Youth Worker, Phoenix Youth Shelter
FULL-TIME, PERMANENT
START DATE: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
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: Youth Workers work at our emergency youth shelter, a program for youth aged 16-24 experiencing a housing crisis. Reporting to the Program Manager, Youth Workers plan and deliver nightly youth-centred programming, such as painting, crafts, community walks, baking, or movie nights. Youth workers also handle day-to-day shelter responsibilities, including meal preparation, answering phones, conducting intakes, and maintaining a therapeutic milieu in the shelter space.
Program Overview: Phoenix Youth Shelter is a 20-bed emergency shelter that provides free, safe, emergency accommodations to youth ages 16-24. The Shelter supplies daily essentials (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) around the clock to youth who seek support. All residents have access to daily programming and are connected with a Key Worker who provides on-going guidance and support to help residents meet their identified goals.
The Weekend Overnight Worker will work in a shared office space in a four-storey residential building in the South End of Halifax. Access to the building is by stairs or ramp; access to the upper floors of the building is by stairs only. The facility features gender-neutral washrooms, a shared kitchen, private and shared offices, common areas for youth, private bedrooms for youth, hygiene supplies, and a donation room. Staff are provided with meals and snacks on shift.
Compensation: $48,696 annual salary, comprehensive group medical insurance plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, 3% Employer paid RRSP contribution, 3 weeks annually of vacation (prorated for the term), generous sick leave, a generous paid holiday schedule, in-house training, and professional development opportunities.
Reports to: Manager, Phoenix Youth Shelter.
Hours of Work: 80 hours bi-weekly with shifts (usually 8 or 12 hours) that fall during days, evenings and awake-overnights, weekdays and weekends.
Screening Requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work with youth, this position is subject to a satisfactory criminal record check including a vulnerable sector search, a child abuse register check and proof of education.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise and monitor the Shelter’s day-to-day activities and ensure that policies, security and safety are maintained.
• Assess and address the immediate and basic needs of the program’s youth.
• Provide support, crisis intervention and programming for youth.
• Dispense medication to youth following medication dispensing protocols.
• Provide a supportive environment that promotes youth empowerment.
• Fulfill significant cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
• Contribute to building maintenance to ensure a therapeutic milieu.
• Assist in training new staff, students and volunteers as required.
• Supervise field placement students and support the supervision of volunteers.
• Complete and maintain logs, files and records and ensure confidentiality is protected.
• Commit to the development of the Association and participate in internal committees, projects and activities.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma, or another relevant undergraduate degree.
• Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
• A minimum of two years’ experience working in a youth residential setting.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs and maintain a fairly active pace.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Non-violent crisis intervention (CPI), suicide intervention (ASIST), standard first aid or a commitment to secure these certifications within six months of being hired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
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 “Youth Worker PYS”. 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 Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 11.59am (AST).
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.
