PlayON Instructor

Rate of Pay

$18.89/hr – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package [https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y#benefits]!

Location

Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering - Multiple Locations, see below

Work Hours

Must be available to work afternoon shifts - see below

Employment Type

Contract Part-Time Hourly - until June 18, 2027 (Existing Vacancy)

Number of Vacancies: 15

Anticipated Start Date: September 8, 2026

Deadline to Apply: August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Location

School

Time/Day

Oshawa

Dr. C.F. Cannon PS

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

2:30-6:00PM

Glen Street PS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

2:45-6:00PM

Village Union PS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

2:45-6:00PM

Woodcrest PS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

2:45-6:00PM

Mary Street Community School

Monday-Friday: 2:45-5:15PM

Hillsdale PS: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

2:45-6:00pm

Whitby

Colonel J.E. Farewell PS

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

3:00-6:00PM

Bellwood PS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

3:00-6:00PM

Dr. Robert Thornton PS

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

3:00-6:00PM

Ajax

Lester B. Pearson PS

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

3:00-6:00PM

Pickering

Bayview Heights PS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

2:30-6:00PM

Fairport Beach PS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

2:45-6:00PM

Be the Spark! Join our passionate team of instructors and help us to achieve great things in our community!

• PlayON is an after school recreation program serving youth 4-14 years old (Grades K-8) in high priority neighbourhoods.
• The objective of this program focuses on physical education, nutrition, and wellness programming for the participants.
• Programming is created and facilitated by the Team Leaders and Instructors.
• In nutrition, there is an emphasis on cooking and hands-on learning in the kitchen.
• Indoor and outdoor play is mandatory for physical education, and all games are modified for age and skill level.
• Wellness introduces concepts such as self-care, mental wellbeing, diversity, etc. in a play-based way to the participants.

The Instructor is responsible for the hands on creation and delivery of play-based programming ensuring a safe and inclusive playspace for the students while adhering strictly to all health and safety protocols. They will need to work well with the other instructors and support any volunteers. There is an element of administration to the role including meeting all administrative deadlines, maintaining and organizing paperwork and attending mandatory monthly staff meetings.

In this role, you will

• Take action to ensure fun, safe, and healthy experiences for all participants (Kindergarten - grade 8). Build rapport with students, staff, volunteers, and school personnel.
• Consistently create and deliver diverse and recreation-based programming in all three target areas (Physical Education, Nutrition and Wellness) in a manner in which the mission, values, goals and practices of the YMCA of Greater Toronto are being met, while building positive relationships.
• Ensure that the principles of Healthy Child Development and the Children’s Services standards are practiced in the delivery and planning of all children’s programs.
• Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Children's Aid Society
• Be Familiar with exceptionalities and behaviour management techniques.
• Monitor the safety of all participants throughout all activities and programs; indoors and outdoors.
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace and play area (e.g. preparing and cleaning up daily snacks, organized play materials and supplies, smooth set up and take down of playspace, etc.).
• Actively participate in scheduled shifts, staff meetings, and monthly training sessions.
• Other duties as assigned

You bring

• Previous experience working with children and youth and/or in a related program area is an asset; demonstrated interest in recreational sports an asset
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging
• Current Standard First Aid/CPR C required
• Flexibility regarding assigned work schedules, including weekday afternoons and monthly training sessions

What you need to succeed

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values [https://www.ymcagta.org/strategic-plan/greater-together-strategic-plan]
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA
• Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here [https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y].

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together [https://www.ymcagta.org/strategic-plan], which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here [https://ymcagta.org/Join-Our-Team/police-records-check].

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process [https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y#interview] and see what others are saying [https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/work-at-the-y#diversity] about working at the YMCA.