Integrated Youth Services Youth Support Worker - Sydney - New Dawn Enterprises

Description

Integrated Youth Services Youth Support Worker

Division: Anchor Youth Space
Deadline to apply: February 14, 2025, 4:00 pm
Email resume to: Human Resources
Schedule: Permanent/Full-Time
Salary/Wage: $55,000 annually
Openings: 1

Job Description

Reporting to the IYS Site Supervisor and working under the clinical direction of the site Mental Health and Addictions Clinician, the Youth Support Worker provides individual support, mentoring, and advocacy for youth (ages who are experiencing challenges related to mental health and addictions.

The Youth Support Worker employs a relational, empowering, developmental, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice. The Youth Support Worker works collaboratively with youth, their caregivers, members of the Integrated Youth Services team, and others, helping youth meet established goals and objectives, and supporting changes to care plans as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Embrace a holistic approach to youth well‑being, informed by the Pan‑Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti‑racism (EDIRA‑AR).

Under the clinical supervision of the site MHA clinician, provide direct service to assigned youth, ages 12 to 25:

• Actively support youth to understand, improve, and maintain their mental and physical well‑being.
• Facilitate referrals to services and programs, proactively support youth to create and maintain meaningful connections with service providers within and beyond IYS and facilitate the coordinated transfer and secure attachment of young people to adult services.
• Collaborate with youth and colleagues to establish, implement, and revise care plans and goals; support youth in achieving their goals.
• Assist with case management and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with IYS colleagues and others to coordinate and integrate service delivery at all levels.

Where required, assist youth in entering data (identified in the minimum data set) into the IYS‑NS data platform.

Under the direction of the MHA Clinician, make use of data to guide care conversations and interventions.

Plan and (co-)facilitate group programs for youth, in order to foster social relationships and belonging, and to increase participants' knowledge and abilities regarding mental health/addiction issues, cultural heritage & identity, life skills, and well‑being (defined holistically).

In collaboration with the provincial Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, organize and support the site‑based Youth Advisory Committee.

Assist in developing and implementing youth peer support initiatives within the IYS site.

Actively nurture and support formal and informal opportunities for youth engagement, personal development, peer support, and leadership.

In accordance with an established site outreach plan, proactively engage with youth and young adults in the community who may benefit from IYS, in order to develop a rapport and introduce them to IYS.

On an ongoing basis, work with site management and coworkers, IYS coalition member organizations, Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees, Collaborating Service Providers, and the IYS‑NS Provincial Leadership Team, to ensure that the Pan‑Canadian Principles of IYS guide all aspects of site operations.

Maintain timely and accurate electronic case documentation.

Participate in internal team meetings as required; look for potential improvements and help implement solutions.

Maintain quality, safety and the confidentiality of employees, clients, and volunteers.

Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn and IYS in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision.

Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations.

Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow‑through to build trust and workplace relationships.

Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally.

Other duties as assigned by the Director, Properties and Development.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Child and Youth Care from an accredited college or university, specialization in mental health/addiction services is preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year experience working with youth and/or adolescents (age 25 and younger), preferably in mental health/addictions services.
• Current and up‑to‑date CPR and First Aid Training.
• Current and up‑to‑date Naloxone Training.
• Current and up‑to‑date Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention Training.
• Current and up‑to‑date Brain Story Certification.
• Current and up‑to‑date Mental Health First Aid Training.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver's License, access to reliable transportation, and appropriate licensure and insurance to transport clients is required.
• Compassion and empathy.
• Experience working with and advocating for vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with guidance from others.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with others; to work together towards a shared goal.
• Highly organized and able to work well under pressure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite of programs and applications.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Understands servant leadership and community‑focus as central to the work.

Work Conditions

• Travel may be required.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Overtime may be required; working evenings/weekends as needed.
• Interacts with employees, management, and the public at large.
• Environment can be busy and/or noisy at times.

AIP Employer

New Dawn is proud to be an Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) employer. This means that New Dawn has been approved as an AIP employer and, as such, can endorse the AIP‑PR application of an eligible employee.

