In-Hospital Program Specialist – Eastern Ontario

In-Hospital Program Specialist – Eastern Ontario

ABOUT US

Help Bring Back the Joy of Childhood

Since 1983, Campfire Circle has delivered healing through happiness to thousands of kids with cancer or serious illness and their families across Ontario. Our programs are offered in paediatric hospitals across Ontario, in local communities, and at our medically supported overnight camps, offering year-round experiences that provide life-changing moments of joy, connection, and resilience.

But we’re just getting started. Today, over 40,000 kids in Ontario face serious illness, many without access to the psychosocial support they urgently need. That’s why we have a bold vision: to grow from serving 3,000 campers a year to 10,000. We’re building a passionate, talented team to help make that vision a reality. When you join Campfire Circle, you become an integral part of a dynamic team helping to transform the lives of thousands of kids with serious illness, alongside our dedicated community of volunteers and donors.

Help us give back the joy of childhood to every kid with serious illness who needs it most.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Campfire Circle is currently seeking an In-Hospital Program Specialist – Eastern Ontario to help bring the joy of Campfire Circle to the hospital setting. Reporting to the Associate Manager, In-Hospital Program (Eastern Ontario), the In-Hospital Program Specialist is accountable for developing safe, fun and engaging camp-style programs that meet the needs of campers and families. This position works to provide an enriching year-round camp experience directly to children and families through hospital and community programs in Ontario. Campfire Circle provides hospital programming at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto and surrounding satellite hospitals, at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, and the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. This role will be positioned in Ottawa working at the CHEO location.

The key accountabilities of the role are:

Communication and Administration

• Complete all administrative tasks required in the planning and follow-up of programs;
• Document programs, photographs, camper stories and experiences to contribute to organizational program resources;
• Track and maintain accurate systems for gift-in-kind donations in collaboration with Development; and
• Support volunteer recruitment, interviews, and training.

Outreach

• Reach out to and develop meaningful relationships with campers and their families on behalf of the organization;
• Promote programs to patients and families in efforts to recruit and support every child eligible to participate in Campfire Circle programs;
• Support families with the registration process;
• Foster relationships with medical staff and promote Campfire Circle’s programs;
• Support medical staff engagement and appreciation events; and
• Occasionally assist with speaking engagements on behalf of Campfire Circle and attend related community outreach events.

Programming

In-Hospital Programming:

• Create and facilitate safe, fun, and engaging camp-style programs in a hospital setting that meet the needs of patients receiving care at the hospitals Campfire Circle serves;
• Facilitate group and individual play programs in waiting areas, play-rooms and bed-side;
• Support and collaborate with hospital staff and volunteers for successful program delivery;
• Support special events that occur at the hospital;
• Responsible for supply shopping and ordering for programs while adhering to budget;
• Develop and maintain positive and supportive working relationships with Medical Staff and Child Life; and
• Implement all hospital policies and procedures, including confidentiality, occupational health, all protocols pertaining to infection control and adhering to all programming and cleaning procedures.

Community Programming:

• Support planning and facilitation of Community Programs to meet the needs of campers and families;
• Support, coach, and lead volunteers in achieving safe, fun, and engaging programs that facilitate friendship and fun;
• Implement all Campfire Circle policies and procedures when programming; and
• Occasionally support Overnight Programs.

ABOUT YOU

Required Criteria:

• Proficient in English and French;
• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience;
• Minimum two years of experience as a staff or volunteer in a camp and/or hospital environment or working with children in a recreational setting;
• Experience facilitating group programs;
• Comfort working in a hospital setting with seriously ill children;
• Experience working with children with a variety of physical and developmental abilities;
• Proof of vaccination or immunity for Hepatitis B, Pertussis, mumps, measles, rubella, and varicella;
• Proof of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination;
• Clear police reference check and vulnerable sector screening; and
• Current G2 or G class driver’s license and the ability to be covered by camp’s insurance policy.

Advantageous Criteria:

• Experience teaching skill-based activities including but not limited to music, arts and crafts, drama and magic;
• Experience supporting challenging behaviours;
• Demonstrated ability to work with families and an understanding of how illness impacts the entire family;
• Access to a car for job-related duties;
• Proficiency in multiple languages;
• Overnight or day camp experience; and
• Experience working with volunteers.

To support our commitment to a safe, caring environment for children with serious illnesses and their families, all staff must attest to having received their childhood vaccinations along with confirmation of tuberculosis (TB) clearance, which may include screening, testing, and/or treatment as needed. Seasonal boosters against Influenza and the most recent circulating strain of COVID are strongly encouraged. All staff must provide an updated criminal record check or Vulnerable Sector Screening and be currently eligible to work in Canada and for Campfire Circle.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This role works primarily in a hospital setting requiring a flexible schedule including significant evenings and weekends. Occasional driving long distances with overnight stays will be required and working outside will be required depending on the program. This position involves working in emotionally challenging environments and working with families in crisis, support, resources and training are provided. In consideration of the population Campfire Circle serves, the incumbent is a non-smoker.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position is for an existing vacancy at Campfire Circle and offers a competitive hiring range of $47,000 - $50,000. Campfire Circle is invested in our staff’s health, wellness and career growth. As part of the total compensation package for this role, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, with premiums fully paid by the organization with the exception of Long Term Disability, including $4,000 annually for mental health practitioners, a wellness benefit up to $500 annually, an accelerated RRSP matching program up to 5% of base salary, paid vacation time plus a paid winter shutdown period up to eight days, flexible hybrid work arrangements, and on-going professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and salary expectations to careers@campfirecircle.org with the email subject reading 2026043 – In-Hospital Program Specialist – Eastern Ontario

Don’t meet every single requirement in this posting? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification or requirement we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate!

AI tools may be utilized at any stage of recruitment for this role. This posting will remain open until filled. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about Campfire Circle, please visit www.campfirecircle.org - No phone calls please.

ACCESSIBILITY & DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Campfire Circle is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People from North America and around the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and those who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. Our commitment is to provide equitable employment opportunities to all and to maintain a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. Applicants requiring accommodations to access our job postings and apply for roles with our organization are invited to reach out to our HR Team at careers@campfirecircle.org or in a manner that fits their accessibility needs, and can trust that their application will be considered equitably for our available roles. Contact information for our HR Team is located on our website at https://campfirecircle.org/work-at-campfire-circle/, and more information about our accessibility commitments can be found at https://campfirecircle.org/about-campfire-circle/accessibility-at-campfire-circle/.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Campfire Circle acknowledges that we operate on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

On this land, we are grateful to share the magic of camp with children and families, and we endeavour to create a community of joy, hope and healing. Acknowledging the land that we occupy is just one small step on the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.