Division: Youth Justice Division – Five (5) Direct Operated Secure Custody and Detention Youth Centres
Job Term: 98 Temporary with possible extension subject to satisfactory job performance and operational needs of the facility
Job Code: 50577 – Youth Worker
Salary: $34.53 – $43.66 Per Hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.
Posting Closes: February 17, 2025 11:59 pm EST
Make a difference every day in the lives of youth in conflict with the law
Do you have a desire to work with young persons in conflict with the law? If you would enjoy working with a diverse and challenging client group, where you can make a difference every day, then consider a career as a Youth Services Officer.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Youth Justice Division, is seeking dedicated professionals to join their multi-disciplinary team(s) as a Youth Services Officer providing primary/direct services to youth within a secure detention/custody setting.
The Youth Services Officer position will provide you with an opportunity to work with an employer that promotes diversity while you support and deliver programs and services to youth in the Ministry’s care. The goals are to keep youth active and engaged, focusing on specific risks and needs of youth related to reoffending, teaching new skills, keeping youth safe, resolving conflict, and employing intervention techniques and strategies to model pro-social behaviours and help youth make better choices upon their return to the community.
We are looking for compassionate people who will bring awareness, sensitivity, and mindfulness towards diversity and understand the challenges and barriers that youth from marginalized groups may face.
The five (5) available Youth Centres for this posting are:
- Cecil Facer Youth Centre – Sudbury
- Donald Doucet Youth Centre – Sault Ste. Marie
- Justice Ronald Lester Youth Centre – Thunder Bay
- Roy McMurtry Youth Centre – Brampton
- Sprucedale Youth Centre – Simcoe
What can I expect to do in this role?
As part of a dedicated team of multidisciplinary professionals in one of Ontario’s five youth centres, every day will be an opportunity to work with a diverse and challenging client group where you will:
- Supervise youth on an assigned rotating shift in a secure custody/detention facility setting that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, the youth centre and community
- Provide community escort duties to ensure the safety of youth, staff, visitors and the public
- Support and deliver structured rehabilitative programs and reintegration services
- Use relationship custody and cognitive learning behavioural approaches to foster respectful, caring relationships and create a learning space for life and pro-social skills
How do I qualify?
Mandatory
You have either:
- Completed post-secondary education from a college/university of recognized standing in a related field with emphasis in behaviour management, adolescent development, and knowledge of family group dynamics, plus one year of recent relevant work experience
OR - A recognized secondary school diploma with supplementary courses in human behaviour, plus three years of recent relevant work experience
You have valid Emergency First Aid, CPR (level C) and AED Certification, or can become certified before being hired.
Knowledge
You have proven knowledge of:
- Sociological issues impacting on youth and youth/adolescent development theories
- Case management and group work principles and techniques
- Gender responsive therapeutic programming and treatment approaches
- Mental health and behavioural disorders, including symptoms and causes of deviant behaviour
- Cognitive behavioural intervention philosophy and techniques
- Youth justice related legislation such as the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, and Human Rights Code
Skills
- You can demonstrate respect and sensitivity to the diverse social, cultural, linguistic, developmental, and interpersonal needs of youth
- You have written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills
- You have interviewing, mentorship, coaching and counselling skills.
- You can build positive relationships with youth.
- You have facilitation and team-building skills.
- You have analytical, interpretive, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- You can use business software and operational systems.
Hours of Work
- The hours of work are up to 40 hours per week (pre-scheduled and on-call). You are expected to work rotating shifts within a secure custody/detention facility setting that functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What we offer
We are a supportive and compassionate community who are proud about our transformative role in helping youth. You will join a flexible, supportive working environment where you complete meaningful, challenging, and impactful work every day.
Note: The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services will provide compensation to YSO candidates attending the 6-week mandatory pre-employment YSO Basic Training with a weekly stipend of $800.00 for a total of $4800.00.
In addition to your base salary, as a fixed-term employee your total compensation package will include:
- Optional enrolment in a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
- An Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential assistance through the challenges of life
- Inclusive Counselling Services, which provides confidential mental health support from professionals belonging to diverse communities
- 5% gross pay in lieu of statutory holidays
- 4% gross pay in lieu of vacation
- 6% pay in lieu of insured benefits upon completion of 1-month continuous service
- Accrual of attendance credits at the rate of 1.25 days/month of full attendance.
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario’s largest employers. Employees work for 30 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
- A career that can grow across ministries and job functions
- Flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
- Many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
***Preparing your Application for a Youth Services Officer Position***
For the purposes of this posting, we do not accept resumes and cover letters. To apply, please fill out the YSO Application form. To access the form please follow the link below:
After completing the application, please submit the form using ONE of the following methods:
By email at:YSORecruitment@ontario.ca
By mail to:
Youth Services Officer Recruitment
Youth Justice Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
6711 Mississauga Road, Suite 700
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2W3
We encourage applications to be submitted via email. If you do not have access to email, your application can be sent by mail.
This is a continuous posting. The screening and selection processes are ongoing. This posting will be made available until the position has been filled. Please only submit your application ONCE.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
For more information, please visit www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Youth Services Officer.