Youth Support Worker

**Title**: Youth Support Worker

**Location**: Community YMCA, 2269 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS

**Program**: Youth Educational Support Program (YESP)

**Position Status**: Full-Time, Contract (until May 2027)

**Compensation**: $33,500-$44,800K per year

**Reports To**: YESP Supervisor

There is potential inside all of us - we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem - our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, 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.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

**As part of your total compensation**:

- Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
- Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
- Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
- 3 weeks’ Vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
- Comprehensive benefits package and pension
- Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

**About the Role**:
YESP is an Educational Support Program designed to support youth at critical times in their educational journey. This program will enable youth to engage and succeed in their academic studies and transition smoothly to post-secondary education. It will endeavor to improve participants’ access to financial and material support to participate in their academic studies. YESP will build participants’ educational aspirations and resiliency through workshops and individualized support and help to improve participants’ wellbeing, sense of belonging and academic motivations.

Reporting to the YESP Supervisor, the Youth Support Worker (YSW) provides youth, leading up to and at critical academic transition points, with the community supports and life skill development they need for educational attainment and future success.

Program delivery includes, but is not limited to, the development of youth-centered plans, facilitation of workshops, supportive counseling and the coordination of peer mentorship.

The YSW uses an outreach model to meet youth within the community, at schools, local YMCA facilities or another appropriate site. The YSW is responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of program services. The YSW carries out their duties in a professional manner and in accordance with all YMCA policies and procedures, standards of practice, health and safety standards and child safeguarding standards.

**In this role you will**:

- Ensure a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for participants.
- Collects information to confirm eligibility and completes participant intake and/or assessment to inform ongoing participant supports to reach participant and funder outcomes.
- Designs, implements, and evaluates youth-centred individual action plans, in-person/virtual services and workshops as per guidelines and funder mandates.
- Performs case management as per guidelines and funder mandates.
- Consults with social workers, school administration, other professionals and family/natural supports when appropriate.
- Coordinates mentorship opportunities and relationships.
- Maintains knowledge of relevant services and community resources.
- Engages with schools, community agencies, and other organizations to maximize services and resources to participants.
- Adheres to all Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety requirements including the YMCA Child and Youth Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
- Inputs data accurately and timely into program designated database systems.
- Work within defined program budgets.
- Maintain accurate participant files in accordance with funder and YMCA guidelines.
- Collect demographic, output and outcome data for evaluation purposes and to inform and contribute to the development of funder and YMCA reports.
- Other duties as required.

**Education and Skills Qualifications**:

- Post secondary degree/diploma in Child and Youth Care Counselling, Education, Social Work, Recreation Management, or related field required
- 2 years of experience working directly with youth
- 2 years of experience in client intake and assessment, case management and workshop facilitation
- Experience work