the top reasons to join us:

Why work at the City of Kitchener

Position Overview:

Be part of the Kitchener camp team – where fun and friends meet! The City of Kitchener is looking for creative, energetic leaders interested in helping us offer day camps for children ages 4 to 13. 

Supported by experienced camp coordinators, you will lead and participate in camp activities that provide children with the opportunity to play inside and outside, to explore and discover new things, to develop friendships, and to learn and grow through play. 

Some camps have a variety of activities including sports, crafts, art, active and quiet games, songs, pool/water activities or environmental education and some camps have more focused programming (such as Sports Camp- focused on sports and active games; Arts Camp –focused on music, art and drama; Eco Camp- focused on outdoor environmental education or STEM camp – focused on activities related to science and technology). Some camps also include a swim everyday component for children. 

We are looking for leaders who: 

• Have experience working or volunteering with school-aged children in a group setting (e.g. camp, guides/scouts, school daycare, Sunday school, coaching) OR have demonstrated  leadership skills at school or work leading a team, a group or a project 
• Are ready for a leadership role in delivering quality programs for children.  

• Are enthusiastic about providing a fun summer experience to children
• Are energetic, engaging and not afraid to have fun and be silly  
• Are a responsible, punctual and have a strong work ethic  
• Have good relationship-building, communication and problem-solving skills and understand what it means to be part of a team and to follow through on commitments. 

• Are patient and calm under pressure when working with children 

Camp leader positions are available at over 20 locations across the city of Kitchener including:

• Community Centres
• Sports Facilities
• Schools
• Kiwanis Park
• Huron Natural Area

You will gain:

• Real experience leading activities and overseeing children in programs
• Leadership skills
• Program planning skills
• A deepened sense of connection to your community
• A fantastic summer experience
• A competitive wage

Anticipated Employment Dates: 

• Mandatory Training: evenings of June 11 or 12, all day June 14, 21 and 27.

Please Note: ALL training (in-person and online) is required and mandatory to complete prior to start of program/camp. 

• Camp: Range from July 2-August 30, 2025 depending on placement
• No work scheduled June 30 and statutory holidays (July 1 and August 4)

Hours per week: Starting July 2; Full-time: 32-35 hours; Part-time: 0-24 hours

Hours of work: From as early as 8:00am to as late as 5:30pm depending on the shift and location.

Additional Information:

• Work will include working in a variety of outdoor conditions and active play. 

Selection is based on a combination of application and interview.  

Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in creating a high-energy team ensuring to collaborate and communicate effectively with all team members
• Bring your energy and enthusiasm daily to deliver fun and creative camp activities
• Proudly represent the City of Kitchener by providing quality programming and customer service
• Role-model positive behavior for campers (teamwork, responsibility, initiative, and sportsmanship)
• Follow daily camp schedules, making minor program modifications to accommodate abilities/needs of participants
• Supervise campers at all times and ensure their inclusion and safety
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of program area and program equipment
• Support campers in their efforts to try new activities, develop new skills 
• Use good judgement and respond professionally to resolve problems and conflicts
• Interact with peers, supervisors, administration, campers and parents using positive, clear communication
• Ensure parents/guardians are informed of the participant’s daily activities and overall well-being  
• Assist with any camp emergency procedures, providing first aid as required
• Assist Inclusion Support Workers and personal support workers to accommodate children with a disability.
• Support senior staff to complete records and reports including attendance, accident/incident reports, safety checklist etc.
• Assist in providing direction to and monitoring activities of BYLD volunteers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Minimum level of education – partial completion of secondary school education (or the equivalent)
• Prior experience working or volunteering with school-aged children in a group setting (minimum of 1 month)
• Minimum age requirement – must be at least 15 years of age or older by the first day of employment, unless otherwise specified
• Valid CPR Level "C" and Standard First Aid Certificate 
• Provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check at your own expense as a condition of employment issued after March 1, 2025.
• Reliable transportation to work location.
• Completion of Principles in Healthy Child Development training considered an asset.
• Depending on the location and focus of the program, some applicants must have:
  • The ability to participate in pool programming in the water 
  • The ability to participate in an outdoor natural setting during all weather conditions 
  • Knowledge of or interest in arts, sport, environmental, cultural or STEM education
• Knowledge of or interest in active and quiet games, songs, activities, and crafts appropriate for children ages 4-13
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

The City of Kitchener is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups.

We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected], or 519-783-8081 to make your needs known, so that we can support your full and equal participation throughout the hiring process.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR-110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":

"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.

The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:

1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full-time and part-time classifications.

2. within the same Division in the case of students."

Department

Community Services

Division

Neighbourhood Programs and Services

Union Affiliation

Non-Union/Management

Number of Positions

185

Hours of Work

Up to 35 hours per week

Location

Initial Location

City Hall 

City

Kitchener

Compensation

Salary Range

$20.33 - $21.04 /hour

Grade/Band

2