THE WRIGHT SPOT IS HIRING!
Part-Time Special Needs Program Assistant (SNA)
Make a difference in your community by joining our before and after-school program team! As a HIGH FIVE® Accredited organization, The Wright Spot provides quality, inclusive and engaging recreational programs that support children and families in the Leslieville and Beach areas.
We are seeking energetic, reliable individuals who are passionate about working with children. RECE, OCT or CYW certification is an asset, but not a requirement. Candidates must have previous experience working with children with special needs and creating or leading recreational programs rooted in play and inquiry.
Job Type: Part-time
Hours/Days: between 20 to 30 hours per week, morning shifts are between 7:00am and 9:30am and afternoon shifts are between 2:30pm to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
Location: Bowmore Road Junior Public School - 80 Bowmore Rd, Toronto, ON M4L 3J2
Rate of Pay: $23.00 to $26.00 per hour depending on experience
About the Role:
Responsible for planning, organizing and delivering engaging recreational experiences that promote the healthy development of children in alignment with the HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development.
Assist in monitoring, intervention and support to meet the physical/personal care needs of exceptional children which may include; lifting, feeding, toileting and changing diapers.
Intervene and manage children with difficult behaviours through de-escalation techniques by providing a calm presence to ensure physical safety.
Assist in the development of behavioural and special needs plans; adhere to these plans and make updates as required.
Document incidents and relay details to families and caregivers in a warm, sensitive manner.
May be required to attend meetings with management to discuss incidents and review plans.
Plan, prepare and lead age-appropriate activities for school-age children based on observed interests.
Plan, prepare and serve healthy, nutritious after school snacks.
Play, interact and engage with children in ways that foster supportive relationships and positive child development.
Qualifications:
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Genuine interest in and experience working with children in community or recreational settings
A strong understanding of child development and knowledge of children with special needs
A warm, patient and supportive attitude when working with children
Ability to lift/carry items (weighing up to 20 kgs)
Certifications & Documentation
Post-secondary education or enrolment in one or more of the following is an asset: Early Childhood Education, Ontario College of Teachers, Child and Youth Care Worker.
Training or certification in Behaviour Management Systems, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Trauma-Informed Descalation or other training as it relates to exceptional children is an asset.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Standard First Aid/CPR-C Certification including infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation as recognized by WSIB (ongoing re-certification is required as a condition of continued employment).
Certification in Parks and Recreation Ontario's HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) prior to job start or be willing to complete training as soon as possible (within the first three months of employment).
Clear Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check.
Signed disclosure statement regarding any prior convictions.
Hiring Process
Candidates must participate in a short phone screening and an in-person interview to assess their experience working with children and their commitment to child well-being.
Selected candidates must complete a paid trial shift, during which their ability to engage positively with children and model HIGH FIVE® Principles will be evaluated.
Selected candidates must provide 3 references that speak to their attitude, experience with children and understanding of child development. References must provide evidence that the candidate has demonstrated the ability to provide quality leadership to children.
If you’re passionate about creating safe, engaging and inclusive environments where children grow and thrive and are committed to upholding the HIGH FIVE® Principles, we encourage you to apply!
How to Apply:
If you are interested in joining our team for the 2026/2027 school year, please send us your resume and a short paragraph about yourself and your experience.
We strive to build diverse teams that reflect the community and encourage applications from equity seeking individuals such as women, racialized individuals, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI and people with disabilities.
We look forward to hearing from you!
