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Common Jobs In Nonprofits
Nearly 1.2 million Canadians perform paid work for close to 69,000 nonprofit organizations located all across the county. Whether in the fields of social services, health care, community housing, the environment, sports, recreation, arts or culture, there are countless career paths for people who share the sector's common vision: to make a difference.
Jobs in the nonprofit sector can be difficult to categorize. The fact that well over half of Canadian nonprofit employers have fewer than five employees and three quarters of them have fewer than ten employees means that employees within organizations often have to wear more than one hat in their day-to-day work. Whether splitting their time between human resources work and volunteer coordination or balancing client interviews with committee meetings, nonprofit employees need to thrive on using their varied talents every day.
Although jobs in the nonprofit sector tend to be more loosely defined than those in the public or for-profit sectors, it nonetheless remains clear that there are specific categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) that are more prevalent in the sector than others.
In this section, we have outlined 10 general job classifications that are common in nonprofits. While they certainly do not encompass all of the jobs that nonprofit employees carry out on a daily basis, they are provided here to give those interested in work in the nonprofit sector an idea of what types of employees are often in demand.
Adapted and shortened from the Government of Canada's Working in Canada Tool, the HR Council provides these snapshots to aid all types of job seekers. Whether you are a student interested in working in the nonprofit sector upon graduation, someone looking to enter the sector from another line of work, or are looking for a career change within the sector, these job snapshots can help focus your career path.
Use the navigator on the right side of the page to proceed to the job outline(s) that are of most interest to you.
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Community and social service workers
Jobs in this category might also be called: addictions worker, crisis intervention worker, family service worker, group home worker, addictions worker, community counsellor, mental health support worker or social aid officer, among a wide range of job titles.
What do they do?
- Community and social service workers interview and assess clients to determine their needs, abilities and deficits in order to provide appropriate support and assistance. They may provide this assistance themselves, or refer their clients to other organizations for help.
- They may provide crisis intervention services or organize emergency shelter if needed.
- Community and social service workers evaluate the appropriateness of their services on an ongoing basis by tracking their clients’ progress. They work to make their services personalized to those seeking their help.
- People working in this field may be responsible for supervising volunteers or other support workers within their specific organization.
What education do they need?
Completion of one of the following college or university programs is necessary for jobs in this field: social work, counselling, child and youth care or other social science or health-related discipline. For some positions, previous work experience as a volunteer in the field may replace formal education; this will vary with the level of the position.
Do they need a license or certificate?
Jobs in this category do not require licensing or certification in any Canadian province or territory.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills of oral communication and working with others are very important for those working as community and social service workers. They need to use their oral communication skills and interpersonal skills to communicate with both their clients and with other workers in order to provide the best services possible. Critical thinking, decision making and problem solving are also necessary skills for jobs in this category. These skills are needed to assess client progress, to develop appropriate programs for at-risk populations and to determine the effectiveness of the work they are doing.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:Early childhood educators and assistants
Jobs in this category might also be called: child care worker, child care assistant, day care worker, preschool helper, preschool teacher, day care worker, day care helper, day care assistant, early childhood assistant or early childhood program staff.
What do they do?
Early childhood educators (ECEs) work to support and promote child learning and development. They plan and lead children in activities that promote literacy, creative expression, dramatic play, physical fitness and health and hygiene, among other things. ECEs look for signs of delay or disability in children and take appropriate action to get students the help they need.
ECE assistants work to support ECEs by conducting and monitoring the programs developed for the children in their care. They assist children in proper eating, dressing, and hygiene habits and may prepare snacks. ECE assistants attend staff meetings and discuss the progress and problem of children with their supervisors. They may assist in the set-up and maintenance of program equipment and perform housekeeping duties when needed.
What education do they need?
ECEs require a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in early childhood education. ECE assistants or helpers generally need a high school diploma as well as relevant experience working with children. Some assistant positions may require an early childhood education assistant certificate. Relevant work experience and progression is required for more senior positions in the field, such as those of day care supervisor.
Do they need a license or certificate?
To be considered an ECE in most provinces, you need to be recognized by the provincial government or credentialing body. The Child Care Human Resources Sector Council provides an online guide to credentialing that explains the process in each province/territory.
What skills are employers looking for?
The main skills needed by ECEs and ECE assistants are those of oral communication, working with others, problem solving and decision making. They must interact with children and parents on a regular basis and be comfortable communicating with both. They rarely work alone, and need to be team players. ECEs and ECE assistants need to help children learn to follow the rules and deal with conflict. Decision making skills are needed to select appropriate learning activities and resources for their students.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
Educational counsellors
Jobs in this category might also be called: school counsellor, student counsellor, guidance counsellor or academic counsellor.
What do they do?
Educational counsellors aid students and prospective students in the areas of social and personal counselling as well as vocational and academic counselling. They are equally at home helping students through times of personal crisis as they are helping them with résumé preparation. Educational counsellors may work with students, prospective students, parents and/or teachers.
What education do they need?
If working in a school setting, a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or education is usually required. Jobs may also require a teaching certificate. Some positions will also require a master’s degree in counselling, educational or developmental psychology, or social work.
