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 starting at 1.25 days per month (3 wks/yr)
· Paid Wellness Days
· Comprehensive benefits package and pension (CAAT)
Nature and Scope at Anchor Youth Space:
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a service model that offers low barrier access to community-led services for youth aged 12 – 25 and their caregivers. IYS provides early intervention, prevention, and care regarding mental health and substance use, as well as coordinated access to other services.
Each IYS site provides rapid access to high quality, youth-appropriate, evidence-informed supports and services. Youth can access services in person, by telephone, or through a virtual platform. The overall goal of Integrated Youth Services is to transform how young people access mental health care and services.
The following are important principes that guide the Anchor Youth Space model:
· Youth and caregiver participation in the design, implementation, and the evaluation of services.
· The co-location and integration of services, including mental health and addictions care, primary health care, community and peer support, and social services.
· Continuity of services from age 12 to age 25, including supporting youth’s transition to adult services.
· Services that are culturally responsive, accessible, high quality, youth centred, and evidence informed.
· Stepped care to ensure the appropriate levels of care, at the right time, by the right provider.
· Ongoing collaboration amoung all Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia sites and the Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia Provincial Leadership Team.
· Ongoing, robust measurement of service impact and continuous quality improvement.
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. The Youth Journey Coordinator is often the first point of contact at the site. The position provides reception, administrative, and organizational support to the site manager, core site staff, and any other members as assigned, and supports the coordination of daily site operations and service delivery.
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Key Responsibilities:
1. Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, social determinants of health, and principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
2. Act professionally and ethically, following all organizational and Anchor Youth Space guidelines, applicable legislation, regulations, best practices, and professional standards.
3. Inclusively welcome youth and caregivers, promoting a positive experience and connecting them to appropriate services and supports.
4. Provides timely communication and follow-up with team members, youth, and caregivers.
· Answers phone calls, relays messages, and refers callers, with follow-up as appropriate.
· Processes incoming/outgoing mail and emails.
· Provides support for group programs and drop-in services to ensure they meet the needs of youth and Anchor Youth Space programming.
· Maintains supply of snacks and beverages in the waiting area.
· Handles sensitive and challenging situations with discretion, tact, confidentiality, and a non-judgmental approach.
· Books and handles administrative details for clinics, events and meetings.
· Prepares purchase requisitions, cheque requests and petty cash vouchers.
· Manages inventory of supplies and places orders as required.
· Arranges travel, including booking and expense recovery, as required.
· Establishes and maintains office filing system, manuals and records to ensure efficient storage and retrieval of material.
· Ensure documentation data is entered into the Anchor Youth Space Nova platform, assist youth in entering data as required.
· Take part in Anchor Youth Space planning, development, team building, and performance reviews.
· Take part in Anchor Youth Space training, professional development, research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
· Other duties as required.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
· High School diploma or GED required.
· Graduate from a recognized Office Administration, Business or Secretarial Diploma Program preferred.
· Minimum (1) one year of relevant experience required; (2) two years preferred.
· 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.
· Well-developed knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
· Demonstrated knowledge and skills to serve youth and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, including African Nova Scotian, Newcomer, and Indigenous populations required.
· Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills required.
· Demonstrated good judgement and high levels of interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy required.
· Demonstrated affect management skills and self-awareness.
· Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and to work independently and collaboratively, required.
· Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, be flexible in response to changing demands, and ensure effective organization and time management required.
· Demonstrates high regard for quality, accuracy and attention to detail.
· Demonstrate ability to maintain timely and accurate electronic client records required.
· Proficient in MS Office computer applications and file management, and email programs.
· Ability to provide services in person, by telephone, and virtually required.
· Competencies in other languages are an asset.
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.
· Work involves significant interaction with youth, caregivers, and families.
Competencies:
In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, and an orientation to service, the Youth Journey Coordinator should possess the following competencies:
1. 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.
2. Planning/Organizing – Ability to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action for self and others to accomplish short- and long-term goals.
3. Solution Focused – Ability to identify an issue, gathers and processes relevant information, determine possible solutions, selects appropriate responses and implements and evaluates them.
4. 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 IYS experience. Demonstrates an ability to support rapid access and low barrier service delivery through identification and solution-minded action.
5. Community Awareness and Understanding – Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the vision, mission and values of the organization.
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: $42,000.00-$48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
