Climate Action Youth Worker

Location: Kilmarnock YMCA, 40 Soulis Street, Kilmarnock, KA3 1AP
With outreach work across East Ayrshire

Hours: Part-time – 20 hours per week

Contract: Fixed-term (5 January 2026 – 24 December 2027). This is a grant-funded post.

Kilmarnock YMCA is a community-based charity dedicated to empowering children, young people, adults, and families across East Ayrshire. We promote wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity through a wide range of programmes, including youth activities, health and wellbeing initiatives, our ESports Hub, and our Climate Action project.

The Climate Action Youth Worker will work closely with a YMCA Board Subgroup to develop and deliver our Climate Action project in schools and communities across East Ayrshire. You will inspire young people aged 5–18, alongside community participants of all ages, to engage meaningfully with climate action — supporting confidence, skills development, resilience, and positive relationships in line with YMCA values.

This role forms part of a Scotland-wide programme, delivered in partnership with seven other YMCA organisations and funded by the National Lottery Communities Fund.

• Contribute to session planning, risk assessments, and attendance recording
• Support project development based on young people’s needs and interests, including ASN provision
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate youth sessions (including evenings, weekends, and holiday programmes)
• Facilitate interactive climate action workshops in local schools
• Deliver activities promoting wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, and personal development
• Coordinate with community partners for events and outreach activity
• Track project progress and report outcomes to the Board Subgroup
• Support monitoring and evaluation requirements for YMCA Scotland, project funders, and the National Evaluation Team

• Provide guidance and encouragement in line with the 6SQuID Model (training provided)
• Promote positive behaviour, inclusion, and respect
• Build trusting, positive relationships with young people
• Support young people to achieve a Hi5 Award

• Ensure all activities follow YMCA safeguarding policies
• Adhere to Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) requirements
• Maintain safe, inclusive environments for all participants

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, partner organisations, and other YMCA partners
• Attend team meetings and training as required
• Represent Kilmarnock YMCA positively within the local community

• Champion YMCA values of empowerment, inclusion, respect, and integrity
• Foster a supportive and positive environment for staff and volunteers
• Act as an ambassador for Kilmarnock YMCA within East Ayrshire

• A supportive and welcoming team environment
• Training and professional development opportunities
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives
• Flexibility around working hours
• Opportunities to help shape innovative programmes, including our Climate Action and ESports initiatives

• Qualification in youth work, social care, community development, or a related field
• Experience working with young people in a paid or voluntary capacity
• Strong communication skills and ability to build rapport with diverse groups
• Understanding of youth development, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice
• Willingness to complete trauma-informed training
• Ability to plan and deliver engaging group activities
• Strong teamwork, flexibility, and problem‑solving skills
• PVG membership (or willingness to obtain)
• Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends
• First Aid or Mental Health First Aid training
• Experience working with vulnerable or at-risk young people

• Working hours may include evenings and weekends depending on project needs
• Hours will be allocated in line with Climate Action project requirements
• Occasional travel across East Ayrshire may be required
• This post is subject to PVG checks and satisfactory references