Trauma-Informed Youth Support Worker

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Competitive compensation

Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days,

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Gym discounts

City bike rentals

Auto & home insurance

Job summary

Covenant House Toronto is seeking a dedicated Youth Worker to support youth in transitional housing settings, building professional relationships and guiding participants toward independent living. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, ongoing assessments, and coordinated safety across shifts.

Youth Workers engage in group life skills sessions, individual counseling, and referrals to community supports while promoting respect and unconditional care in a dynamic shelter environment in

Qualifications

• College or university degree or diploma in child and youth work or equivalent.
• Minimum two years’ experience in a shelter or transitional housing program.
• Demonstrated ability of using trauma-informed approach working with young people.
• Understanding of case management principles and practices and relentless engagement.
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to youth experiencing homelessness.
• First Aid, CPR, UMAB and basic computer skills (SMIS, ETO, Word, Excel, etc.) an asset.
• Ability to identify, assess and intervene differentially with youth in crisis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community resources.

Responsibilities

• Building professional supportive relationship with ROP participants and supporting their plans including maintaining physical and electronic files in ETO.
• Supporting participants through orientation, their experiences in program and successful transition to independent living or other supportive housing.
• Utilize a trauma-informed approach and relentless engagement with participants.
• Facilitating at least two group life skill sessions monthly and providing occasional individual life skills with participants.
• Ongoing assessment of participants' needs; providing individual counseling and completing referrals to other supports in the community.
• Crisis intervention in situations of physical confrontation, medical and psychiatric emergencies, and for participants who have recently experienced trauma.
• Support participants in their life skills development by working one on one with them on daily routines such as personal hygiene, laundry, cooking, budgeting and room cleanliness.
• Advocating for participants both within the organization and external partners.
• Shift coordinating role that includes delegating responsibilities among staff team on shift and taking primary accountability for the safety of everyone and the environment.
• Conducting reception functions and monitoring of various spaces in the building to ensure safety.
• Management of the external environment; by supervisor’s request completing building checks and searches.
• Assisting in training of new staff.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Relentless engagement

Group facilitation

Counseling

Communication skills

Education

College or university degree in child and youth work or equivalent

Tools

SMIS

ETO

Word

Excel

Job description

Covenant House Toronto is seeking a dedicated Youth Worker to support youth in transitional housing settings, building professional relationships and guiding participants toward independent living. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, ongoing assessments, and coordinated safety across shifts.

Youth Workers engage in group life skills sessions, individual counseling, and referrals to community supports while promoting respect and unconditional care in a dynamic shelter environment in