Chess Instructor - Aaniin Community Centre

Department and Commission: Recreation, Community Services
Vacancy Type: Temporary Part-Time
Posting Date: October 19, 2026
Application Deadline: November 15, 2026

About the City of Markham

The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award-winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve.

Join us and make a lasting difference!

Job Summary

Plans, organizes, instructs and leads chess lessons for participants from children through to adults. Ensures a positive and safe environment for participants and peers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates, leads and supervises the program.
• Organizes and writes lesson plans to be handed in by week two of the program. Develops lesson plans specific to the abilities of each group. Reviews lesson plans with the Recreation Supervisor/Program Coordinator prior to class and submits at the end of each session.
• Prepares and organizes program equipment and supplies, maintaining an inventory of supplies, reporting to the Program Coordinator/Recreation Supervisor any items needing replacement.
• Keeps attendance records and checks with participants who have extended absences. Gives all new participant names that are not on the list to the Program Coordinator/Recreation Supervisor.
• Checks and ensures all participant emergency and medical information is obtained through the completion of a personal data form on the participants’ first day.
• Ensures all program participants are aware of upcoming events, program changes or cancellations.
• Meets with parents (if needed) prior to, or after class time.
• Directly guides volunteers and PT Program Assistants as required.
• Advises Program Coordinator/Recreation Supervisor of any customer service issues, complaints or inquiries.
• Ensures safety at ALL times, enforcing safety regulations as set out by the City of Markham leisure programs policies and procedures.
• Ensures the site, equipment and supplies are appropriate to the activity and environment to reduce and minimize risk to other staff and participants.
• Children between the ages of 6 – 12 years must use the buddy system when going to the washroom. Escorts preschool children to the washroom or change room, ensuring that preschool children are never left in the sole attendance of a volunteer.
• Unlocks and locks-up the facility/program location as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma.
• Minimum ages of 16 years old at the start of employment.
• Minimum of 2 years of previous experience working with individuals or groups to teach the basics of chess to people of all ages.
• At least 3 years of prior experience developing chess skills and strategies.
• Knowledge of Basic Chess principles
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of Chess equipment and facilities.
• Current certifications in Standard First Aid OR Intermediate First Aid with CPR C and AED.
• High Five Certificate and adherence to the principles of Healthy Child Development (Children ages 6 to 12 years).
• Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills, leadership skills, customer service skills and sensitivity to interact with a diversity of patrons, parents and staff in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Must be able to work with kids and adults of different ages and abilities to teach the game of chess, as well as help the learners understand the various strategies used including chess notations, tactics and endgame. The goal is to create a level of enthusiasm for new players to continue their interest in chess.

Core Behaviours

• Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization.
• Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change.
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships.
• Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening.
• Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation.
• Management & Leadership: Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example.

Core Values

At the City of Markham, our work is guided by a shared set of core values that shape how we serve our community and support one another.

• Service Excellence: the consistent delivery of high-quality efficient and customer-centric service that exceeds expectations.
• Accountability: our obligation to be responsible and accountable for our actions, decisions and performance.
• People-Focused: putting people first.
• Trust: the confidence we place in each other to act with integrity and fairness.
• Innovation: Investing in each other and the way we deliver our programs and services.

We are looking for candidates who bring these values to life through their actions, decisions, and leadership approach.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) / Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) letter.

AI Disclosure

At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.

Please respect our scent free area by not wearing scented products when visiting the office.