Contract Term: 1-Year
Position Type: Part-Time
Location: Toronto, ON
Reports To: Program Director
Collaborates Closely With: Program Team
Position Overview
The Employment & Education Partnerships Coordinator plays a central role in supporting StepStones youth to access meaningful, part-time employment and education opportunities that accommodate their school schedules and personal growth goals. This role emphasizes building strategic partnerships with employers, training programs, and post-secondary institutions that are committed to offering opportunities to StepStones youth.
The Coordinator complements the Connections Coordinators’ work by advancing placement opportunities and preparing youth for success in the workforce and in learning environments. Youth support should be guided by the individualized education and employment plans developed by Connections Coordinators.
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Development & Employer Engagement
- Identify, build, and maintain partnerships with employers, training institutions, and corporate stakeholders
- Promote the StepStones model and the mutual benefits of hiring or mentoring StepStones youth
- Develop flexible, part-time employment opportunities aligned with youth education plans
- Coordinate customized placements and workplace readiness in collaboration with Connections Coordinators and Supervisors
- Develop workplace partnerships that reflect equity, mentorship, and long-term success
- Work with employers after hire to ensure the success of the new hire. Check in on a monthly basis to review progress
- Maintain a roster of a minimum of 10 employers who are ready and able to hire new youth.
- Maintain a roster of a minimum of 10 employers who have currently hired youth and support this roster on an ongoing and regular basis.
- Ensure employers maintain the part time agreement and do not encourage youth to drop out or reduce school involvement. Most employers will not be permitted to hire for more than 15 hours in the case that a youth has not completed post-education unless it is in the summer months
Youth-Focused Employment & Education Support
- Prepare youth for employment through one to one:
- Resume building and job search
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Workplace expectations, communication coaching, and first-day readiness
- Assist with job applications, training program enrollment, or alternative education pathways
- Celebrate progress and help youth navigate any setbacks along the way
- Tailor supports using the Connections Coordinators’ education plans as a foundation
- Place a minimum of 45 youth in job placements per year who maintain these job placements for a minimum of 5 months each
- Utilize the education plan for each youth
Ongoing Support & Monitoring
- Conduct regular check-ins with youth and employer partners
- Coordinate access to supports such as clothing, TTC fares, equipment, or additional coaching
- Troubleshoot issues or advocate for accommodations as needed
- Track outcomes, provide progress updates, and contribute to program evaluation
How This Role Supports the Team
This position works in collaboration with the Connections Coordinators by:
- Offering employment and education-specific coaching that complements community connection and life skills support
- Leads external partnership building
to secure real opportunities for youth so Coordinators can focus on wraparound and life skills support - Aligning placements with youth goals and schedules already identified in program planning
- Contributing to shared outcomes around engagement, retention, and long-term success
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in employment services, workforce development, education access, or youth programming
- Minimum 3 years experience building corporate or community partnerships—especially with employers or post-secondary institutions
- Demonstrated success in youth engagement and strengths-based practice especially when working with hard to service youth
- Understanding of trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and youth-centered approaches
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Deep understanding of systemic barriers faced by youth in care or experiencing homelessness
Assets:
- Experience in employer outreach, DEI-informed hiring, or HR
- Familiarity with Toronto and surrounding area’s workforce and education sectors
- Lived experience or experience working with individuals in systems of care, foster care, homelessness, or related barriers
- Experience with cold outreach, corporate giving, HR,
- Experience with formal partnership
- Experience with barrier reduction strategies (e.g., transportation, housing, criminal record navigation)
Equal opportunity
StepStones values the unique skills and experiences each individual has to offer and we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation to participate fully in our recruitment processes, please let us know when we contact you.
StepStones is an equal opportunity employer seeking to live its values in all we do. We are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized persons, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to consider working with and for StepStones. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications, and therefore we seek to use employment equity to evaluate candidates who meet the required qualifications.
