Pacific Mountain Regional Council is seeking an individual to fill the role of First Third Ministry Animator for Indigenous, Racialized, and Diaspora Communities for a three-year term at 50% time, 17.5 hours per week.

Pacific Mountain Regional Council (PMRC), as part of the wider United Church of Canada, is a decision-making body responsible to serve and support Communities of Faith within its bounds and provide necessary oversight. PMRC is home to vibrant Indigenous and diaspora communities of faith—communities formed by people with rich spiritual, cultural, and lived experience, including those who maintain strong ties to their heritage while living faithfully within the Christian tradition. Despite this richness, ministry with Indigenous, racialized, and diaspora communities—particularly among people in the first third of life (birth through approximately age 30)—is often fragmented or under-supported. 

Position Purpose:

This position focuses on strengthening engagement, belonging, and leadership pathways for Indigenous, racialized, and diaspora children, youth, and young adults within PMRC. Rooted in trauma‑informed, culturally respectful, and intercultural practices, the role seeks to listen deeply to communities, honour cultural protocols, and support ministry shaped by the voices, wisdom, and leadership of those most impacted.

As a member of the First Third Ministry team, the Animator works collaboratively with other Animators, regional staff, communities of faith, and ministry partners to strengthen participation and belonging within the wider life of First Third Ministry.

Primary Areas of Responsibility 

Relationship Building (50%)

• Build and sustain respectful, trust-based relationships with Indigenous and intercultural Elders, knowledge keepers, ministry leaders, and community partners.
• Listen to Elders and community leaders to understand the hopes, needs, gifts, and priorities of their children, youth, and young adults.
• Work collaboratively with Elders and leaders to create culturally safe, spiritually meaningful, and accessible opportunities for young people to connect, belong, and participate.
• Honour cultural protocols, community knowledge, and appropriate practices for inviting, involving, and compensating Elders and leaders.
• Strengthen connections among young people, families, communities of faith, and regional networks to support ongoing relationships and shared ministry.

Leadership Development of Young People (40%)

• Support Elders and leaders in identifying, mentoring, and encouraging emerging young leaders within their communities.
• Create opportunities for emerging young leaders to contribute their skills, gifts, and perspectives to events and ministries, including camps.
• Support ministries within The United Church of Canada in preparing to connect meaningfully with Indigenous and racialized young people, understand and address the needs, barriers, and complexities they may experience in predominantly white workplaces and ministry settings, and create culturally safe environments where they can learn, grow, belong, and offer their gifts.
• Collaborate with communities, emerging young leaders, and the First Third Ministry team to plan, facilitate, and evaluate culturally responsive gatherings, retreats, camps, worship, and other ministry opportunities that reflect community-identified priorities.

Reporting & Communication (10%)

• 0Maintain regular communication with communities of faith, ministry leadership and supervisory staff,
• Coordinate assigned ministry activities in accordance with First Third Ministry planning, budgeting, safeguarding, screening, privacy, and reporting procedures
• Present findings and progress reports to PMRC leadership and First Third networks.
• Document outcomes and learnings for future ministry planning.
• Share stories, ideas, reflections through First Third communication channels including social media, e-newsletters and the website.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in theology, ministry, education, youth work, social sciences, community development, Indigenous studies, intercultural studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and lived experience.
• Training in trauma-informed practice, anti-racism, reconciliation, cultural safety, or youth leadership development is an asset.
• 2–3 years of related experience in youth ministry, community development, education, intercultural ministry, or community-based engagement.
• Demonstrated experience building respectful relationships with Indigenous, racialized, and diaspora communities, including Elders, knowledge keepers, leaders, families, and young people.
• Experience supporting children, youth, and young adults through mentoring, leadership development, gatherings, camps, programs, or events.
• Experience facilitating listening, community visioning, participatory research, or group conversations in culturally respectful ways.
• Strong relationship-building, active listening, facilitation, and intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to work in culturally respectful and trauma-informed ways, honour cultural protocols, and recognize the distinct identities, histories, and priorities of Indigenous, racialized, and diaspora communities.
• Ability to support ministries in creating culturally safe and welcoming environments where young people can belong, learn, grow, and offer their gifts.
• Strong organizational, project-planning, verbal and written communication, and time-management skills, with discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across communities, ministry teams, and regional networks.
• Competence with Office 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Zoom, Mailchimp, social media, and online platforms, with a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Alignment with the vision and values of The United Church of Canada—respect, integrity, passion, and diversity.
• Commitment to anti-racism, reconciliation, equity, and the leadership and well-being of Indigenous, racialized, and diaspora young people.
• Cultural humility, openness to learning, and respect for community wisdom, lived experience, and diverse spiritual and cultural practices.
• Ability to relate to others in a friendly, open, patient, and non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate personal and professional boundaries at all times.
• Curious, reflective, adaptable, and generous with grace, calm, non-anxious presence, including when navigating complex or sensitive conversations.
• A personal spiritual life and openness to faith conversations with children, youth, young adults, families, Elders, and leaders.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code, The United Church of Canada will provide reasonable accommodations to employees with human-rights related needs.

Working Conditions

This position functions from the regional office in Burnaby, BC.  It may be possible to work from home for some of the office hours but this will need to be negotiated.  There will be times in the year when this position will be more hours and other times of the year when it will less hours.

Attendance at evening and weekend meetings, with due notice, will be required. Most years there will be a minimum of four weekend overnight events, including children, youth and young adult retreats. In addition, most years overnight attendance at a four-day General Meeting is required. This position is required at the yearly First Third Animator Team planning meeting which usually happens for 3-4 days in late fall or early January and the All Staff Retreat for Pacific Mountain Regional Council (usually early December).  Advance notice will be given.  Flexibility is required. 

They interact with lay staff, ministers, volunteers, and executive officers. Manual dexterity requires the use laptop computers and peripherals. Intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing, and lifting. Occasional overtime may be required.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $28,740 to $32,755. This is based on category 5 pro-rated at 50% time on our salary range. Placement on the salary range will be based on factors such as internal equity, candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role.

The United Church of Canada is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants, including those with disabilities. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise us of your accommodation needs at that time.

Closing Date for Applications:  November 10, 2026

JOB CODE: 70