Note: employees are responsible for verifying that the employment position/category is eligible under the AIP program, or any other immigration program/stream for which they intend to seek the support/endorsement of New Dawn.

Compensation Package

Salaried Employee Compensation Package

New Dawn Enterprises believes in supporting the well‑being of its employees and, in service of this, has created the following compensation package for permanent, salaried employees of New Dawn Enterprises, in addition to their salaries.

New Dawn offers its employees group benefits provided by Group Health. Fifty percent (50%) of these benefits are paid by the employer, except for Long‑Term Disability benefits which are fully (100%) paid by the employee. The plan also includes a component for Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Vision Care. Dependent life is also included.

Self‑Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan

Employees may choose to begin participation in New Dawn's Self‑Directed RRSP plan after completion of three (3) months of employment. Employees may contribute up to 5% of their gross salary, deducted from their pay cheque. This is matched by the employer to a maximum of five percent (5%).

Reduced Hours Work Week

In recognition of the benefits of greater work‑life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human wellbeing, New Dawn has adopted a Reduced Hour Work Week. All full‑time salaried employees are required to be in the office for 32 hours per week. These hours can be worked over four or five days. At the start of employment, a schedule will be drafted that meets both the needs of the company and the employee.

Professional Development

New Dawn acknowledges and is committed to the ongoing professional development and lifelong learning aspirations of its staff. The acquisition of new position‑relevant skills and perspectives by employees creates a stronger, more informed, and modern organization.

Employees are strongly encouraged to research and outline education and/or professional development opportunities to discuss with their manager in the creation of their work‑plan.

Paid Holidays

New Dawn observes thirteen (13) public holidays and other days for which staff will be paid. They are: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.

In the spirit of family, the President reserves the right to close the office between Christmas and New Year's to enable employees to spend time with their families. This option will be reviewed, and a decision made annually depending on operational requirements. These non‑statutory days will have no impact on employee vacation time.

Paid Vacation

All new employees entering the organization as a salaried employee will earn 15 days of paid vacation during the annum.

Mental and Physical Health Days

Employees will be entitled to seven (7) days paid leave at the beginning of each calendar year. This can be carried forward to a maximum of fifteen (15) days total. It can be used for physical and metal wellness/illness and appointments for the employee or their family members.

Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)

New Dawn's Group Benefits Plan also includes the provision of an Employee and Family Assistance Program. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) is a support system that employees and their families can turn to for confidential help with stress, anxiety and depression, family and relationship issues, addictions, legal and financial difficulties, health and nutrition concerns and workplace and career difficulties. The program is confidential and optional and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Employees of New Dawn Enterprises can take advantage of a 20% discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Years of Service

The Years of Service Recognition Program recognizes and rewards the service of New Dawn employees at milestones in their careers. All permanent full-and-part-time New Dawn employees are eligible to receive the Years of Service award.

STAR Program

New Dawn is proud to recognize and reward the excellent work and achievements of its employees. Managers at New Dawn will be given an annual budget to provide ongoing and immediate recognition to their direct reports throughout the year.

Corporate YMCA Membership Program

In an effort to create more opportunity for staff health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership gives staff a 12% discount on the cost of membership, additionally New Dawn pays half the cost of an individual discounted membership.

New Dawn

New Dawn is Canada's oldest Community Development Corporation. Since 1976, we've been working to create a more just, healthy, and self‑determined community by responding to local needs and driving long‑term, systems‑level change. Today, New Dawn continues to focus on self‑reliance, resilience, and community‑led transformation. Every day, we engage thousands of community members and employ over 150 Cape Bretoners through programs and services that are practical, creative, and grounded in care. Our work spans health and social care, housing, the arts, youth, immigration, and community development. Some of these services generate revenue, which we reinvest into our organization — fueling sustainability and deepening community impact.

Anchor Youth Space

Anchor Youth Space Sydney is part of a provincial Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to provide community‑based programming, resources, and services to support youth aged 12 to 25. The IYS model offers a "one‑stop shop" where youth and their caregivers can access a range of services without the need for appointments or fees.

Territory Acknowledgement

We are in Unama'ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi'kma'ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi'kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self‑reliance and vibrancy.