Community Support Worker

Laing House; Halifax; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Halifax seeks a Community Support Worker to foster a welcoming environment for youth facing mental health challenges. Responsibilities include supporting members through their journey, delivering programs, and maintaining house operations. Applicants should have a degree in social work or similar, experience with youth, and skills in program facilitation. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, and the application process encourages diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Generous paid time off

Qualifications

• Experience supporting youth with mental health challenges is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of mental health recovery-oriented models.
• Satisfactory criminal record check required.

Responsibilities

• Support full member journey from intake to transition out of services.
• Coordinate and manage program logistics and deliverables.
• Create a safe and welcoming environment for members.

Skills

Organizational skills

Strong professional boundaries

Collaborative team player

Problem-solving abilities

Adaptability

Education

Post-secondary degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Community Support Worker plays a vital non-clinical role in fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for youth living with mental health challenges. This position supports members throughout their entire journey — from intake and orientation to ongoing engagement and transition out of services. The role involves providing one-on-one and group support that promotes wellness, personal growth, and social connection, as well as assisting members in navigating community resources and achieving their goals.

The Community Support Worker collaborates closely with program team to plan, deliver, and evaluate engaging, member-centered programs aligned with Laing House’s recovery pillars. They also take responsibility for daily house operations, including creating a clean and supportive space, opening and closing the house, and ensuring smooth program logistics.

This role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of young people while contributing to a supportive and vibrant community.

Key Responsibilities

Member Engagement & Support

• Support the full member journey — from initial intake and orientation through ongoing engagement, goal-setting, and eventual transition out of services.
• Provide welcoming and accessible recruitment and orientation support to new members.
• Maintain a caseload of up to 40 active members, offering consistent check-ins, encouragement, and tailored support aligned with individual needs and goals.
• Assist members in identifying and accessing relevant community resources, including supporting engagement with personal support networks, when appropriate.
• Facilitate wellness-focused conversations and activities that promote personal growth, recovery, and a sense of community.
• Facilitate goal-setting and transition planning, including support for life milestones (e.g., employment, education, aging out of Laing House).
• Accurately maintain member records, engagement logs, and program data using client database software (Salesforce) in accordance with privacy and documentation standards.

Programming

• Work collaboratively with the program team and management to plan, design, promote, facilitate, and evaluate all programs.
• Take ownership of program logistics, including organizing and managing supplies, preparing materials, setting up spaces, and ensuring smooth program delivery.
• Lead and support opportunities for member feedback and co-creation, such as informal check-ins, focus groups, and surveys, and ensure member voices are central to program development and continuous improvement.
• Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with members by providing ongoing encouragement, participation support, and follow-up throughout the program cycle.

General House Duties

• Create and maintain a welcoming, clean, and safe environment for members, staff, and visitors throughout all drop-in hours.
• Be present and actively provide support to members during drop-in times, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported.
• Take responsibility for the opening and closing of the house, following all operational procedures to ensure the space is secure and ready for use.
• Perform day-to-day house operations, including general cleaning, food preparation, and assisting with programming as needed.

Scope of Practice

Community Support Workers at Laing House play a vital non-clinical role in supporting youth living with mental health challenges. Members requiring clinical or emergency support will be referred to appropriate external professionals or services.

Qualifications & Key Competencies

Education: Post- secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Recreation Therapy, or a related Field, or equivalent experience.

Certifications: Standard First Aid & CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, ASIST (or commitment to obtain within four months of employment)

Other Requirements: Satisfactory criminal record check, including vulnerable sector search and child abuse register check.

Experience

• Experience supporting or working alongside youth and young adults with lived experience of mental health challenges is a strong asset.
• Experience in program development and facilitation
• Knowledge of mental health recovery-oriented models
• experience working in a non-profit environment is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities; detail-oriented and resourceful.
• Strong professional boundaries and self-care practices.
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude, adaptability, and a proactive approach to tasks.
• Aligned with Laing House’s mission and values, and committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.

Working Conditions & What We Offer

• This role is based at Laing House in the heart of downtown Halifax. While the position is primarily in-person to support our vibrant community space, there is flexibility for remote work when appropriate.
• Laing House operates Monday to Saturday from 12–8 PM. This position includes a combination of shift work during program hours (including evenings and Saturdays) and administrative hours typically scheduled Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM. Shift schedules will be shared among all Community Support Workers and provided at least four weeks in advance. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the organization and support programming outside of standard office hours.

• We care deeply about staff well-being and are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical and dental coverage, RRSP matching, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more.

• The start date for this position is October 1, 2025

How to apply

• To apply, please send one document that includes both your cover letter and resume to [e-mail]. We’d love to hear your story—tell us how your experiences, strengths, and values align with our mission in a thoughtful, personalized cover letter.
• Laing House is committed to building an equitable and diverse team that reflects the communities we serve and embodies our “Come as You Are” philosophy. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges. We also welcome and encourage candidates from equity-deserving groups to self-identify in their applications—including Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Black, Indigenous/First Nations, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people with disabilities—who share our values and commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering space.
• If you're invited to an interview and require any accommodations, just let us know by email—we’d be happy to make arrangements to support you.
• We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in, so if this role feels like a good fit, we encourage you to apply soon! The position will remain open until filled.
• If you have any questions about the opportunity, please reach out to Jenn Ross, Executive Director, at [e-mail]