Shelter Youth Worker

December 5, 2025 Posting #1517

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces. YouthLink works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, and racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and will embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.

YouthLink Benefits are Top of Class

• Competitive pay
• *Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.
• *5 'authorized absence' days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.
• *3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months' service.
• Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments)
• Eligibility to participate in pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with generous matching contribution from employer.

*(pro-rated for part-time employees according to the employee's full-time equivalency (FTE))

Shelter Youth Worker

(Permanent, Part-time 14 hours per week)

Bargaining Unit Position

The Overnight Youth Worker is responsible for supervising and assisting residents during overnight shifts, ensuring their safety, well-being, and adherence to agency policies. Overnight Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focused on the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents. This role involves intake and reception duties, crisis intervention, maintaining cleanliness, documenting interactions, participating in meetings and training, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and representing the agency professionally. Staff will be expected to practice within a framework that is a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.

Highlights of Your Role

Supervision and Assistance (Bedtime/Morning Routine, Crisis Intervention, Safety Checks)

• Supervise bedtime and morning routine activities of all residents, arrange for wake up calls for residents who request them; development of temporary case plan based on identified needs, respond to crisis intervention in situations of medical/physical emergencies and for youth who have experienced trauma.

Intake and Orientation

• Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents for emergency shelter, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate. Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to shelter rules and expectations. Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake.

Documentation and Administrative Tasks

• Documents according to professional standards any significant interaction with residents, maintains appropriate documentation in case file and logs, completes incident reports, police reports, under age contact reports, child protection reports, safety plans and medical feedback forms. Log and record medications and usage. Ensure information regarding service delivery is logged and recorded into the client information database by the end of each shift. Ensure safety and security of clients, guests, staff and property

Cleanliness and Maintenance

• Maintain the cleanliness of the program area. Assist and maintain the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping work space tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for morning food service, clean up and ensure all supplies are readily available. Keep all programming areas clean and tidy, disinfecting furniture, remake resident rooms after discharge, adhere to health and safety requirements. Identify and respond to issues related to the building and mechanical systems.

Meetings and Training

• Participates in individual supervision meetings, team meetings, case conferences, workshops and committees as required. Actively contributes to the Agency's Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan. Participate in all mandatory professional training provided by the Agency.

Representation and Promotion

• Represent the Agency in a professional manner when dealing with families, external professionals, general public and community partners.

• Promote an environment of inclusion that promotes equity and respects diversity

• Responsible for other duties as assigned

Equity, Diversity and Belonging:

• Proactively stays updated on best practices as it relates Equity, Diversity and Belonging. Works collaboratively with ABR Committee and Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion and Community to embed best practices into all operational goals and processes.

Supports Organization's Strategy:

• Actively contributes to the Agency's Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan.
• Takes all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect his or her own health and safety and that of co-workers by complying and demonstrating knowledge of the policies, procedures and safe practices established by YouthLink.

Highlights of What You Bring

Education:

• Minimum Diploma in Child and Youth Worker or Social Service Worker Diploma or a combination of directly related education and experience.
• Valid First Aid / CPR certification is an asset.
• Valid CPI/SMG certification is an asset.
• Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training

Experience:

• Minimum of 1-year experience as a front-line worker, preferably in a residential, housing, outreach, or shelter setting.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability:

• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusiveness diversity and anti-oppressive practices.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to street youth.
• Understanding of the complex issues facing clients, especially homeless and street-involved youth.
• Appreciation of the importance of engaging youth and families from a strengths-based relationship-based approach.
• Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group.
• Sound knowledge of the City of Toronto Hostel Standards and all other applicable legislation (CFSA, YCJA, Mental Health Act, etc.).
• Knowledge of relevant community resources.
• Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in conflictual and stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Completion of required suicide prevention and intervention training.
• Flexible person, team player with strong organizational skills, time management skills, ability to multi-task, shift priorities, handle interruptions, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (intermediate Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet use.
• Ability and discretion to maintain confidential information.
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.

Other requirements:

• Broad Record Police Check required
• Medical clearance include tuberculosis testing is required.
• Ability to work in Pet Friendly shelter

Salary: Starting $50,105 (Salary to be pro-rated based on hours worked).

Work Hours and Working Conditions:

• 14 working hours per week.
• Friday and Saturday (12midngiht - 8:00am)
• Must be able to obtain a Broad Record Police Check.
• Proof of 2 Step TB tests required.
• Ability to work in a Pet Friendly Shelter.

Full job description available here:

How to Apply:

• Submit application to - Please quote posting #1517 in the subject line.
• As an organization committed to equity and justice in our community, we believe lived experience and knowledge of equity, diversity, belonging and anti-Black racism is a critical component in our recruitment process. If you have a disability and require accessibility accommodations with the application process, please contact
• Application deadline: Open until Filled.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From $50,105.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person