Contract Shelter Youth Worker

Youth Worker

Shelter/Residence Department

Onsite

Full Time, 12 month contract

Level 6

Requisition Number: RES & RES

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada's largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth's immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview: In this position the candidate will be responsible for direct implementation of Covenant House's philosophy, mission statement and policies as they pertain to residential care.

This role is specifically for day and evening shifts. Day shifts are 8am to 4pm and evening shifts are 3pm to 11pm.

We have two schedules available one is from Tuesday to Saturday and the other is from Sunday to Thursday.

We are currently recruiting for 2 Full Time, Contract Youth Workers. These are replacement roles within the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ongoing assessment and attendance to youth's needs, both physical and emotional, from a trauma informed lens.
• Assist with the development of a plan that addresses the expressed needs and goals of the client, in conjunction with them and the Case Manager.
• Facilitate the development of life skills and recreational activities through individual and group work.
• Meet with youth daily to offer support and assistance with plan elements.
• Connect youth to community resources and social supports as needed.
• Complete intake interviews and facilitate discharges from the program when appropriate in consultation with the Shift Supervisor.
• Manage wake up and bedtime routines, room access as well as access to laundry, tokens, assistance from other resources within Covenant House, including HCS, Educational and Vocational Services and Community Support Services.
• Provide individual counseling and support and management of behavior within the environment.
• Monitor meals, the packing of belongings and the movement of youth in and out of the building through both the Residential Reception area and the Main Reception.
• Ensure safety and security of the environment is maintained. Greet visitors, staff and emergency services at the Main Reception entrance.
• Provide assistance during times of illness or crisis by contacting emergency services or by utilizing appropriate supports with the agency.
• Responsible for caseload of up to 10 youth.
• Attend Case Management Team meetings, case conferences and any other meetings involving the client, or their plan as needed.
• Responsible for daily documentation of progress and activity on the youth's case plan.
• Works collaboratively with other departments and agencies involved in the client's plan.
• Update the Shift Supervisor, Case Manager and coworkers of any concerns or changes regarding client's situation or state of mind. 
• Participate in program evaluation through completion of outcome tools and surveys with youth.
• Complete all documentation relevant to incidents, intakes and discharges via the paper file, ETO and SMIS.
• Logging intakes, referrals, visitors to main reception, answering phone calls, calling emergency services when required.
• Checking and responding to email daily.
• Other additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• College or university degree or diploma in child and youth work or equivalent.
• Minimum two years' experience in a shelter or residential setting using a trauma informed approach.
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to street youth.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• First Aid, CPR.
• Ability to identify, assess and intervene differentially with youth in crisis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community resources.

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role but your resume doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.

What we Offer:

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply directly to this posting on or by February 10, 2026. Only those selected to move forward in our recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls please. 

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.

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