Shelter Youth Worker

YouthLink; Toronto; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental coverage

Vacation with pay

Authorized absence days

Agency days

Maternity/Parental leave top-up

Long-term disability coverage

Pension plan after 2 years

Job summary

YouthLink in Ontario is seeking a dedicated Shelter Youth Worker for the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP). This permanent, full-time role provides direct care, supervision and support to residents, helping them set SMART goals and connect to community resources.

You will follow trauma-informed, equity-based practices, maintain documentation, and collaborate with staff to ensure safety and well-being.

Qualifications

• Minimum Diploma in CYW or SSW and relevant education/experience.
• At least 1 year frontline experience in residential/housing/shelter settings.
• First Aid/CPR certification is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP.
• Perform intake orientation and admissions duties.
• Assist residents in developing short/long-term SMART goals and link to resources.
• Maintain daily logs and client files; document incidents and safety plans.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure safety, confidentiality, and trauma-informed care.
• Maintain program areas and support housing program operations.

Skills

CYW Diploma or SSW

1 year frontline experience

Education

Diploma in Child and Youth Work or Social Service Work

Tools

EMHware

SMIS

Job description

August 28, 2026 Posting #1571

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
• Health & dental coverage for you and your family with 100% premium cost paid by employer.
• 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).
• 100% premium cost for long-term disability coverage paid by employee.
• Eligibility to participate in pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with generous matching contribution from employer.

Shelter Youth Worker

Permanent, Full-time 35 hours per week

Bargaining Unit Position

The Youth Worker is responsible for providing direct, quality care and supervision to residents of the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP) as well as the day to day operations. Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focusedon the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents.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

Direct Care and Supervision of Residents:

• Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate.
• Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to housing program rules and expectations.
• Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake
• Provides direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP and support youth with daily routines.
• Assist youth in developing both short and long term SMART goals and an action plan to achieve these goals, accompany youth to appointments, and connect youth to resources and community support networks, assist youth in finding more stable housing.
• Promote and integrate Youth and Family engagement.
• Communicate effectively with diverse clients and staff, handle confidential information discreetly, and use relevant software proficiently.

Safety and Crisis Management:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of resident by managing crisis intervention, respond to crisis situations following appropriate procedures, ensures debrief process for youth; provides support to other staff if needed.
• Demonstrate strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Maintenance and Cleanliness:

• Maintain the cleanliness of the program area by assisting and maintaining the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping workspace tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for 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.
• Monitor building and mechanical systems, address issues promptly and ensure compliance with health standards.

Documentation and Reporting:

• 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.
• Complete daily logs, record medications and usage in the client information database (EMHware, SMIS) by the end of each shift.

Professional Development and Collaboration:

• Participates in individual supervision meetings, team meetings, case conferences, workshops and committees as required.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner when dealing with families, external professionals, general public and community partners.

Health and Safety Compliance:

• Follow policies, procedures, and safe practices to protect own and others' health and safety.
• Maintain required certifications (First Aid/CPR, CPI/SMG), complete necessary training, and ensure medical clearances.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of Housing First for Youth framework.

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.

Other duties as assigned

Highlights of What You Bring

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

• Minimum Diploma in Child and Youth Worker or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent education and experience.
• Valid First Aid / CPR certification is an asset.
• Valid CPI/SMG certification (Crisis Prevention Intervention) is an asset.

Experience

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

Work Hours and Working Conditions:

• 35 working hours per week.
• Monday to Friday (3:30pm – 11:30pm)
• 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.

Salary: Starting $50,105.

Full job description available here: https://youthlink.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JD-Shelter-Youth-Worker-Day-Full-time-Evening.pdf

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 [e-mail]

Application Deadline: Open until Filled.

AI Disclosure:

Our Hiring Process & Use of Technology:

At our organization, people are at the heart of everything we do—including how we hire. We utilize an HRIS platform with integrated AI capabilities to support elements of our recruitment process, including application screening and candidate evaluation. These tools are used to enhance efficiency and consistency but do not replace human decision-making.

We are committed to fair, inclusive, and equitable hiring practices, and we regularly reflect on our processes to reduce bias and ensure all candidates are treated with care and respect.

If you require accommodations during the recruitment process or have any questions about how your application is reviewed, please feel free to reach out—we’re happy to support you.