Child and Youth Worker

Kinark Child and Family Services has a rich 50-year history serving children and youth through a wide range of evidence-based mental health services that include individual, family, and group counselling. We are on a mission to help children and youth with complex needs achieve better life outcomes with a broader vision of a healthy future for Ontario’s children and youth. We have a passionate team of over 700 staff serving close to 9,000 children and youth each year in our three program streams - Community-based Child and Youth Mental Health, Autism, and Forensic Mental Health.

Our people are the heartbeat of our organization where ‘Holding children, youth, and families at the centre of all that we do’ is only one of the values that guides our work.

In support of our journey towards being an employer of choice in our sectors, our staff is engaged for feedback to identify and support improvements, big and small, to enhance the employee experience.

If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and youth with complex needs and want to be part of the mission we are on… Come join our team!

For more information about Kinark, our values, our strategic priorities, and our service programs, please visit our website at

• Competitive salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits, and other employment perks *
• Flexible work arrangement supporting employee work life balance
• Employer Matching Defined Contribution Pension Plan up to 6% *
• Employee Wellness Program
• Extensive Educational and Training Opportunities and Supports
• Supportive work environment with regular Supervision and Feedback
• Renowned Accredited Clinical Programs

* Dependent on hours worked, length of service and/or collective agreement (where relevant)

Position Title

Child and Youth Worker

Program Lists

Kinark Child & Family Services ->
Syl Apps Youth Centre

Location

Reg/Temp

Regular

Start Date

April 13, 2026

Temporary End Date

Full/Part Time

Relief

Yes

Other Employee Classification (if applicable)

Total # of hours per week

.01

# of Positions

15

Close Date

January 5, 2026

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Youth Worker to join our team within an Accredited Children’s Mental Health Facility. As a member of the interdisciplinary team the responsibilities will include: interacting with acute mental health youth through the implementation of their treatment plans.

The Youth Worker will be responsible for engaging youth in the residential programs and activities including daily routines, recreation, education, clinical and medical interventions. In addition, the Youth Worker may be required to drive and/or escort youth to court and other appointments.

This position is covered by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 213 group. Internal applicants will be considered first.

Hourly pay scale:
Level 1: $29.71;
Level 2: $31.18;
Level 3: $32.74

• Graduate of diploma programs in Child and Youth Worker, Community Corrections, Recreation and Leisure, Social Service Worker or Behavioral Sciences. **
• 3 years experience in related field is preferred where you have engaged with a high risk adolescent population presenting criminogenic, cognitive impairment and/or mental health challenges within a youth justice/mental health residential treatment setting.
• In lieu of the above noted educational requirements, we will also consider applicants who have a minimum of 7 years’ experience working with a high risk adolescent population. This experience can be inclusive of criminogenic, cognitive impairment and/or mental health challenges within a youth justice/mental health treatment setting.
• Knowledge and working experience with Evidence Based Practices and Dialectical Behavior Therapy is preferred.
• Valid Ontario driver’s license will be considered an asset.

** Please note that Equivalent combination of education & experience will be considered.

Kinark Child and Family Services conditions of employment include but are not limited to successful Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening or Criminal Broad Record Check, based on position, and completed Pre-Employment…