About the position
Hiring process
Work conditions
About the position
1. What do project leaders do?
Project leaders live in a Canadian community where Katimavik has set up a project. They live with a group of young volunteers between the ages of 17 and 21. Their responsibilities include group dynamics, participants’ learning activities, community relations and some administrative tasks.
2. What skills will I gain from being a project leader?
You will learn or develop new skills in group dynamics, facilitation, conflict resolution, problem solving, planning and organization, budgeting and financial reports, official languages and community relations.
3. What do former project leaders say about the job?
Project leaders usually say that it is the best and most challenging job they have ever had, that they have learned much and that the experience changed their lives.
4. Does the project leader stay with the same group for the entire project?
The project leader stays in the same community for the duration of the project. Each group of participants goes to three communities, so the project leader will live with three different groups during the course of the project.
5. When do participants arrive?
Participants arrive one month after training. This gives the project leader time to set up the house, which is usually chosen by the time Katimavik arrives in the community. At that time, the project leader meets with local Katimavik committee (LKC) members and other resource people in the community.
6. What do the participants do besides working as volunteers?
In the evenings and on weekends, the participants will be busy with the learning components of the program: leadership, official languages, environment, cultural discovery and healthy lifestyle. Some activities are chosen by the regional office for the project, such as setting up a recycling program in the house. Other activities are chosen by the group, taking into consideration their interests and abilities, the project leader's interests and abilities, the opportunities specific to the community and surrounding areas, the budget and other factors.
Hiring process
1. What is the hiring process?
You must submit a current résumé and cover letter by fax, mail or email. In your cover letter, please indicate in which region you would like to work. Even if there is more than one province or territory where you would like to work, you must send your résumé to the regional office nearest you. The person in charge of hiring will make sure your résumé is sent to the applicable office(s).
Most of the time we organize group interview days, where several applicants and staff come together for information sharing and activities. After the group interview day, we will hold individual interviews, check references and then offer positions. If you are hired, you must provide us with a criminal record check and the completed Katimavik medical form. Fees for the exam are reimbursable up to $100. In most provinces and territories, you will need to obtain a special driver’s licence in order to drive the van that transports participants. There is also a three-month probation period.
2. Am I provided with any training? If so, am I paid for the training? When will it be held?
Yes, training is provided at the beginning of the contract and lasts about 10 days. You are paid your regular salary during the training. Training also continues at the project level, with your project coordinator and the other project leaders in your cluster. There is professional development money for each staff person to use for individual needs.
3. How are project leaders matched with a community?
The process of matching project leaders with communities combines the skills and interests of the project leader and the needs and opportunities of the community. For example, if we have a project located near a national park and we have a project leader with lots of outdoor experience, that might be a good match.
Work conditions
1. Is the position of Project Leader permanent?
It is a contract lasting approximately ten months. You can apply for an additional contract, although it is important to have a significant break in between the two contracts. You can apply in the same region or in other regions. You can also apply for other positions in Katimavik that become available in the regional or head offices, such as Project Coordinator, Recruitment Officer, etc.
2. What are the salary and benefits?
First-year project leaders are paid $513.67 per week. Accommodation and food are covered as part of the project expenses, as well as any activities you do with the group. After you have successfully completed the three-month probation period, you are eligible for our life, disability and extended health insurance plan and the employee assistance program (counselling service).
3. Do I have to sleep in the Katimavik house? Will I have my own room?
This is a live-in position: the project leader must sleep at the Katimavik house. Every effort is made to ensure that project leaders have their own rooms; however, it sometimes doubles as the project leader’s office if the house is too small to accommodate a separate workspace.
4. What time off do I get?
The project leader has one 24-hour period off every week. The project leader has a 48-hour period off once a month. Days off are taken on weekdays, with occasional exceptions made for specific events, such as a family wedding. In each rotation (10-week period) the participants spend 14 days billeting with local families. During the billeting period, you receive an additional 96 hours off. You will get statutory holidays off, but not necessarily on that day. At the end of your contract, you will receive a cheque for your accumulated holiday pay (6%).
5. What support do I have in the position?
A project coordinator supervises you and the other two project leaders in your cluster. Your project coordinator will be in regular contact with you by phone and email, and will visit your project house twice per rotation. There are also staff at the regional and head offices that can help you with specific requests.
To facilitate the reading of the present document, the masculine form is used as gender neutral and designates both men and women.
