IYMP is a communal, relationship-based, after-school healthy living program. It is delivered by Indigenous high school students for elementary school children. Co-developed with Indigenous youth, educators, and researchers, IYMP promotes well-being, resiliency, and overall positive mental health, including Mino-Bimaadiziwin/Mino-Pimatisiwin ("living in a good way"). It is grounded in teachings of Indigenous scholars Dr. Brokenleg (Circle of Courage - belonging, mastery, generosity, independence) and Dr. Kirkness (The Four R's: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocal Relationships, Responsibility). The core components of IYMP are healthy eating, physical activity and relationship building and mentorship.
IYMP typically runs once per week for 90 minutes, delivering healthy snacks and physical activity for at least 20 weeks throughout the school year. IYMP builds on the strengths, energy, and talents of youth and communities. IYMP has been rippling across Canada in partnership with Ever Active Schools and is currently offered in over 50 communities.
Ever Active Schools:
Ever Active Schools (EAS) is a registered national charity based in Alberta that is designed to assist schools in creating and sustaining healthy school communities. EAS contributes to the healthy development of children and youth by fostering social and physical environments that support the health and learning outcomes of students. We are an innovation-forward social impact organization passionate about well-being, and it shows in all we do! We're committed to creating environments that support health, learning, and growth because that's the type of place we want to live and work in. We value relationships - our work begins as collaborators, is built as partners, and continues in friendship. We show up for each other and our communities, act with empathy, and bring our authentic selves to work every day. We recognize, value, and celebrate diverse abilities, identities, cultures, and ways of knowing. We don't know all the answers but we're listening, learning, and growing. We're biased, but we think you'll like working here too.
Opportunity:
The
Program Coordinator
is an enthusiastic and organized person who helps facilitate partnerships and communication among Alberta IYMP sites, the national IYMP office in Alberta, and IYMP sites across Canada. The successful candidate will support the program with administration and implementation, community and school visits, build and maintain relationships and staff training. Reporting to the National Director, IYMP, this position will contribute to the collective work of the organization and IYMP.
This position reports to the National Director, IYMP and complements a team of other consultants with diverse skill sets operating within the larger interdisciplinary team of IYMP and EAS.
This position requires innovative leadership, strong interpersonal skills, experience working in a school setting, knowledge of physical literacy, and an understanding of wellness-related work (health promotion). The individual must be able to frequently travel throughout Alberta and be motivated to work in a fast-paced, exciting, and fun environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and facilitate sector collaboration and cross-sector coordination, between organizations representing health, education, post-secondary, sport and wellbeing
Explore how IYMP could flourish, considering agreements/MOUs with school boards, facilities, local grocers/food providers, programmers and other partners
Establish and maintain close working relationships with IYMP Program Coordinators, Indigenous and community organizations, program partners including school principals, teacher champions and band councils, and funding partners.
Create a positive workplace environment where staff thrive personally and culturally.
Independently and proactively track and report on deliverables to the Director.
Support in the planning, attendance, and supporting of provincial trainings and events and participate in planning national events (e.g. IYMP program leader training).
Prepare, track, and reconcile honoraria, travel costs, or appropriate remuneration for community partners.
Contribute to evaluation reports, publication, and presentations.
Support communities to complete monthly reporting
Collate monthly reports from communities, complete IYMP provincial and national report tracking monthly
Work with communities to complete and submit funding agreements
Collect content for website and social media during community visits
Collaborate within and across EAS team and provincially across sectors to promote school based wellness initiatives
Other duties as assigned
Required Competencies:
In-depth understanding of intersectionality, particularly regarding how gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, and geography shapes the experiences of Indigenous peoples is required.
Honours protocols, decision-making and goals of partner communities; shares power wherever possible and supports groups to develop and implement their own solutions while authentically representing the organization.
Skilled in negotiating and facilitating through cultural differences and conflicts, and adapting style in response to different intercultural communications and working styles.
Adept at teamwork with the ability and desire to work cooperatively on a team.
Has the ability to focus on the desired result of one's own or one's unit's work, setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals and meeting or exceeding them.
Effectively manages change by demonstrating support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization's effectiveness.
Expresses ideas clearly and concisely in speaking and in writing in ways that engage the audience and ensures retention of key messages.
Possesses the ability to gain support for ideas while remaining open to different perspectives and confident in the ability of others to be successful.
Has the ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside and outside the organization with whom to share information, assistance and support.
Gathers and shares research and information from credible sources and integrates it appropriately.
Exhibits thoroughness by ensuring one's own work and information are complete and accurate, prepares carefully for meetings and presentations and follows up to ensure commitments have been fulfilled
Remains positive and constructive when faced with challenges or adversity.
Exhibits personal credibility with demonstrated attention to responsibility, reliability and trustworthiness
Has an openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one's preferred way of doing things.
Identifies what needs to be done and takes action before being asked, or before the situation requires it, effectively managing both time and resources.
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor degree in Education, Health or a related field
Current Alberta teaching certificate an asset
An acceptable equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in a school, community or health promotion setting
Experience leading a project from start to finish is an asset
Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's license and access to a vehicle
Candidates must be willing and able to travel throughout Alberta, and sometimes flex work time to include evenings and weekends.
EAS is committed to equity in its policies, practices, and programs while supporting diversity in its community, school, and work environments; EAS encourages qualified applicants of all backgrounds and abilities to apply for this position.
To apply, please include your cover letter and resume in one document and email: employment@everactive.org. Please include the Job Title in the subject line.
Your application will be assessed based on how strongly your identified qualifications meet the criteria in the job advertisement. When applying, customize your application with your relevant skills and experience to address the job qualifications listed above.
Application Deadline:
August 15, 2025
DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION, THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED FOR INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES FIRST NATIONS, METIS AND INUIT. APPLICANTS MUST SELF-DECLARE ON THEIR COVER LETTER/RESUME AS INDIGENOUS (FIRST NATIONS, METIS AND/OR INUIT).
Please note that the interview will include a process to verify Indigenous kinship and citizenship in a respectful and sensitive manner.
Thank you for taking the time to apply. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview. Please note interviews will be held in Calgary, August 18 & 19, 2025.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Casual dress
Dental care
Employee assistance program
Extended health care
Life insurance
On-site parking
Paid time off
Vision care
Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:
Calgary, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
Please ensure you read the entire job description to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications.
Due to significant cultural requirements of the position, this position is designated for Indigenous candidates (First Nations, Metis, Inuit). Applicants must self-declare on their cover letter and resume as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit).
Experience:
health promotion: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person