Recreation Program Assistant Jobs in Pickering, ON

Baycrest Residential Properties

 has an exciting opportunity for a

PROGRAM ASSISTANT (MAVEN)

Terraces Memory Care Unit

Posting Number: 9665

Position Type: Permanent Part-time  

Shift Type: Day-Evening, every weekend (subject to change)

Bi-Weekly Hours: 30 Hours, 7.5 hrs/shift

Union: SEIU Service Part-Time

Hourly Pay Rate: $27.43 - $28.14

Date Posted: February 25, 2026

Internal Closing Date: March 6, 2026

About Us

At Baycrest, senior living reflects a commitment to supporting people as they age with purpose, fulfilment and dignity through communities such as Baycrest Terraces and Two Neptune Drive in Toronto, Ontario — offering retirement living, assisted living, memory care and independent apartments for active older adults.

Each residence reflects Baycrest’s deep experience in aging and commitment to purposeful living, offering access to wellness supports, lifelong learning and a strong sense of belonging. Guided by our heritage and continually evolving to meet the needs of today’s older adults, JHA is shaping the next generation of senior living — creating vibrant, connected places where people can live with purpose, fulfilment and dignity at every stage of aging.

Job Summary

Program Assistants "Mavens" will be the primary contact for residents in the new Memory Residence at Baycrest Terraces. Centering around the Possibilities by Baycrest™ model, Mavens are PSW staff that uses a transformational approach to support persons living in the Memory Residence. The ideal candidate will be well rounded with community, cultural, geriatric and clinical care experiences.

"Mavens" must be PSW certified but, due to the scope of the role, are classified as Program Assistants in the collective agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering the overall Possibilities experience to residents and their families by embodying the model of care and its philosophy and values into daily practice
• Initiates and maintains a relationship with the resident, their family and other care providers to enable trust, open communication and a care community
• Provides a daily care experience to residents, enabling choice and autonomy while supporting the physical and personal care needs of the residents including but not limited to hygiene, grooming and dressing, feeding, toileting, recording daily nutrition, hydration, provision of skin care
• Responsible for supporting the delivery of mealtime experiences including set up, food preparation, baking and feeding
• Supports the co-design of the resident/client and family’s individualized Possibilities Plan and operationalizes the plan on a day to day basis, making modifications as required
• Responsible for enabling each resident’s experience through supporting the execution of daily individual program plans, group social, recreational and activities in partnership with recreationists and the Possibilities Lead, Curator
• Manage responsive behaviours through exploring and applying non pharmacological interventions including activities and strategies in order to meaningfully engage residents
• Prepare daily programming space and activities day for individuals and groups based on their individual choices, interests and daily goals
• Work closely with the Curator to inform and plan client experiences, core programs, activities needs, supplies, flexible schedules, volunteer supports and 3rd party Artists in Residence

Qualifications

• Current P.S.W. certificate from a recognized community college or educational institute or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Completion of certificates in gerontology, activation or related course work is preferred
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or recognized equivalent is required
• Grade 12 English equivalency
• Certificate in U-First and/or Alzheimer Society for Dementia Care Training Program (DCTP) preferred
• Completion Mental Health First Aid preferred
• Certificate in Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) is preferred.
• Certificate in Montessori Activities for Dementia is preferred.
• Food Handling Certification preferred
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
• Experience working with individuals living with dementia in residential settings
• Experience working with individuals with responsive behaviours
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the interdisciplinary team, and effectively manage challenging situations
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and problem solving skills