Youth Justice Services Coordinator

**POSITION TYPE**: Contract

**STATUS**: Full-time Contract until March 31st, 2027 — Possibility of Extension

**DEPARTMENT**: Counselling

**AFFILIATION**: Unionized Position

**LOCATION**: Tropicana’s Head Office, 1385 Huntingwood Drive, Scarborough, ON

**HOURS**:9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri; 35 hours per week. Occasional Evenings & Weekends for workshop facilitation

**Salary**:$34.95/hr

**START DATE**:ASAP

**About the Organization**

For over 45 years, Tropicana Community Services (TCS) has been a pillar of strength and support, proudly standing as one of Canada's largest Black-led, Caribbean and Black-serving (B3) organizations. Our mission is to empower youth, newcomers, and families through culturally responsive services rooted in education, employment, and community development and we deliver on it through a diverse array of programs tailored to meet the needs of our community.

**About the Position**

The Youth Justice Services Coordinator implements and oversees programs designed to support Black youth involved in the justice system with a focus on prevention and reintegration. This role involves workshop facilitation, case management, liaising with various stakeholders to coordinate services, and creating and evaluating programs aimed to provide and empower Black youth with the necessary tools and resources to navigate life's challenges and pursue their aspirations.

**Areas of Responsibilities**
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment with Black youth who have been through the justice system to identify their needs, challenges, and priorities to help reintegrate them back into community life
- Prepare and facilitate curriculum for individual and group counselling sessions that focuses on cognitive and social life skills development, self-regulation methods, goal setting, and conflict resolution
- Conduct intake interviews with youth to determine the appropriateness of the referral and ensure their understanding of the legal process, legal consequences, and program requirements
- Liaise with youth, relevant supports, and referral sources (i.e. parents, foster parents, group home staff, teachers, justice partners, etc.), as required
- Maintain partnerships and work collaboratively with referral sources
- Ensure all program content and activities comply with relevant legislation, company policies and procedures, and stakeholder requirements
- Implement program evaluation methods and data collection tools such as collecting feedback through surveys and outcome assessments with youth participants, stakeholders, and legal experts, to meet funders’ expectations while ensuring all safety protocols are followed
- Promote support programs through community outreach campaigns, collaboration with schools, and partnering with local organizations to help Black youth make educated, sustainable, and healthy life decisions including educational, social, and personal development
- Plan, organize, and implement engaging cultural community activities and interests of Black youth with celebrations and volunteer opportunities that promotes cultural expression, social connection, and community involvement
- Other duties as assigned

**Skills and Qualifications**

**Education**:

- Bachelor's degree in social work and related work experience working with youth from the Black, African, and/or Caribbean community
- Knowledge of the Youth Justice System
- Understanding of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and related legislation

**Experience**:

- Lived experience of Black, African, and/or Caribbean culture
- Understanding of anti-Black racism issues
- Relevant experience in youth justice, social services, or community development
- An understanding of the legal duty to report under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, and other relevant legislation
- Sensitivity and awareness of the diverse cultural backgrounds and needs of Black youth involved in the justice system
- Ability to develop individualized participant plans by accessing their needs and goals, and monitor progress to make program improvements
- Experience providing culturally informed counselling for individual and group settings that focuses on life skills development, rehabilitation, reintegration for personal and professional growth for Black, African, and Caribbean communities
- Experience developing and implementing recovery support systems for youth to help them enhance their skills in decision-making, leadership, self-regulation, and pro-social skills
- Knowledge of restorative justice practices, and an understanding of systemic barriers (e.g. poverty, homelessness, substance use, addictions, etc.)
- An understanding of psycho-educational interventions and experience working with challenging clients
- Demonstrated ability to be decisive in crisis situations and knowledge of de-escalation techniques
- Empathy, compassion, sound judgment, and excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with youth, families, government entities, stakehol