Community Outreach Worker

**EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY**

**Community Outreach Worker**

**Title**:Community Outreach Worker

**Department**: Community Programs

**Classification**:Full Time, Salaried, Non-Management

**Hours**:37.5 hours per week

**Location**: Spryfield, NS _(with temporary work in Halifax until site opening)_
- **Cover letter required for consideration**_

YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse individuals.

**Why work for the YWCA**

Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.

**Why YOU should apply**

**Program Overview**

Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is an international and pan-Canadian movement that takes a community-led, partnership-based approach to support for youth ages 12-25. Anchor Youth Spaces provide timely, coordinated access to a wide range of programs and services. IYS reduces barriers, promotes early intervention, and integrates wraparound supports such as mental health and addictions care, primary health, social services, and peer support.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Embrace a holistic, equity focused, and trauma-informed approach to youth well-being grounded in IYS Guiding Principles, the social determinants of health, and YWCA Halifax’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility and anti-racism.
- Conduct intake, screening, and build supportive rapport, to provide collaborative service planning for youth ages 12-25 presenting with mental health, addictions, or related challenges.
- Triage youth presenting with mental health and addiction needs, and facilitate rapid access to appropriate services, including urgent and emergency care.
- Provide case management, navigation, advocacy, and referrals; support youth in transitions to adult services.
- Lead the collaborative development and implementation of a site youth outreach plan, using creative approaches to actively engage with youth who may benefit from IYS supports but are not currently connected to mental health or addiction services.
- Build strong relationships with youth, caregivers, and community partners, foster youth participation, leadership, and self-advocacy.
- Collaborate with IYS colleagues, coalition partners, and service providers to ensure integrated youth-centered care.
- Maintain accurate records in the IYS-NS data platform; use data to guide care conversations and interventions.
- Support site operations, including reception, welcome, and drop in functions, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
- Participate in planning, evaluation, professional development, committees, and communities of practice at local and provincial levels.
- Act with the highest professional and ethical standards, following all organizational policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulation, and professional standards and codes of ethics.
- Perform other duties as required.

**Qualifications and Requirements**
- Bachelor of Social Work required; registered or eligible to be registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
- Minimum two (2) years of social work experience required; with a preference for 3-5 years in one or more areas such as: intake and assessment, mental health care, addictions services, or youth services.
- Experience working with people who bring diverse lived experiences, including 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Métis), African Nova Scotians, racialized communities, newcomers, people with disabilities, and others with intersecting identities.
- A high degree of proficiency in mental health and addiction screening and risk assessment; including suicide assessment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to trauma informed, person-centered care, with sound judgement, interpersonal sensitivity, and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated experience and skill in collaborative case management.
- Strong knowledge of local community resources and skill in navigating service systems required; creative problem solving and tenacity when confronted with barriers to service access or engagement.
- Demonstrated knowledge of brief intervention strategies, solution focused approa