Indigenous Junior Community Mentor (Summer Position)

Position Title: Indigenous Junior Community Mentor

Employment Status: Temporary Full-Time

Position Status: This is not a Bargaining Unit position.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Job Posting Deadline for Internal Candidates: July 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Hours of Work/Schedule: Full-Time Contract (June 2026 to August 2026), 35 hours per week (may requires availability to work in the late afternoon and early evening and occasional weekend hours.)

Position Reports To: Manager Integrated care & Experience

Pay Range: $17.60/hr.

Primary Work Location: Oshawa (Flexibility to travel to/work at any DCHC locations/partner sites as required)

Organization Overview

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered, charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community-based primary care, wellness services, and health education to Durham community members who face multiple barriers to their health and well-being.

DCHC also provides equity-based programs and services that focus on priority populations such as Indigenous, Black, the 2SLGBTQI Community, Newcomers to Canada, Seniors, and Unattached patients (i.e., those without a family doctor), to name a few. DCHC ensures Durham community members receive not only sick care, but preventive care as well.

At DCHC, we are a team-based interprofessional group of staff including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and other administrative staff. We always place every client at the centre of our approach to care, based on their needs. We address these needs through integrated clinical and wellness care and health education.

It's an exciting time to be joining DCHC, while we are embarking on an energizing path with a focus on making our biggest impact yet on local health care by diversifying, expanding, and leveraging our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, Brand, Client Stories and Resources.

Position Overview

The program provides an opportunity for the community to hire a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis youth or young adult (ages 15–29) to gain valuable employment experience, receive training, and support the Indigenous Youth Outreach Worker in delivering and strengthening your community.

The Indigenous Junior Community Mentor position will be responsible for assisting the with the planning and implementation of a health and wellbeing program geared toward children and youth. They can expect to receive coaching and training support from the program’s partner Right To Play.

The Indigenous Junior Community Mentor will support the with planning and logistics needed to deliver the program session, activities and events for children and youth.

The position will be responsible for learning about the program and helping to deliver the scheduled activities to child and youth participants.

The Community Mentor will be responsible for completing a variety of administrative tasks in relation to RTP for grant reporting requirements and program commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide feedback and ideas to support in designing a monthly program schedule to fit participant needs and interests.
• Support in procuring and preparing the materials/equipment necessary for program sessions.
• Assist the with the registration process.
• Create healthy relationships with children and youth who participate in the program and adhere to child safeguarding policies and protocols.
• Engage children and youth in conversation to encourage them to share their ideas and give feedback about program activities.
• Help promote the program to children, youth, and families, informing all participants about upcoming activities and answering questions about the program.
• Assist the with the implementation of their weekly outcome and play-based programming for children and youth.
• Help to maintain a safe and tidy program space ensuring equipment is set up and stored properly.
• Report all accidents, incidents, and concerns to your immediate supervisor.
• Attend all mandatory trainings to learn about the RTP program and role.
• Attend two Right To Play virtual training sessions.
• Complete a learning plan and evaluation to outline employment interests, learning style and development goals.
• Support program design, planning, and preparation.
• Facilitate activities during programming (i.e., homework help, cooking, small group activities).
• During Modified Programming, plan weekly activities, post activities on Facebook or social media, assemble and deliver care packages.
• Attend and support the delivery of any special intergenerational events and/or youth events.
• Support the planning and implementation of events and initiatives.
• Assist with program supply shopping.
• Recruit children and youth to attend programming.
• Help ensure youth voice informs the design and delivery of the program.
• Support the recognition and celebration of participants, volunteers, and families for their contributions and involvement in the program.
• Assist the with recording and submitting daily attendance for child and youth participants.
• Assist with participant sharing circles and/or surveys to gather feedback on the program.
• Take pictures of program and/or event participants.
• Attend meetings as required and connect with Right To Play staff as required.
  
  

Benefits

Through the Indigenous Junior Community Mentor employment opportunity, the successful candidate will:

• Be offered authentic leadership opportunities to exercise their voice and share their needs and interests as part of the PLAY program.
• Receive a comprehensive onboarding that focuses on general employability skills and abilities specific to the Junior Community Mentor role.
• Build a youth network of support with other Junior Community Mentors participating in the employment program.
• Receive ongoing mentoring and coaching from their Community Mentor throughout the duration of the role to support their ongoing development.

Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Be between 15 and 29 years of age.
• Identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
• Be eligible to be paid minimum wage (or above) in the province where they work.
• Be new to the Junior Community Mentor (Jr. CM) Program.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• Willingness to be trained in effectively facilitating leadership and recreation programming for children and youth aged 6–18+ years.
• Interest or experience in sports, arts, recreation, and/or play-based programming.
• A positive attitude and a strengths-based approach to working with children and youth.
• Highly motivated self-starter and committed to program success.
• Good team work ethic, and capable of working independently.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position (Durham CHC will however adhere to its duty to accommodate those who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason related to a human right protected ground).

DCHC encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities served, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Application Process:

1) While we thank all applicants for their interest in applying, only those qualified and considered for an interview will be contacted. All applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months, for future consideration.

2) All applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

3) All positions are subject to the successful completion of the following pre-employment conditions for all external hires: Reference Checks; and Criminal Background checks (including Vulnerable Sector Screening).

4) Please be advised that AI Technology supports the screening process of applications. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity so that all employees have the opportunity to thrive. DCHC will comply with all applicable standards as set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, and any other applicable legislation. Accessibility: If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact our Talent and Culture team at 905-723-0036, or by email to recruiting@durhamchc.ca.