Do they need a license or certificate?
The only province in which this profession is regulated is Quebec. In that province, membership in a professional association is required for educational counsellors working in school settings.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills that are particularly important to educational counsellors are oral communication, critical thinking and working with others. They must be able to work with other counsellors to provide the best support to those seeking their expertise, and must be able to clearly communicate with students in order to help them to the best of their ability. Counsellors must use their critical thinking skills to assess people’s needs and evaluate their progress and development on a regular basis.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:Family, marriage and other related counselors
Jobs in this category might also be called: family counsellor, marriage counsellor, family therapist, addictions counsellor, child and youth counsellor, bereavement counsellor or sex therapist.
What do they do?
Family, marriage and other related counsellors (FMCs) work to assess clients and develop counselling and intervention programs to meet their clients’ needs. They provide therapy and other counselling services and aide their clients in establishing goals and working to meet those goals. FMCs may work with other agencies to provide their clients with all of the services they need. Some will also be involved in research in the field and may publish papers and articles or attend conferences. Senior counsellors may also be responsible for supervising and organizing other workers in their organization.
What education do they need?
A master’s degree in mental health, counselling or a social service discipline is usually required for this type of position. For some positions, however, a bachelor’s degree or college diploma may be adequate. Therapists often need to complete supervised clinical work with clients as part of their studies, and post-graduate work is an important part of their ongoing education.
Do they need a license or certificate?
The only province in which this occupation requires certification is the province of Quebec. However, in order to use the word ‘registered’ before their title, counsellors and therapists in this field are required to join the appropriate provincial association. Some employers may require membership in a provincial association as a term of employment.
What skills are employers looking for?
The main skills required by FMCs are oral communication, critical thinking and working with others. Counsellors must be able to effectively communicate with their clients and with other counsellors in order to provide the best services possible. They must use critical thinking in order to be able to evaluate the appropriateness of their interventions and to determine further counselling needs. FMCs must be able to work well with others, since counsellors often work as part of a team. They also need to be able to liaise with other community agencies on a regular basis.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
Jobs in this category might be called: health care planner, health educator, wellness consultant, drug and alcohol abuse consultant, mental health programs consultant, clinical research associate or health care researcher, among other titles.
What do they do?
Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (health policy researchers) assist in developing health policy by collecting and analyzing data, reviewing literature, and advising officials on various topics pertaining to the health sector. They may design and implement health programs and policies, and evaluate programs already put in place. Health policy researchers often provide consulting services to clients across various job sectors. They usually have a particular area of specialization within the field of health policy development, research and implementation.
What education do they need?
Jobs in this field generally require a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in one of the following areas: health science, social science, public administration, recreation administration or hospital administration. For some positions, a master’s degree in these areas may be required. Progressive work experience in the health field is needed for progression to managerial positions.
Do they need a license or certificate?
This category of occupations does not require licensing or certification in any Canadian province or territory.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills required for this series of jobs are extremely varied. Among them are: oral communication, working with others, problem solving, and critical thinking and decision making. This classification of jobs often places emphasis on research skills as well, including computer use, information finding, and writing and reading text.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
Jobs in this category might be called: environmental impact analyst, ergonomist, patent agent, industrial hygienist, scientific consultant or transportation safety analyst, among other titles.
What do they do?
- Science policy or program officers conduct research related to fields such as transportation, energy, land use and the environment. They advise or develop policies related to these fields and may promote public awareness related to the environment, waste reduction and natural resources.
- Industrial hygienists study and evaluate physical, chemical or biological hazards in the workplace. They may conduct investigations and make suggestions for changes in the workplace to reduce the risk of illness or injury. Industrial hygienists may also be involved with such tasks as teaching safe workplace procedures.
- Ergonomists conduct research and advise on the physical relationship between people and their working or living environment. They work to ensure safety, productivity and comfort for their clients in a variety of surroundings.
- Patent agents advise clients on the nature of patent law, prepare patent applications and represent their clients before the patent office.
What education do they need?
A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in a scientific or technical field is usually required for jobs in this category, and a master’s degree may also be required. Occupational hygienists may need to be certified by an appropriate national or provincial registration board. For a position as a patent agent, 12 months of work experience in the field and the completion of examinations set by the commissioner of patents is necessary.
Do they need a license or certificate?
Jobs in this category generally do not require licensing or certification. Ergonomists may choose to be certified by the Canadian Ergonomics Certification Board.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills required for this series of jobs are extremely varied. Critical thinking, oral communication and decision-making skills are very important in these jobs. People employed in these professions also need to be very comfortable working with others.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
Occupational Therapists
Jobs in this category might also be called: clinical occupational therapist, community occupational therapist.
What do they do?
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with clients dealing with limitations due to illness, injury, aging or developmental disorders. They analyze their clients’ capabilities and work with them to establish their goals and expectations related to self-care, work and leisure. OTs work with clients individually or in group settings to increase or restore their ability to care for themselves and engage in a variety of activities.
What education do they need?
A university degree in occupational therapy is required to work as an OT. In some provinces, graduation from an occupational therapy program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is accepted. Supervised fieldwork is an essential part of an OT’s training.
