Youth Worker

Job Description

The Youth Worker is responsible for providing support and guidance to young individuals, helping them navigate challenges, develop life skills, and achieve their personal goals. This role involves working closely with youth, their families, and other support networks to create a positive and nurturing environment.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

Household Operations & Safety, Youth Support & Development

Duties and Responsibilities

Household Operations & Safety

• Fulfill cooking and cleaning responsibilities, adhering to all food safety protocols
• Contribute to the home’s organization and maintenance to ensure a therapeutic milieu
• Identify and report any damage or disrepair to the Director, Youth & Family Care
• Follow cleaning schedules and adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies to maintain staff and client safety and security at all times

Youth Support & Development

• Assess and address the immediate and basic needs of the program’s youth
• Complete and maintain logs, files, and records, ensuring confidentiality is protected
• Engage youth in life skill development and goal planning that supports independent living; assist youth in developing practical daily living skills, including budgeting, job readiness, academic planning, and time management
• Liaise with other agencies on behalf of youth and programs and participate in community committees, projects, or activities as appropriate; build positive relationships with the youth’s families, schools, and communities
• Develop healthy relationships with youth and model healthy living and positive choices
• Facilitate and/or source a variety of programs for youth at Abbey Ridge
• Provide a supportive environment that promotes youth empowerment and decision-making
• Ensure that a quality, effective, and client-directed program is delivered
• Support self-administration of medications as needed
• Transport youth as required

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in training new staff and students and provide guidance and supervision to placement students as requested
• Participate in New Dawn and Abbey Ridge team meetings and professional development sessions
• Ensure program delivery is consistent with Abbey Ridge’s mission, vision, and philosophy
• Identify opportunities for improvement and assist in implementing solutions
• Demonstrate professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity in all interactions while promoting and representing New Dawn’s mission, vision, and values internally and externally
• Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills through ongoing learning, professional development, networking, and participation in relevant professional associations
• Foster positive workplace relationships through effective communication, mutual respect, collaboration, and accountability
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Core Competencies

• Servant leadership
• Ethics and integrity 
• Client and community-focused
• Initiative and problem solving    
• Accountability and dependability 
• Strong oral and written communication
• Teamwork and collaboration     
• Detail orientation  
• Adaptability

Qualifications

• Relevant education in the social service field and/or experience working with youth
• High level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness
• Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client directed approach and a social justice perspective)
• Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, government funding, and the social service delivery system is an asset
• Strong understanding of facility management, security, and health and safety is an asset
• Standard First Aid/CPR and Food Safety or commitment to secure upon hiring
• Experience supervising employees, and/or students, volunteers with demonstrated leadership, supervision skills and ability to develop an effective team
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs and maintain a fairly active pace
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet
• Demonstrated compassion, empathy, diplomacy, and sound problem-solving skills
• Experience working with and advocating for individuals and communities facing vulnerability and systemic barriers
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively as part of a team, and under direction when required
• Strong attention to detail, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to build positive relationships and work effectively with others toward shared goals
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, accountability, and commitment to confidentiality
• Understanding of and commitment to servant leadership, community-centered practice, and New Dawn’s values

Working Conditions

• Regular interaction with employees, volunteers, management, participants, children, families, and members of the public
• Travel between worksites and within the community may be required
• Occasional overtime and evening or weekend work may be required to meet operational needs
• Work may be performed indoors and outdoors, depending on operational requirements
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting throughout the workday
• Physical ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and industrial products, dust, noise, varying temperatures, and other environmental conditions associated with the work

Total Compensation Package

At New Dawn Enterprises, we recognize that employee well-being is fundamental to individual success, organizational excellence, and thriving communities. In addition to competitive wages, hourly employees may be eligible for the following benefits and supports. Eligibility for specific benefits may vary based on employment status, position, and length of service. Employees covered by a collective agreement may be subject to different terms and conditions as outlined in their applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Extended Health & Well-Being 

GroupHEALTH offers integrated wellness services through Sparrow Health, including enhanced mental health support, seamless access to virtual healthcare, and an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Services include critical incident support, 24/7 crisis assistance, substance-use management, and other wellness resources.

Flexible Work Arrangements

In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human well-being, New Dawn makes every effort to offer flexible work schedules. Divisions across New Dawn are structured differently and may offer varying levels of flexibility while continuing to meet operational requirements. Depending on the role, flexible arrangements may include self-scheduling (regular schedule and/or time off coverage), flexible start and end times, remote work, and other accommodations.

Paid Vacation

Hourly employees receive vacation pay at a rate of 4% of gross earnings, increasing to 6% after eight years of service. Employees are entitled to two weeks of vacation annually, increasing to three weeks at that time. As vacation pay is paid on each pay cheque, vacation time taken is unpaid.

Paid Holidays

New Dawn observes the following six (6) public holidays recognized under the Labour Standards Code: New Year’s Day, Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day. Employees required to work on a general holiday will receive either their regular pay plus time and a half, or their regular pay plus a paid day off in lieu, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code.

In addition, New Dawn observes Remembrance Day (November 11) in accordance with the Nova Scotia Remembrance Day Act. Eligible employees are entitled to a paid day off, and the workplace will be closed except where an exemption applies.

Rewards & Recognition

New Dawn celebrates employee contributions through service awards, milestone recognition, and ongoing appreciation programs that acknowledge achievements and significant personal and professional milestones.

Paid Required Education Renewals

When certifications, training, licenses, or credentials are required for a position, New Dawn covers renewal costs. Support for professional designations and licensing fees may also be provided based on role requirements and divisional budgets.

Professional Development

New Dawn is committed to supporting employees in developing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Development of new position-relevant skills and perspectives creates a stronger, more informed, and modern organization. Employees are encouraged to explore professional development opportunities in collaboration with their manager.

Café Marie Discount

Employees are entitled to a staff discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Corporate YMCA Membership Program

To support employee health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership provides staff with a 12% discount on the cost of individual membership, and New Dawn covers 50% of the discounted individual membership cost.