Waitlist Support Staff

Casual/Term (0-15 hrs/week)

Hourly Range: $20-25 (based on experience and skill)

Term: End Date May 28, 2027 (possibility to extend if additional funding is secured).

Who Are We

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg has been providing life-changing mentoring programming for 55 years. We provide programs and services to roughly 650-700 youth per year. Through connection and support, we aim to provide youth in Winnipeg with a safe and healthy mentor to provide them the opportunity to explore their full potential while building a positive network of support.

The Role The Waitlist Support Staff plays a pivotal role in enhancing the mentoring experience for youth on the waitlist. This position reflects a strategic shift from group planning to individualized waitlist support, with the goal of deepening the understanding of mentees’ needs and strengths to facilitate more effective match recommendations and readiness, while also reinforcing child safety training and providing further orientation about what a mentoring relationship may be like. By joining our Waitlist Support Staff team, you’ll ensure more youth receive quality time at our Activity Centre, engage in meaningful activities, and begin learning healthy relationship skills, even before they're formally matched.

This is a pilot position that will be the basis of a new model of service delivery that will enhance the youth waitlist while youth wait for longer-term volunteer mentors. This position is designed for individuals with Mental Health, and social services backgrouns, who want to support unmatched youth on our waitlist. Ideally candidates might be BSW students in practicum or individuals who have worked frontline with youth 1:1 in social service settings.

You’ll use a playful, action-based approach rooted in social work practices to help young people build trust,



process challenges, and thrive.

Sessions will be low-ratio (1:1 or 1:2) and focused on emotional regulation, creativity, social connection, and snack-supported fun. You’ll collaborate closely with our whole staff to help determine the best mentor fit for each youth based on observations and interactions.

We embrace inclusion and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

Key Responsibilities

- Engage waitlist youth at the Activity Centre in weekly outings
- Facilitate one-on-one and small group activities (games, art, journaling, walks, ice cream etc.)
- Meet with 2-3 youth a week as scheduling allows; sessions will be outside of school hours (Evenings/Weekends)
- Use trauma-informed and anti-oppression approaches in interactions
- Observe and document strengths, needs, and emerging themes to inform future matches
- Provide healthy snacks and support physical/emotional safety
- Work closely with program team to share insights and maintain accurate records
- Build rapport with families and youth to understand their contexts, goals, motivations, and barriers

Mandatory Requirements

- Completion (or final year) of a diploma or degree in counselling, social work, psychology, or related field; focus in play therapy or therapeutic modalities would be a strength
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Criminal Record + Vulnerable Sector Check
- Child Abuse Registry Check
- Smartphone capable of supporting work applications




- Familiarity with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
- Driver's License and vehicle, as you will be transporting youth for outings

Essential Qualifications

- Experience engaging youth in para-therapeutic, relational conversations
- Ability to adapt to changing emotional and physical needs of participants
- Minimum 2 years in youth work, social work, or therapeutic support
- Comfortable facilitating activities in a playful yet goal-oriented manner
- Knowledge of mental health supports and behavioural interventions
- Passion for equity, inclusion, and youth development
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Certificate or training in play therapy, expressive arts, or trauma-informed care
- Experience working with underserved families and navigating systemic barriers
- High observational and documentation skills
- Robust interpersonal communication skills, a high level of attunement to youth required, warm demeanor

Schedule & Work Style Shifts are flexible and scheduled around youth and family availability, primarily evenings and weekends. All work occurs in person with youth, with the exception of an hour of admin added to each outing (includes booking outings, confirming, and documenting post-outing).

Application Details

- Deadline: November 6, 2026
- Start Date: ASAP
- To Apply: Send your resume and a cover letter expressing your interest to [email protected]. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience working with children in a 1:1 or group capacity, and any training or certificates you hold.
- Learn More: www.bigwinnipeg.com

Pay: $20.00-$25.00 per hour Expected hours: 1.0 – 15.0 per week

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Waitlist Support Staff (Winnipeg)
🏢 Big Brothers Big Sisters
📍 Winnipeg