Shelter Youth Worker (#1578)

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces. YouthLink works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, and racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and will embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.

YouthLink Benefits are Top of Class!

• Competitive pay
• *Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.
• *5 ‘authorized absence’ days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.
• *3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months’ service.
• Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments)
• Eligibility to participate in pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with generous matching contribution from employer.

*(pro-rated for part-time employees according to the employee’s full-time equivalency (FTE))

(temporary, Part-time 14 hours per week)

(ASAP – October 4th, 2027)

Bargaining Unit Position

The Youth Worker is responsible for providing direct, quality care and supervision to residents of the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP) as well as the day to day operations. Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focused on the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents. Staff will be expected to practice within a framework that is a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.

Highlights of Your Role

Direct Care and Supervision of Residents:

• Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate.
• Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to housing program rules and expectations.
• Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake
• Provides direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP and support youth with daily routines.
• Assist youth in developing both short and long term SMART goals and an action plan to achieve these goals, accompany youth to appointments, and connect youth to resources and community support networks, assist youth in finding more stable housing.
• Promote and integrate Youth and Family engagement.
• Communicate effectively with diverse clients and staff, handle confidential information discreetly, and use relevant software proficiently.

Safety and Crisis Management:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of resident by managing crisis intervention, respond to crisis situations following appropriate procedures, ensures debrief process for youth; provides support to other staff if needed.
• Demonstrate strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Maintenance and Cleanliness:

• Maintain the cleanliness of the program area by assisting and maintaining the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping workspace tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for food service, clean up and ensure all supplies are readily available.
• Keep all programming areas clean and tidy, disinfecting furniture, remake resident rooms after discharge, adhere to health and safety requirements.
• Monitor building and mechanical systems, address issues promptly and ensure compliance with health standards.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Documents according to professional standards any significant interaction with residents, maintains appropriate documentation in case file and logs, completes incident reports, police reports, under age contact reports, child protection reports, safety plans and medical feedback forms.
• Complete daily logs, record medications and usage in the client information database (EMHware, SMIS) by the end of each shift.

Professional Development and Collaboration:

• Participates in individual supervision meetings, team meetings, case conferences, workshops and committees as required.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner when dealing with families, external professionals, general public and community partners.

Health and Safety Compliance:

• Follow policies, procedures, and safe practices to protect own and others' health and safety.
• Maintain required certifications (First Aid/CPR, CPI/SMG), complete necessary training, and ensure medical clearances.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of Housing First for Youth framework.

Equity, Diversity and Belonging:

• Proactively stays updated on best practices as it relates Equity, Diversity and Belonging.
• Works collaboratively with ABR Committee and Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion and Community to embed best practices into all operational goals and processes.

Supports Organization’s Strategy:

• Actively contributes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan.
• Takes all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect his or her own health and safety and that of co-workers by complying and demonstrating knowledge of the policies, procedures and safe practices established by YouthLink.

Other duties as assigned

Highlights of What You Bring

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

• Minimum Diploma in Child and Youth Worker or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent education and experience.
• Valid First Aid / CPR certification is an asset.
• Valid CPI/SMG certification (Crisis Prevention Intervention) is an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of 1-year experience as a front-line worker, preferably in a residential, housing, outreach, or shelter setting
• Knowledge/Skill/Ability
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to street youth
• Understanding of the complex issues facing our clients
• Appreciation of the importance of engaging youth and families from a strengths-based relationship-based approach
• Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group
• Sound knowledge of the issues facing homeless and street-involved youth. Sound knowledge of the City of Toronto Hostel Standards and all other applicable legislation (CFSA, YCJA, Mental Health Act, etc.)
• Strong professional network and knowledge of relevant community resources
• Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in conflictual and stressful situations
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to resolve issues with supervisors and co-workers in a manner that is respectful and cooperative in accordance with the agency culture and philosophy
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Completion of required suicide prevention and intervention training
• Flexible person, team player who has strong organizational skills, time management skills, the ability to multi-task, shift priorities, handle interruptions and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate in both official languages and/or other languages is a definite asset
• Ability and discretion to deal tactfully with different clientele who can at times be difficult/ aggressive
• Demonstrated proficiency in the range of Microsoft Office products (intermediate Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet mandatory. Proficient and accurate keyboard skills.
• Ability and discretion to maintain sometimes delicate and confidential information.
• Attention to details and high level of accuracy
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, including anti-Black Racism.
• Bilingualism is an asset

Work Hours and Working Conditions:

• 14 working hours per week.

Saturday and Sunday (3:30pm – 11:30pm)

• Must be able to obtain a Broad Record Police Check.
• Proof of 2 Step TB tests required.
• Ability to work in a Pet Friendly Shelter.

Salary: Starting $50,105 (Salary to be pro-rated based on hours worked).

Full job description available here:

As an organization committed to equity and justice in our community, we believe lived experience and knowledge of equity, diversity, belonging and anti-Black racism is a critical component in our recruitment process. If you have a disability and require accessibility accommodations with the application process, please contact View email address on apply.j-vers.com.

AI Disclosure:

Our Hiring Process & Use of Technology:

• At our organization, people are at the heart of everything we do—including how we hire. We utilize an HRIS platform with integrated AI capabilities to support elements of our recruitment process, including application screening and candidate evaluation. These tools are used to enhance efficiency and consistency but do not replace human decision-making. We are committed to fair, inclusive, and equitable hiring practices, and we regularly reflect on our processes to reduce bias and ensure all candidates are treated with care and respect. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process or have any questions about how your application is reviewed, please feel free to reach out—we’re happy to support you.