Do they need a license or certificate?
OTs require a license to work in all 10 Canadian provinces. In some provinces, membership in the national association – Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – is also required.
What skills are employers looking for?
The main skills required by OTs are oral communication, critical thinking and working with others. OTs must be able to effectively communicate with clients about their conditions and treatment plans. They must also be able to exchange effectively with their colleagues and supervisors in order to provide the best course of treatment to those under their care. OTs must use their critical thinking skills in order to perform a variety of tasks, including evaluating the urgency of care and potential for rehabilitation of clients and the effectiveness of treatments. OTs use their ability to work with others every day, both with clients and with other therapists, doctors and nurses.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
Jobs in this category might also be called: certified personal trainer, personal trainer, aerobics instructor, fitness instructor, lifeguard, recreation program leader, playground worker, camp counsellor or day camp leader, among other varied titles.
What do they do?
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (program leaders and instructors) plan and carry out a wide variety of athletic, sport and recreation activities. They instruct individuals and groups in recreational, leisure and art programs and help their clients to perform these to the best of their abilities. Program leaders and instructors may be responsible for the set-up and maintenance of sports and game equipment. They ensure that rules and safety regulations are enforced. Program leaders and instructors may work clients with special needs.
What education do they need?
Qualifications for program leaders and instructors are as varied as the positions they hold. For most jobs, completion of secondary school is required. Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education is often required and extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is an asset. Program leaders and instructors often require certification in first aid or other emergency care.
Do they need a license or certificate?
This classification of occupations does not require certification or licensing in Canada. However, certification may be required in a specific area of activity, such as ski instructor, lifeguard or personal trainer.
What skills are employers looking for?
The main skills required by program leaders and instructors are oral communication and working with others. They must be able to work with clients and other leaders and instructors on a daily basis to complete their tasks. Program leaders and instructors need to be able to effectively communicate with their clients to help them develop their sport, recreation or leisure skills. They must use their communication skills to effectively pass on their expertise to those interested in learning.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
Jobs in this category might be called: home economist, citizenship officer, human rights officer, labour policy analyst, social services planner or settlement counsellor, among many other titles.
What do they do?
- Social policy researchers and social service planners conduct research and develop programs based on demographic, social and economic analysis. They identify areas of need, while also making sure that services are not being duplicated.
- Home economists advise consumers on the selection and use of food products, textiles and other consumer goods. They may teach household skills, or work to develop or promote new products related to their field.
- Workers in this category of jobs often conduct research, analyze data and interpret statistics.
- Social policy researchers, consultants, and program officers use the data they collect and interpret to better the lives of the communities around them and the people they serve.
What education do they need?
For the majority of jobs in this category, a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in social sciences is required. A degree in business administration can also be an asset. Some positions in this category may also require a master’s degree. Home economists require a bachelor's degree in home economics, home economics education, human ecology, nutrition and food sciences or family and consumer studies.
Do they need a license or certificate?
While registration is not mandatory for jobs in this category, it is available for the designation "Registered Home Economist" in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. It is also possible to register as a "Registered Professional Home Economist" in British Columbia.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills required for this series of jobs are extremely varied. Among them are: oral communication, working with others, problem solving, critical thinking and decision-making. This classification of jobs often places emphasis on research skills as well, including computer use, information finding and writing and reading text.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:Social workers
Jobs in this category might also be called: medical social worker, psychiatric social worker, social work supervisor or coordinator of social work.
What do they do?
Social workers work with individuals, families or groups to provide the help needed to aid people in dealing with personal and social problems. They act as advocates for their clients, providing services ranging from investigation abuse and neglect to the referral of clients to agencies providing financial, medical or housing assistance. Depending on their position, social workers might conduct research, evaluate existing programs or work to develop new social programs in the community. Social workers sometimes specialize in a specific field of practice; common fields include child welfare, addictions, mental health, family services and gerontology.
What education do they need?
A bachelor’s degree in social work is required for entry-level social work jobs in nearly every Canadian province and territory. For an increasing number of jobs in the field, a master’s degree is also required. Supervised practical experience is often part of a social worker’s educational requirements.
Do they need a license or certificate?
The use of the title ‘social worker’ or ‘registered social worker is regulated in all Canadian provinces. Membership in a provincial association of social workers is usually required for work. Often, oral and written provincial exams must be taken to become a member of the provincial association.
What skills are employers looking for?
The skills that are of particular importance to social workers are oral communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Social workers must be able to effectively communicate with their clients, other social workers and community agencies to provide the best support to those in need. They need to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to deal with clients who may be less than cooperative and who may be aggressive, openly hostile or suicidal. Social workers also need to problem solve to help people access services which may have long waiting lists. Critical thinking is an essential skill in evaluating the effectiveness of their therapies and interventions.
You can find more in-depth information about this career on the Working in Canada Tool.
You may also be interested in:| Community and social service workers |
| Early childhood educators and assistants |
| Educational counsellors |
| Family, marriage and other related counselors |
| Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| Occupational Therapists |
| Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness |
| Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
| Social workers |
