Casual Youth Care Worker

YWCA Halifax; Halifax; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

YWCA Halifax is seeking a Youth Care Worker for a casual, permanent position in Halifax, NS. The role focuses on providing direct care to residents in a 24/7 residential setting, ensuring safety and well-being while applying harm-reduction and trauma-informed practices.

The position emphasizes crisis support, confidentiality, collaboration with partners, and the ability to lead in day-to-day activities and group programs for youth who have experienced trafficking or exploitation.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Child & Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Current First Aid/CPR training.
• Valid Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training or willingness to obtain.
• Subject to Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Search.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and harm-reduction approaches.
• Experience maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Experience supporting crisis/emergency situations and de-escalation.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and support to residents, ensuring safety and well-being.
• Identify, evaluate, and report risks; complete incident reports to the program lead.
• Clean and maintain common areas as needed.
• Liaise with internal and external service providers to support plans.
• Manage communication for resident inquiries and coordinate with staff.
• Maintain logs and communicate emergencies or incidents clearly.
• Prepare community meals and facilitate one-on-one and group activities.
• Monitor resident progress and team performance goals.
• Build relationships with community partners and stakeholders.

Skills

First Aid/CPR

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Confidentiality

Cultural awareness

Crisis de-escalation

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Education

Child & Youth Care

Social Work

Psychology

Related field

Job description

Title:

Youth Care Worker – Casual

Department:

Violence to Resilience

Classification:

Casual, Permanent

Hours:

Casual – This position does not have fixed/guaranteed hours

Location:

Halifax, NS

Salary Range:

$23.50/hour

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

Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.

Program Overview

This program provides a supportive, trauma-informed residential environment for youth who have experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation. As part of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team the Youth Care Worker is responsible for providing direct care and in-house support to youth, ensuring their safety and well-being in a 24/7 residential facility. This role focuses on ensuring safety, promoting well-being, and contributing to a respectful, nurturing environment grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practices.

Essential Duties of the Position

• Advance the vision and mission of YWCA Halifax.
• Provide day-to-day care and support to residents, ensuring their safety, security, and well-being.
• Identifies, evaluates, and reports risks associated with the dwelling, takes appropriate actions to address or alleviate risk, completes incident reports and reports these to the program lead.
• Cleans and maintains common areas as needed.
• Liaise with internal and external service providers to support consistent implementation of plans.
• Manages communication path for all current resident inquiries, passes information on to appropriate YWCA staff and/ or responds accordingly.
• Respects the confidentiality of all participants and ensures that all information is kept confidential.
• Maintains written logs.
• Maintains written and verbal communication regarding emergency incidents or situations with participants.
• Prepares community meals.
• Able to perform one-on-one and group recreational activities with participants.
• Monitor and report on resident progress and team performance objectives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with community partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Post-secondary education in Child & Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Current First Aid/CPR training.
• Valid Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training or willingness to obtain.
• Subject to Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Search.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and harm-reduction approaches.
• Must have experience working within confidentiality guidelines and always maintain a high degree of professionalism.
• Experience acting in a supportive role to assist in crisis/emergency situations and confidence in crisis de-escalation.
• Must possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be flexible, demonstrate a sound work ethic, and work with participants, staff, and others in a positive, courteous and respectful manner.

YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disability, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.