Overview:
Location: Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater
197 Dufferin Street, Bridgewater, NS
Program: Anchor Youth Space - Integrated Youth Services (IYS)
Position Status: Salaried – full time
Salary: 45,000 – 55,000
Reports to: IYS Manager
Start Date: September 9, 2026 (anticipated)
Situation:
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to promoting growth of our people in Spirit, Mind and Body Our visions are one of thriving and healthy communities where everyone is generously welcomed and can shine. With caring, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, and responsibility, together we shine the brightest.
Every charity exists to help find solutions – our charity supports programs to address childcare shortages; social isolation; mental health issues; access to wellness; and more. Today our network is spread across 100+ program locations throughout the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities on mental health support, accessible childcare supporting increasing immigrant populations, providing safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.
We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.
There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine. With us at their side, they can Shine On!
As Part of your Compensation:
· Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
· Discounts on YMCA childcare
· Vacation accrual of 1.25 days/month (3 wks/yr)
· Paid Wellness Days
· Comprehensive benefits package and pension (CAAT)
Nature and Scope:
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a service model that offers low barrier access to community-based, community-led services for youth aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers. IYS provides early-intervention, prevention, and care regarding mental health and addiction issues, as well as coordinated access to other services.
Each IYS site provides access to high quality, youth-appropriate, evidence-informed support and services. Youth can access services in person, by telephone, or through virtual platforms. The overall goal of Integrated Youth Services is to transform how young people access mental health care and services.
Reporting to the IYS Manager and working under the clinical direction of the site Mental Health & Addiction Clinician, the Family Support Worker employs a relational, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to support families and caregivers as they navigate their youth’s wellbeing journey. The Family Support Worker works collaboratively with caregivers, youth, members of the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater team, and others, to support caregivers and families in meeting their goals.
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Key Responsibilities:
1. Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
2. Act professionally and ethically, following all organizational and Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater policies, guidelines, applicable legislation, regulations, best practices, and professional standards.
3. Reporting directly to the IYS Site Manager, while working in close collaboration with Mental Health & Addiction Clinician(s) and applying their clinical expertise and recommendations in the delivery of services. Family Support Worker provide direct service to caregivers and families:
· Meet with caregivers to assess their needs and options, and to provide information, education, and ongoing support.
· Facilitate referrals to services both internal and external to Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater. Support caregivers and youth to create and maintain connections to relevant services/care providers.
· Monitor and support caregiver’s progress towards identified goals.
· Assist caregivers to support young people on their well-being journey and in the successful transition to adult services.
· Assist team members with development of care plans, case management, and crisis navigation.
4. Lead the development and implementation of caregiver and youth peer support initiatives for the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater site.
5. Plan and facilitate group programming and activities for families/caregivers, including peer support, capacity-building, and other relevant programs.
6. In collaboration with the Provincial Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, organize and support the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater Caregiver Advisory Council.
7. Actively nurture and support formal and informal opportunities for caregiver engagement, peer support, and leadership.
8. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, polices and protocols, and best practices relevant to integrated youth services.
9. Ensure documentation and data is entered into the Anchor Youth Space Nova platform and use the data to guide care and programming; assist youth in entering data as required.
10. Take part in Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater planning, development, team building, and performance reviews.
11. Take part in Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater training, professional development, research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
12. Assist with the reception, welcome, and walk-in functions of the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater site as needed.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
1. Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in social sciences; Family Studies or similar discipline preferred. Education in mental health and addictions preferred.
2. Two (2) years of relevant experience required; three (3) to five (5) years preferred. Experience working with families and caregivers, and experience working with adolescents, required.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
4. Demonstrated excellent skills in communication, relationship-building, and conflict resolution, especially with parents and other caregivers.
5. Demonstrated good judgment and high levels of interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy.
6. Demonstrated affect management skills and self-awareness.
7. Well-developed knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA) required.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to trauma-informed care and person-centred care required.
9. Demonstrated skill and knowledge in group facilitation, adult education, and program development required.
10. Demonstrated knowledge of healthy parent-child attachment, adolescent development, and family dynamics and functioning strongly preferred.
11. Demonstrated skill in role modelling, mentoring, relational practice, and parent/caregiver development required.
12. Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team required; previous experience working in an integrated service delivery model preferred.
13. Demonstrated ability to take direction, and to work both independently and collaboratively required.
14. Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, be flexible in response to changing demands, and ensure effective organization and time management required.
15. Demonstrated ability to maintain timely and accurate client records required.
16. Willingness to provide services in person, via text & telephone, and virtually (from the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater site) required.
17. Competencies in other language(s) an asset.
18. Preference will be given to candidates who meet the above requirements and have lived experience as a caregiver supporting youth with mental health challenges and/or addictions.
Work Environment at Anchor Youth Space:
· This position deals with multiple demands, deadlines and dealing with the day-to-day interruptions.
· Work involves a moderate amount of physical, mental and visual demands.
· This position requires flexibility in work schedule to include weekend and evenings for programming, team trainings and meetings.
Competencies:
In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, and an orientation to service, the Family Support Worker should possess the following competencies:
1. Leadership/Coaching – Ability to direct and develop performance of others to achieve desired result.
2. Negotiation/Communication/Interpersonal Skills – Ability to speak, write, listen and secure information in a variety of settings. Ability to cooperate with others to achieve results. Ability to create and build relationships inside and outside the organization.
3. Planning/Organizing – Ability to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action for self and others to accomplish short- and long-term goals.
4. Solution Focused – Ability to identify an issue, gathers and processes relevant information, determine possible solutions, selects appropriate responses and implements and evaluates them.
5. Service Strategy – Ability to identify the needs and wants of members/participants as a priority and respond in an effective and timely manner to enhance every person’s YMCA experience within a low barrier framework.
6. Initiative/Enthusiasm/Innovation – Ability to manage and lead to achieve and exceed identified goals.
7. Community Awareness and Understanding – Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the vision, mission and values of the organization.
8. Youth Focused – Ability to develop age -appropriate programs that are fun, that support learning and designed with the needs of the youth in the community.
9. Project Resource Management – Ability to manage a project from initial planning to completion.
10. Strategic Planning/Visioning - Ability to visualize future direction and formulate strategies, plans and action to achieve vision.
Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:
· Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Registry Check (less than 3 months old, if 18 years of age or older)
· Attend all required Child Safeguarding Training and undergo all Child Safeguarding Policy requirements in the assigned timeframes.
· Valid First Aid and CPR Level C Certificate (or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment)
· Proof of Naloxone training within the last 12 months (or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment)
· Current certification in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment)
Please note, Background checks are reviewed on an individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.
To Apply: Please apply via email by Sept 9, 2026 to [email protected]
(Only qualified applicants that meet all requirements will be contacted)
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia is an equal opportunity employer that values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
Pay: $45,000.00-$55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
