Youth Worker

Employment Type: Full- Time (Permanent)
Department: Seniors and Children & Youth Services 
Union: Included (CUPE Local 2497)
Salary: $26.42
File #: 24-SCY-27 (1 Open)
Posting Date: September 09, 2024
Posting Close: September 23, 2024

The Youth Worker will be required to work Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Manager, Children & Youth Services, the Youth Worker is responsible for providing informal support to children and youth in the community by planning and implementing effective and engaging programs for youth and by mentoring and coaching youth and their families. The Youth Worker is also responsible for working collaboratively with other youth workers in the department and agency and with partner agencies to provide effective support to the youth community of Regent Park. 

 Duties and Responsibilities  

• Establish and maintain positive, supportive relationships with youth and their families through the development and implementation of successful and effective afternoon/weekend programming. 
• Work with youth and their families to acquire and maintain needed services, resources, and supports. 
• Develop, deliver, and maintain effective working relationships with key supports and resources in the community. 
• Mentor youth and provide informal confidential support. 
• Support youth to develop skills in managing peer and adult relationships, health, education, sexuality, and drug use. 
• Provide support to youth by directing them to workshops, formal and informal services. 
• Plan and implement successful and effective programs for youth. 
• Facilitating workshops and activities , including creative and informative overnight excursions and retreats. 
• Refer youth who require more formal and/or intensive supports to appropriate services to meet their needs. 
• Ensuring that youth-specific resources and literature is readily available and accessible. 
• Keep up-to-date on community resources and issues affecting youth in the Regent Park Community.  
• Maintain accurate program records and statistics and prepare required reports.  
• Plan, market and facilitate workshops and activities that broaden the participant’s social and professional networks.   
• Reach out to other community partners, residents and members of the business sector, and design and develop presentations/forums on settlement needs and experiences.  
• Develop volunteer/mentorship opportunities for youth.  
• Represent the agency as required, at relevant community agency meetings/events.   
• Work collaboratively with manager and other Dixon Hall staff and volunteers.  
• Actively participate in department and agency meetings and events.   
• Work under the guidance of the agency and program policies and procedures, including the Mission, Vision and Values of Dixon Hall.  
• Meet regularly with manager to discuss individual and team effectiveness.  
• Other duties as required. 

Qualifications 

• Degree in Social Work/Social Sciences or College Diploma in Social Services. Relevant post-secondary education may be exempted by the employer if the applicant has at least 3 years’ experience working with youth in community settings. 
• Three to Four years youth engagement experience along with experience working with youth from diverse ethno-cultural, socio-economic backgrounds and leadership experience such as youth mentoring and/or volunteering. 
• Demonstrated experience in program planning and implementation and practical experience working with youth in community based settings. 
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of issues facing youth at risk, and most specifically young women and girls. 
• Experience with casework process, including needs assessments, referrals, case management and follow-ups. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver workshops/educational forums; assess and evaluate various programs/activities and develop appropriate evaluation tools. 
• Familiar with youth services in the City of Toronto and Ontario and experienced in working in collaboration with other community organizations. 
• Experienced in working in multicultural settings with staff, clients and volunteers who are from different ethno-racial backgrounds. 
• Strong verbal and written English language communication skills; fluency in additional languages will be considered an asset. 
• Computer literacy utilizing MS Office applications with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software applications. 
• Able to provide a “Clear” vulnerable sector police background check on an “as required” basis. 
• Must have excellent communication, teamwork, leadership and advocacy skills and the ability to work independently. 
• Must be able to work evening hours and weekends. 
• Must be qualified to work in Canada legally for the employer. 
• Able to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening check with a ‘Clear’ or satisfactory result that meets the operational requirements of the Agency. 
• Must have up-to-date vaccinations against COVID-19 with a vaccine that has been approved for use in Canada. 

Dixon Hall is dedicated to fostering an inclusive selection process and work environment, guided by their Race Relations and Employment Equity Policies. If selected for an interview, please inform the hiring manager or the People and Culture team of any accommodations you may require during the interview process.

To achieve their goal of inclusivity and diversity, Dixon Hall actively seeks exceptional candidates from varied backgrounds and with lived experiences. Individuals who self-identify as being from marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or who have experienced homelessness, are strongly encouraged to apply.