PlayON Team Leader

Locations: Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering. Please ensure you are stating the city you are applying to in the email body; and if interested in more than one location please send one resume & cover letter and list the locations in order of preference.

Be the Spark! Join our passionate team of PlayON 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 Team Leader will support instructors and volunteers, and participate in 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 also be responsible for maintaining and adhering to the monthly budget, meeting all administrative deadlines, maintaining and organizing paperwork, and hosting monthly staff meetings.

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership to PlayON Instructors in planning and implementing quality recreation based programs, consistent and in accordance with YMCA standards and funding requirements; acting as a role model for staff, while providing coaching and mentoring to the team.


• Develop and demonstrate an awareness and understanding of community and works collaboratively with Manager and PlayON and Youth Program Coordinator with meeting the Community needs.


• 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.


• Understand the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Children's Aid Society.


• Organize and complete monthly wrap up and other documentation in a punctual manner.


• Support families in registering for the program and ensures that all children are registered in the program; actively participate in scheduled programs, meetings and special events programming.


• Familiar with exceptionalities and behaviour management techniques.


• Monitors 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:

• Enrolled/Completion of post-secondary education in related fields such as Early Childhood Educator, Recreation and Leisure, Child and Youth, Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology, Kinesiology, etc.


• Previous experience supervising staff is preferred


• Previous (minimum one year) experience working with children and youth in a group setting; childcare or recreational sports setting is an asset


• Self-motivated and able to work well independently and in a team environment


• 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, monthly morning management meetings, staff meetings, and training sessions

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values


• 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.

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, 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.

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 and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.