Junior Graphic Designer - Canada Summer Jobs (10 - 12 Week Contract)

About HIEC

HIEC is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise that focuses on partnership, mentorship and workforce development in Ontario. With over 30 years of experience as an active community-focused organization, HIEC aims to enhance career education and inspire youth to make informed career decisions. We offer a team environment that encourages innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Position Description:
Bring your creativity to life this summer! Were seeking aJunior Graphic & UI/UX Designerto support our marketing and communications team in developing engaging, user-friendly visual content across digital, print, and web platforms. If you're passionate about visual storytelling, user-centred design, and growing your portfolio in a supportive environment, wed love to hear from you

Summary:
As a Junior Graphic & UI/UX Designer, youll contribute to the design and layout of marketing collateral, digital assets, and simple user interface elements that support our online platforms. You'll help enhance user experience through wireframes and mockups, ensuring our website and digital tools are intuitive and accessible. This is a hands-on opportunity to work alongside writers, developers, and project managers in a collaborative environment. You will gain hands-on experience in a dynamic, supportive environment where attention to detail, creativity, and teamwork are key.

This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Candidates must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the funded position.
• Be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or someone to whom Refugee Status has been granted/conferred.
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Be available to work 35 hours/week over an 8-week period (May to August)

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and update print and digital materials such as flyers, postcards, brochures, and event signage, ensuring brand consistency and visual appeal.
• Assist in the layout and formatting of longer-form materials, such as guides and toolkits.
• Develop eye-catching and social media graphics aligned with campaign strategy and optimized for engagement.
• Create basic wireframes and mockups for web pages or digital tools with a focus on usability and accessibility.
• Collaborate on improving navigation, layout, and visual design of key digital touchpoints (e.g. program pages, landing pages).
• Develop simple, impactful graphics optimized for various social media platforms, aligning with brand guidelines and campaign strategies.
• Help create basic wireframes for new or updated website pages, collaborating with team members to ensure a positive user experience.
• Apply brand standards and design principles consistently across all formats and platforms.
• Collaborate with writers, marketers, and project managers, accepting feedback and contributing to successfully delivering design projects on time.
• Maintain an organized digital library of design assets and project files, ensuring resources are easy to locate, update, and share with the team.
• Additional duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications to succeed:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Web Design or related program.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign); familiarity with Canva is considered an asset.
• Understanding of core UI/UX principles such as visual hierarchy, accessibility, and responsive design.
• Previous experience in a graphic design role or digital interface design is considered a strong asset.
• Comfortable creating visual assets for websites, including buttons, icons, and basic page layout.
• Strong understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and visual storytelling.
• Basic knowledge of social media platforms and content design best practices.
• Ability to learn new tools and adapt designs based on project goals and feedback.
• Previous experience creating marketing collateral, social media graphics, or web wireframes is considered an asset.
• Must meet eligibility criteria for the Canada Summer Jobs Program (ages 1530 and legally entitled to work in Canada).

Key Competencies:

• Interest in working for a not-for-profit organization
• Strong eye for detail, layout, typography, and colour.
• Demonstrated interest in creating user-centred, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing experiences.
• Ability to learn new tools and adapt designs based on project goals and feedback.
• Creative, organized, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Basic understanding of social media platforms and content best practices.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and take initiative, adaptability, approachability, and openness to self-directed learning.
• Brings fresh ideas to projects while working within established brand guidelines.
• Ensures accuracy, consistency, and high-quality execution across all design work.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects, receiving feedback, and adjusting priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Design with both brand identity and end-user experience in mind.

Working Conditions:

• Typical working hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with some requirements to work additional hours, occasionally during evenings and weekends. It may require some flexibility to support high-impact events and programs that run from time to time
• Travel required within Ontario or Canada for presentations, partnership meetings, conferences, etc.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment and supplies up to 25 lbs

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain real-world experience in graphic design and UI/UX Design . If you are a motivated individual with a passion for creating engaging visual content and are eager to contribute to our organization's success, we would love to hear from you!

We thank everyone who submits an application for their interest! This job opening represents an existing vacancy. Although our team is mighty, it's still small; only successful applicants will be contacted.

HIEC is committed to equity and creating a respectful and inclusive workplace culture that reflects the broad diversity of communities we work with. This includes people who identify as immigrants, refugees, women, Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2S+ people of colour, and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for qualified candidates during each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that candidates applying for Canadian job openings should be authorized to work in Canada. Please contact Human Resources by phone at (905) 634-2575 ext. 107

As a condition of employment, HIEC requires individuals to be "fully vaccinated" (as defined by the Government of Ontario), against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Notwithstanding, HIEC will provide reasonable accommodation to any individual who is not able to comply with this vaccination requirement due to a disability or other ground protected by the Ontario 'Human Rights Code'. If you require such accommodation, please contact HR as soon as possible (905) 634-2575 ext. 107