Youth Services Officer

Various

Social Services, Information Technology

POSTED: 3 months ago

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

15732

October 22, 2024

34.53

Youth Services Officer
Organization: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Division: Youth Justice
Division - Five (5) Direct Operated Secure Custody and Detention Youth Centres
City: Brampton, Sault Ste Marie, Simcoe, Sudbury, Thunder Bay
Language of Position(s): English Job Term: 93 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. Understanding the job ad - definitions
Posting Status: Open
Job ID: 217953

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

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

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.

In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position. Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you. A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.

Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
Employees working in congregate living settings may be required to provide proof they are fully vaccinated, meaning they are fully vaccinated as defined by the Ministry of Health (refer to: COVID-19 Fully Vaccinated Status in Ontario), including 14 calendar days have passed since receiving their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Employees who do not provide proof of full vaccination will be deemed 'not vaccinated' under the Employer's policy and may be required to attend a vaccine education program, as determined by the Employer. Employees who are not vaccinated under the policy with a valid medical exemption will not be required to attend a vaccine education program. All employees working in congregate living settings must undergo regular rapid antigen testing, regardless of vaccination status.