Canada Summer Jobs - Recreation Programmer

Job Title: CanadaSummer Jobs, Recreation Programmer

Location: Abbotsford, BC

Reporting to: Manager, Recreation Therapy

Job status: Temporary Full-time/ Summer contract (37.5 hours per week)

Start/End Dates: May – August 2026

Compensation: $28.21 per hour

Please Note: This position is funded by the Government of Canada – Canada Summer Jobs program. There are three requirements for applicants:

1) Applicants must be between 19 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;

2) Applicants must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act*; and

3) have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

*International students are not eligible participants. As the objective of the CSJ program is to support youth entering the Canadian labour market, the temporary nature of an international student's time in Canada does not allow for long erm connection to the labour market. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

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WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO WORK HERE?

Canuck Place careers are full of connection, community, and care. We aim to nurture a supportive culture rooted in compassion, collaboration and support while providing expert care to children and families. Our team includes individuals with a special blend of sensitivity, compassion, and appreciation for life. Canuck Place is where no moment is missed. A place where you can make a difference.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Recreation Therapy Manager, the Recreation Programmer will assist in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of a variety of recreation therapy programs and practice standards, which reflect Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (CPCH) philosophy and objectives. The Recreation Programmer will support the recreation therapy and clinical department in liaising and collaborating with community-based services and resources to advocate for accessible and adaptive recreation and leisure activities and opportunities and provide in-house and community outreach services

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the Recreation Therapy Manager, plans, develops and implements, recreation therapy programs.
• Collaborates with Recreation Therapists to coordinate services for children and families.
• Assists to maintain clinical reports of children’s care activities, consistent with established standards and compiles database statistics.
• Ensures the safety of children and families by assessing and evaluating the risks associated with in-house and outside activities and taking steps to minimize risks.
• Works in collaboration with the Director, Volunteer & Support Services and care team members to coordinate volunteers for recreation activities both inside and outside of CPCH.
• Establishes positive working relationships and liaises with community agencies/organizations to provide recreational activities for children and families.
• Advocates for children and families regarding community recreational opportunities and accessibility for all abilities.
• Assumes other related responsibilities, as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

· Enrollment in bachelor’s program or diploma program related to Recreation Therapy.
· Related experience administering recreation therapy programs for children and/or people with disabilities; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience is an asset.
· Valid and current CPR certification is required.
· Experience working with children with life-threatening illnesses or in a palliative care setting is an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS
What you bring to the role:

• Knowledge of recreation program philosophies and principles.
• Knowledge of recreation therapy assessment and treatment techniques.
• Knowledge of normal growth and development for children with life-threatening illnesses.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with children, families, staff and representatives of community agencies.
• Ability to work effectively with children and families in sensitive situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent and effective interpersonal, verbal and written English communication skills.
• Solid reputation for promoting sensitivity to diversity and treating everyone with equity and respect.
• First Aid and CPR certificates are required.
• A driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset.

You have:

· High integrity; creativity; balance, good judgment and objectivity; high vision and conceptual capabilities; consultative, facilitate and collaborative; sense of humor.
· Excellent time management skills.
· Demonstrates flexibility that allows you to work with high energy, creative people.
· Able to thrive and effectively manage priorities in a changing, ambiguous environment.
· It is the expectation for all roles across the organization to know the organization’s philosophy of pediatric palliative care and uphold a commitment to further ones knowledge. Our philosophy of pediatric palliative care is as follows:
o Pediatric palliative care improves quality of life, promotes comfort and reduces suffering for children with life-threatening conditions (serious illness) and their families through a holistic approach addressing; physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. It is collaborative person & family-centred care delivered using a team-based approach throughout the continuum of care across all ages and stages of illness, including bereavement. It values choice and honest and compassionate communication.
· Contributes to the CPCH culture by understanding and supporting our Mission and Vision and actively modeling our Values.
· In accordance with the strategic directions of CPCH, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at CPCH. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
· Protects the health, wellness and safety of self and others by complying with applicable regulations and standards, safe work practices and procedures established by CPCH. Employees must report any health hazards and unsafe conditions to their supervisor for corrective action as soon as possible.
· Flexibility is necessary, as this position may require occasional weekend and evening work and travel within and outside the Lower Mainland.
· At the discretion of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, the information in this job description may be reviewed and revised, as required, to meet the needs of the organization

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

We understand that the recruitment process is not a one size fits all, our inclusion values and flexibility extend to your hiring experience. Canuck Place is committed to providing inclusive access and accommodations throughout the application and selection process. We are continuously working to improve our systems, policies, and practices to ensure our employees, in all their diversity, can succeed. Should you require accessibility accommodation through the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at recruitment@canuckplace.org and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equality and diversity within its community and to a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, visible minority group members, persons with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations, genders and gender identities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your cover letter and your resume at https://www.canuckplace.org/about-us/careers/ by April 24, 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest.