Youth Advocate Worker

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is inviting applications for two permanent, full-time positions of Youth Advocate Worker with the Youth Advocate Program with Parks & Recreation.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Manager of the Youth Advocate Program, the Youth Advocate Worker is responsible and accountable for advancing the goals and objectives of the Youth Advocate Program. The Youth Advocate Worker is a member of the multidisciplinary Youth Advocate Program team and is responsible for delivering this community-based Wrap-Around program, advocating for "right fitting" services and supports, guiding participants, coaching, team building, mentoring and day-to-day operations. The position is responsible for delivering a core component of the program and responding to issues and requests as required.

The Youth Advocate Worker advocates on behalf of the youth assigned to their caseload for better outcomes for those youth who are at risk of, or who are involved in, criminal and or gang-related activity on a sustained basis. The Youth Advocate Worker must remain progressive, and solution-focused in the delivery of this program.

More information on the Youth Advocate Program can be found here:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Champions and implements the principles of the Youth Advocate Program's community-based Wrap-Around model.
• Participates in the intake, orientation and exit processes.
• Led by youth and family, develops action plans, assesses and interprets progress/lack of progress and adjusts action plans accordingly.
• Responsible for monitoring, intervening and documenting the daily performance of youth.
• With, and at times on behalf of program youth, advocates for improved service delivery, access to services and service modification.
• Ensures that the emphasis of the advocacy and case management work results in services and supports that build resiliency, promote risk prevention/mitigation, and increase the protective factors that help youth to withstand the stress and pressures of their daily lives.
• Identifies and acts on issues that may negatively impact or harm program youth.
• Ensures, through case conferencing and case management, that services and supports for each youth are coordinated and are delivered most efficiently and effectively for the youth and their family.
• Demonstrates leadership and professionalism while maintaining positive working relationships with youth and families, the public, internal and external colleagues and management.
• Manages risk and adheres to safety and crisis protocols and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, recreation management, counselling or other social science or health-related discipline
• One year of work or volunteer experience in a social service environment working with at-risk youth and their families in a culturally diverse and/or low-income community; or
• Three years' experience volunteering or working in an urban inner-city environment with at-risk youth and their families in culturally, racially diverse, and/or low-income communities may replace formal education.
• Class 5 driver's license and access to a vehicle is required.
• Lived experience in a racialized, African Nova Scotian or marginalized communities will be considered.

Technical / Job-Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of working in a community setting with families living in unsafe, high-risk situations.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of the Wrap-Around model. Understanding of restorative practices.
• Ability and skills related to advocacy, building cooperation, achieving consensus, solution-oriented problem solving and decision making.
• Knowledge of the youth criminal justice, child welfare and health care systems.
• Knowledge of resources, supports, organizations and opportunities across HRM available to youth and their families.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job-specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Decision making, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Networking/Relationship Building, Risk Management, Teamwork & Cooperation, Values & Ethics, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: permanent, full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 35 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

SALARY: $37.22 per hour; Level 7 as per the collective agreement between NSGEU Local 222 and HRM.

WORK LOCATION: Youth Advocate offices at Cole Harbour Recreation Office & Dartmouth North Community Centre (Note: Dartmouth North Community Centre is currently closed, the work location is temporarily moved to the Cole Harbour Rec Office).

Work location may be changed according to operational requirements.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2025

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.To ensure a fair & equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews, independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) & who require an accommodation should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process, please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

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