Overview
Location: Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater
197 Dufferin Street, Bridgewater, NS
Program: Anchor Youth Space - Integrated Youth Services (IYS)
Position Status: Salaried – part time (20 hours per week)
Salary: $24.16 per hour
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 at 0.625 days per month
· 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 to 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.
Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater 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.
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 Support Worker provides support, mentoring, and advocacy for youth, ages 12 to 25. The Youth Support Worker employs a relational, empowering, developmental, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice. The Youth Support Worker works collaboratively with youth, their caregivers, members of the Anchor Youth Space team, and others, helping youth meet their individualized 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, 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 policies, guidelines, applicable legislation, regulations, best practices, and professional standards.
3. Integrating the clinical recommendations from the site clinician and service support from IYS manager, the Youth Support Worker provides the following services to youth who present at the Anchor Youth Space site for services:
a. Support youth to understand, improve, and maintain their mental and physical well-being.
b. Facilitate referrals to services both internal and external to Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater. Support youth to create and maintain connections to relevant services and care providers.
c. Collaborate with youth and Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater team members to establish, implement, and revise care plans to support youth in working towards their goals.
d. Assist young people on their wellness journey and in the successful transition to adult services.
e. Assist team members with development of care plans, case management, and crisis navigation.
4. Support the development and implementation of caregiver and youth peer support initiatives for the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater.
5. Plan and facilitate group programs for youth that build social connections, a sense of belonging and significance, and strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills related to mental health and substance use, cultural identity, life skills, and overall well-being.
6. In collaboration with the Provincial Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, organize and support the Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater Youth Advisory Council.
7. In accordance with an established site outreach plan, proactively engage with youth in the community who may benefit from Anchor Youth Space Services, to develop a rapport and introduce them to Anchor Youth Space Bridgewater.
8. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and protocols, and best practices relevant to integrated youth services and child and youth care profession.
9. Ensure documentation and data is entered into the Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia platform and use the data to guide care; 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 Nova Scotia training, professional development, research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
12. Assist with the reception, welcome, and drop-in functions of the Anchor Youth Space site as needed.
13. Other duties as required.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
1. Successful completion of a diploma in Child and Youth Care from an accredited college or university, preferred. Education in mental health and addictions, preferred.
2. One (1) year of relevant experience required; two (2) years preferred. Experience working in mental health and substance use, preferred
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. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, First Aid and CPR certification, and Naloxone Training within the last 12 months or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment.
5. Valid Nova Scotia driver’s license, regular access to a reliable vehicle.
6. Well-developed knowledge and skills in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
7. Demonstrated knowledge and skills to serve youth and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, including African Nova Scotian, Newcomer, and Indigenous populations required.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of, and commitment to, trauma-informed and person-centred care required.
9. Demonstrated skills in communication, relationship-building, de-escalation, and conflict resolution with youth, caregivers, and families.
10. Demonstrated skill and knowledge in group facilitation, and program development required.
11. Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team required; previous training and experience working in an integrated service delivery model, preferred.
12. Demonstrated knowledge of attachment, adolescent development, and family dynamics and functioning strongly preferred.
13. Demonstrated skills in role modelling, mentoring, and relational practice, preferred.
14. Willingness to lead group programs required, prior group facilitation experience, preferred.
15. Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills required.
16. Demonstrated good judgment and high levels of interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy required.
17. Demonstrated self-awareness and affect management skills.
18. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and to work both independently and collaboratively, required.
19. Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, be flexible in response to changing demands, and ensure effective organization and time management required.
20. Demonstrated ability to maintain timely and accurate electronic client records required.
21. Proficient in MS Office computer applications and file management, and email programs.
22. Ability to provide services in person, by telephone, and virtually required.
23. 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.
Competencies:
In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, and an orientation to service, the Youth 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. 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: $24.16 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- 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
