Team Lead, Phoenix House
FULL-TIME, PERMANENT
START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2025
Since 1987, Phoenix has been dedicated to supporting youth and contributing to a vibrant community. Phoenix’s over fourteen locations in Halifax, N.S. provide a continuum of care for youth aged 11-24 and their families. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.
A staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve is of the utmost importance. Phoenix is committed to reducing barriers that have traditionally impacted access to employment and career growth. As such, we encourage those interested to self-identify their ethnicity, and or race, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. We also invite you to share your pronouns in your cover letter or resume.
Position Overview: The Team Lead works within the Phoenix Supportive Housing Program (PSHP), which is comprised of two residential programs that offer long-term housing for youth aged 16-24. This position will work primarily with Phoenix House, a transitional residence for 10 youth working towards an eventual goal of independent living.
Under the supervision of the Manager, the Team Lead is responsible for overseeing case management working with a team of three Key Workers, providing supportive counselling and crisis support for 10 youth, and supporting the day-to-day operations of Phoenix House.
Program Overview: Phoenix House is a ten-bed long-term residential facility for youth aged 16-24. It offers safe, supportive housing for youth while learning skills for independent living. Youth participate in programming such as education, employment, or volunteer work, while preparing to transition to their next housing goal.
The Phoenix House Manager will work in a shared office space located in a three-storey residential House in downtown Halifax. Access to the House and its interior is via stairs at street level. The facility features gender-neutral washrooms and a shared kitchen area. There are multiple common areas that can be accessed by both youth and staff. There is also access to an outdoor space at the back of the house that can be used for outdoor activities. There is also a staff fridge at this location as well that is accessible by all agency staff.
Compensation: $53,025 annual salary, comprehensive group medical insurance plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, RRSP contribution, 3 weeks of vacation in the first year and 4 weeks of vacation in the second year, generous sick leave, a generous paid holiday schedule, in-house trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Reports to: Manager, Phoenix House
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week with some flexibility, primarily Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Four floor shifts every 3 weeks are required: Mondays from 4pm to 12am and every third Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Occasional additional evening and/or weekend work as required. Week-long on-call responsibilities on a rotational basis also required.
Screening Requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work with youth, this position is subject to a satisfactory criminal records check including vulnerable sector search and child abuse register check.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the program delivery is congruent with Phoenix’s vision and values.
Work in accordance with Phoenix’s policies, procedures, and framework of practice.
Provide support and leadership to team of key workers (primary case managers) to support the case management of 10 youth:
Work with key workers to assist youth with the development of short-and long-term goals that support their transition to independent living.
Work with key workers to identify and make plans to address issues of concern that would prohibit youth from successfully transitioning to independence.
Offer direct programming services to youth, primarily focused on life skill development.
Regularly review case management plans with key workers.
Ensure case management tools are effective and current.
Support the agency’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through learning opportunities, critical self-reflection, and professional development.
Offer direct service to youth including interviewing, orientation, support meetings, crisis intervention, and departure activities.
Ensure a therapeutic milieu at Phoenix House.
Complete and maintain records, assessments, statistics, and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
Support the day-to-day operations at Phoenix House:
Oversee floor schedule.
Participate in the development and implementation of the program including strategic planning and evaluation.
Provide leadership and guidance to the staff team.
Support the supervision of student placements and volunteers.
Ensure the program delivery is congruent with Phoenix’s mission, vision, and philosophy.
Participate in creation and maintenance of a team environment within PHSP and within other Phoenix programs closely aligned with the work of Phoenix House.
Advocate with community agencies on behalf of the program and its youth.
Commit to Phoenix’s development and participate in internal committees, projects, and activities.
Commit to ongoing professional development and personal reflection towards an anti-oppressive approach to practice.
Liaise and advocate with other agencies and participate in community committees, projects, or activities.
Fulfill cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
On-call responsibilities following a scheduled rotation.
Other duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIRMENTS
Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client-directed approach, and a social justice perspective with explicit engagement in an anti-racist framework of practice).
Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness.
Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, youth service and organizational skills.
Experience supervising employees, students, and volunteers with demonstrated leadership, supervision skills and ability to develop an effective team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs, and maintain a fairly active pace.
Extensive knowledge of community resources, government funding, and the social service delivery system an asset.
Strong understanding of facility management, security, and health and safety is an asset.
Must have valid license and access to a vehicle.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Relevant Bachelor or master’s degree is required, Bachelor or Master of Social Work is preferred.
Registration or candidacy for registration with NSASW (if applicable).
A minimum of two years’ experience working directly with youth (including some experience in a youth residence).
Demonstrated excellent counselling/clinical skills and commitment to anti-oppressive practice.
Experience in case management.
Experience supporting others in case management.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and contribute to and foster a strong team environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and with limited direct supervision.
Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness.
Demonstrated knowledge of a supportive housing continuum.
Demonstrated successful practices including strategic planning, program development and implementation, community development, service delivery, communication, and evaluation.
Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs, perform cooking and cleaning responsibilities, and maintain a fairly active pace.
Non-violent crisis intervention, suicide intervention, standard first aid or a commitment to secure those requirements within six months of being hired.
TO APPLY:
*Please note that interviews may take place during the posting period.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter (in Word or as a PDF document) to careers@phoenixyouth.ca, with the subject line “Team Lead, Phoenix House”. Your resume should contain pertinent information about your qualifications and experiences and your cover letter should let us know why this is the job for you. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as received till midnight, Friday, September 5th, 2025.
Accommodation: Phoenix is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where every candidate feels respected and supported. We embrace equal opportunity in our recruitment and selection process and strive to meet the unique needs of all applicants. Phoenix will gladly provide accommodation to the best of our ability to ensure equitable access throughout the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during any stage of recruitment, please feel free to indicate this in your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
