Youth Worker (Congregate Care) - FT (2026-349-YPS)

WoodGreen Community Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

WoodGreen Community Services in Toronto is seeking a Youth Worker for the Redwood Program, a 6-bed congregate care setting for male youth involved with the justice system and facing mental health challenges.

The role provides direct client care, supervision, documentation, and shift work in a structured, on-site program. A relevant college diploma or degree, 1 year of live-in youth work experience, and First Aid/CPR are required.

Qualifications

• University or College degree and/or diploma in Child & Youth Work and/or Bachelor of Social Work.
• 1 year of work experience with youth in a live-in treatment setting.
• Demonstrated understanding of the complex issues and challenges facing our clients.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent communication, organization, administrative and computer skills.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• Ontario G driver’s license and comfort driving agency vehicle considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, client care and supervision to clients in the congregate care program.
• Perform the duties of a Primary Worker for assigned clients.
• Promote and integrate Youth and Family Engagement.
• Promote an environment of inclusion that promotes equity and respects diversity.
• Develop and deliver activities and therapeutic programs.
• Ensure the safety and security of the residents in the facility.
• Complete documentation and reports as required.
• Participate in the day-to-day operation of the facility.
• Shift work is required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Communication

Teamwork

Documentation

Education

Diploma in Child & Youth Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Competition # 2026-349-YPS Youth Worker (Congregate Care) - FT (2026-349-YPS) Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time, CUPE Bargaining Unit (2vacancies) Work Hours: 80 hours bi-weekly, 30 or 50 hours per week Work Setting: Exclusively On-Site (Redwood Program) Salary: $57,571.30 Application Deadline: September 22, 2026by 11:59 pm

Who We Are

WoodGreen is a team of diverse and innovative change makers working together to make a difference in our communities. A United Way Anchor Agency with a proven track record and an entrepreneurial mindset, we continuously seek to develop solutions to critical social needs while striving to become a Centre for Equity. Visit www. woodgreen.org to learn more about who we are and to review our Equity Statement. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce, representative of the communities we serve. We encourage, and are pleased to consider, applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, women/women identifying, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who contribute towards promoting innovative ideas and solutions.

Program Overview – Youth Justice Program, Redwood Program

The Redwood Program is our new youth justice, congregate care program. It is a 6-bed, gender specific, structured, live-in program for young males involved in the justice system and living with mental health challenges. The goal of the program is to prevent and reduce youth involvement in the criminal justice system and support their reintegration to the community. Youth Workers provide direct, quality client care and supervision to program clients. They provide client-focused and strength-based relationship-based interventions. This program is staffed by at least two Youth Workers at all times.

What You Will Do

• Incorporate in your work a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.
• Provide direct, client care and supervision to clients in the congregate care program.
• Perform the duties of a Primary Worker for assigned clients.
• Promote and integrate Youth and Family Engagement.
• Promote an environment of inclusion that promotes equity and respects diversity.
• Develop and deliver activities and therapeutic programs.
• Ensure the safety and security of the residents in the facility.
• Complete documentation and reports as required.
• Participate in the day-to-day operation of the facility.
• Shift work is required.
• Perform other duties as required.

What You Bring to the Team

• University or College degree and/or diploma in Child & Youth Work and/or Bachelor of Social Work.
• 1 year of work experience with youth in a live-in treatment setting.
• Demonstrated understanding of the complex issues and challenges facing our clients.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent communication, organization, administrative and computer skills.
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Valid “Understanding and Managing Aggressive Behaviour” certification.
• Valid “First Aid/CPR” certification
• Completion of required suicide prevention and intervention training.
• Ontario G driver’s license and comfort driving agency vehicle considered an asset.

What Will Set You Apart

• Demonstrated experience in the youth justice sector considered an asset.
• Appreciation of the importance of engaging youth and families from a strength-based relationship-based approach.
• Sensitivity to, and ability to work with, a diverse client and staff group.
• Ability to demonstrate an anti-oppression approach to practice and work from a client-centered, anti-racism, harm reduction, and trauma informed approach is required.
• Demonstrate knowledge of issues affecting marginalized communities, policies, legislation, programs, and other issues related to scope of practice and social determinants of health.
• Experience working with diverse and marginalized communities, including ethno-cultural and religious groups, LGBTQSS+ youth and youth adults, those impacted by poverty and those involved in youth justice.

This is a collective bargaining unit position with CUPE Local 3501