Volunteer Engagement Assistant (Summer Intern Position)

Job Posting: Volunteer Engagement Assistant (Summer Intern Position) 

Type: Summer Intern Position (Canada Summer Jobs) 
Location: Ottawa  
Salary Range: $23.40 Hourly 
Posting Date: April 27, 2026 
Application Deadline: May 10, 2026 
Expected Start Date: June 1, 2026 
Duration: 12 weeks 
Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week) 

The Ottawa Food Bank 

The Ottawa Food Bank is a highly respected social service agency with a mission to collect and distribute food to its network of agency partners, who in turn serve individuals and families across the city. Founded in 1984 to fight community hunger, the Ottawa Food Bank works to ensure that everyone has access to healthy, dignified, and culturally appropriate food. We are currently seeking a Volunteer Engagement Assistant to join our Volunteer Engagement team through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2026 program.

PARTNERSHIP WITH CANADA SUMMER JOBS 

This position is funded through Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ), part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). CSJ provides youth aged 15 to 30 with paid, full-time work experiences that support skills development and a successful transition into the labour market. 

CSJ program objectives include: 

• Providing quality work experiences for youth 

• Improving access to employment for youth facing barriers 

• Supporting the development of transferable employability skills 

This role has been created specifically for CSJ funding and would not otherwise be fully resourced. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement, the Volunteer Engagement Assistant will support business-improvement initiatives related to volunteer programs, onboarding, and engagement practices. This role focuses on reviewing and updating policies and processes, improving volunteer experience, and supporting the delivery of a youth summer volunteer program. 

The position offers hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, policy development, research, and volunteer engagement best practices. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Youth Summer Volunteer Program Support 

• Review, analyze, and update the existing youth summer volunteer program 

• Research similar programs and recommend improvements 

• Assist with the development of a new youth application process 

• Support the review of applications and selection process 

• Assist in creating presentations and onboarding materials for selected youth 

• Collaborate with in-house staff experts to coordinate presentations and engagement sessions 

• Support youth during on-site volunteer shifts 

• Assist in developing a post-summer plan to support continued volunteer engagement for the youth cohort 

Volunteer Onboarding and Experience Improvement 

• Map the current volunteer onboarding process and assess opportunities for improvement 

• Research best practices for creating a clear and engaging volunteer experience 

• Explore volunteer websites and tools to identify superior functionality and make recommendations for improvement 

• Research and assess tools that support effective management and redirection of volunteer interest 

Administrative and Project Support 

• Assist with documentation, editing, and formatting of volunteer-related materials 

• Support coordination and scheduling activities for volunteer initiatives 

• Contribute to reporting and compliance-related tasks (including CCVI reporting support, where applicable) 
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential Qualifications 

• Strong writing, editing, and documentation skills 

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint) 

• Strong organizational and time-management skills 

• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities 

• Clear communication skills for engaging diverse audiences 

• Post-secondary education or current enrollment in Policy Studies, Nonprofit Management, Social Sciences, or a related field 

Assets 

• Volunteer or nonprofit sector experience 

• Experience working with youth and/or students 

• Research experience related to best practices or program design 

• Familiarity with nonprofit operations, volunteer engagement, or risk management principles 

Skills Development & Youth Empowerment 

Through this role, the Volunteer Engagement Assistant will develop transferable skills in: 

• Volunteer program planning and coordination 

• Policy and procedure review and development 

• Research and application of best practices 

• Stakeholder collaboration and internal coordination 

• Documentation, editing, and professional communication 

• Nonprofit operations and volunteer engagement strategy 

The role encourages learning, initiative, and professional growth, with ongoing guidance and mentorship. 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS 

Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required. French is not required; the ability to speak additional languages is an asset. 

HOW TO APPLY 

In your cover letter, please share what makes you an ideal fit for this position and why you want to join the Ottawa Food Bank. 

We believe in diverse perspectives and unique experiences, and we welcome applicants from different paths and backgrounds. If you're passionate about this position but don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to still apply. 

The Ottawa Food Bank is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities. 

In our commitment to accessibility, the Ottawa Food Bank provides accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please inform your recruiter, and we will ensure that your needs are met. 

The Ottawa Food Bank does not use Artificial Intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants. Your application is reviewed by a real human being. 

 Ready to apply? Submit your application by the deadline to join a collaborative and mission-driven organization making an impact in the community.