Title: Youth Support Worker
Department: Community Programs
Classification: Full Time, Salaried, Non-Management
Hours: 37.5 hours per week. This position requires afternoon and evening availability. Occasional weekend work also required.
Location: Spryfield, NS
Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000 per year
YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse individuals.
Why work for the YWCA
Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.
Why YOU should apply
Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.
Program Overview
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is an international and pan-Canadian movement that takes a community-led, partnership-based approach to support for youth ages 12-25. Anchor Youth Spaces provide timely, coordinated access to a wide range of programs and services. IYS reduces barriers, promotes early intervention, and integrates wraparound supports such as mental health and addictions care, primary health, social services, and peer support.
All services are delivered within a welcoming, youth-friendly environment where relationship building and engagement are foundational. Youth Support Workers (YSWs) are crucial to creating and holding genuine everyday relationships that build trust through facilitating programs and activities so that when challenges emerge youth feel supported to comfortably access specialized services when they need them most.
Key Responsibilities:
- Embrace a holistic, equity focused, and trauma-informed approach to youth well-being grounded in IYS Guiding Principles, the social determinants of health, and YWCA Halifax’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility and anti-racism.
- Plan, deliver, and co-facilitate programs, workshops, and activities with internal and external stakeholders that engage youth while promoting belonging, life skills, cultural identity, harm reduction, and knowledge of mental health and addictions challenges.
- Foster a welcoming atmosphere that supports soft entry and low barrier access to programs and services.
- Build rapport and provide direct service to youth ages 12-25, including supportive conversations around youth mental, physical, and social well being.
- Assist with case management and crisis intervention, care planning, referrals, and transitions to adult services.
- Collaborate with youth and colleagues to develop, implement, and revise care plans and goals, and use data to guide care conversations and interventions.
- Nurture opportunities for youth engagement, leadership, personal development, and peer support.
- Develop and implement youth support initiatives within the IYS site and engage youth in the community through outreach.
- Collaborate with IYS colleagues, site management, coalition partners, committees and provincial leadership to ensure services reflect IYS Principles at all levels.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the IYS-NS data platform and, where required, assist youth in entering data.
- Participate in IYS planning, evaluation, team building research and quality improvement initiatives locally and provincially.
- Contribute to IYS committees, working groups, and communities of practice; participate in regular performance appraisals, training, and professional development.
- Assist with site reception, orientation, and drop-in functions, ensuring an inclusive and youth friendly space.
- Act with the highest professional and ethical standards, following all organizational policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulation, and professional standards and codes of ethics.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Degree or diploma in Child and Youth Care, Psychology, Social Work, or related social sciences field from an accredited college or university or required; with a specialization in mental and addictions preferred.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience working with youth or young adults required, preferably in mental health and addictions services.
- Prior experience providing peer support, program, or workshop facilitation would be an asset.
- Experience working with people who bring diverse lived experiences, including 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Métis), African Nova Scotians, racialized communities, newcomers, people with disabilities, and others with intersecting identities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multi-service environment.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and build rapport with diverse youth, including those impacted by trauma.
- Proficiency with electronic case documentation and Microsoft Office suite.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including some evening and weekends.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification (including naloxone) and Non-violent Crisis Intervention; or a willingness to obtain this training
- Must be able to provide a current Child Abuse Registry and Criminal Record check with a Vulnerable Sector check upon hire.
YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disability, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.
If interested, please send your cover letter and resume in one document.
Deadline: Until filled
Pay: $50,000.00-$55,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?
Work Location: In person
