Youth Worker, Phoenix Youth Shelter

TERM PERIOD: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - JANUARY 31, 2028
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 (prorated for the duration of the term), comprehensive cost-split group medical insurance plan covering health and dental, Employee and Family Assistance Program, 3% employer paid 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 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…