Location: 2269 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS
Program: Anchor Youth Space North End Halifax
Position Status: Full-time
Compensation: $70,000-$80,000
There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in
us to shine.
Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity exists to help solve
many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health
issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+
program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our
communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an
increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead,
helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming
for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.
We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner
strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support,
they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support,
expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape
our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.
With us at their side, they can Shine On.
As part of your total compensation:
• Complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your
own home
• Three (3) weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services
About the role:
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a service model that offers low barrier
access to community-led services for youth aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers.
IYS provides early intervention, prevention, and care regarding mental health
and addictions, as well as coordinated access to other services.
Each IYS site provides rapid access to high quality,
youth-appropriate, evidence-informed supports and services. Youth can access
services in person, by telephone, or through a virtual platform. The overall
goal of Integrated Youth Services is to transform how young people access
mental health care and services.
The following are important principles that guide the Anchor
Youth Space model:
• Youth and caregiver participation in the design, implementation, and
evaluation of services.
• The co-location and integration of services, including mental health and
addictions care, primary health care, community and peer support, and social
services.
• Continuity of services from age 12 to age 25, including supporting youths’
transition to adult services.
• Services that are culturally responsive, accessible, high quality,
youth-centred, and evidence-informed.
• Stepped care to ensure the appropriate levels of care, at the right time, by
the right provider.
• Ongoing collaboration among all Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia sites and the
Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia Provincial Leadership Team.
• Ongoing, robust measurement of service impact and continuous quality
improvement.
In this role, you will:
Reporting to the site manager and working under the leadership of the
clinician, the community outreach worker provides outreach, intake and
screening, case management, service navigation, support, and advocacy for
youth, ages 12 to 25, who are experiencing challenges related to mental health
and substance use. The community outreach worker employs a relational,
trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice. Working with youth,
caregivers, members of the Anchor Youth Space team, and others, the community
outreach worker leads the collaborative development of youth goals and care
plans supporting youth to meet their individualized goals. The community
outreach worker actively collaborates with Anchor Youth Space site team members
and multi-sector partners to develop an integrated, youth-centred system of
care and supports.
The community outreach worker demonstrates professionalism, adheres to
standards of their professional practice, and champions the principles of
Integrated Youth Services.
- Embrace
a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian
Guiding Principles of IYS, social determinants of health, and principles
of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and
anti-racism (EDIRAA).
- Act
professionally and ethically, following all organizational and Anchor
Youth Space guidelines, applicable legislation, regulations, and
professional standards.
- Under
the clinical leadership of the site clinician, the community outreach
worker provides the following services to youth ages 12 to 25 who present
at the Anchor Youth Space site for services:
a. Conduct intake and screening related to mental health, substance use
and other challenges; form a supportive rapport; collaboratively develop a
care plan.
b. Triage youth presenting with mental health and addiction needs and
facilitate access to appropriate services, including urgent and emergency
care.
c. Provide information on services available within and beyond the Anchor
Youth Space site; successfully connect youth and their caregivers with
services; monitor and support their progress; advocate for service access
as needed.
d. Provide collaborative case management for assigned youth, working
closely with site team members and others to integrate service delivery
and provide youth with seamless care.
e. Facilitate the coordinated transfer of young people to adult services.
f. Support youth to be actively engaged in their care plans and treatment.
g. Maintain timely and accurate client records to enable team
communication and coordinated care.
- Lead
the collaborative development and implementation of a site youth outreach
plan, to proactively engage with youth who may benefit from Anchor Youth
Space site services but aren’t accessing mental health or substance use
supports. Use innovative and creative ways to develop a rapport and
introduce young people to supports and services provided at Anchor Youth
Space.
- In
collaboration with the site manager, promote Anchor Youth Space and
Integrated Youth Services in the catchment area.
- Maintain
up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and protocols, and
best practices relevant to integrated youth services.
- Ensure
documentation and data is entered into the Anchor Youth Space Nova
platform and use the data to guide care; assist youth in entering data as
required.
- Take
part in Anchor Youth Space planning, development and team building.
- Take
part in Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia training, professional development,
research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Assist
with the reception, welcome, and drop-in functions of the Anchor Youth
Space site as needed.
- Other
duties as required.
Education and skills qualifications:
- Bachelors
or Masters degree in a relevant health or social care discipline (ex.
registered nurse, occupational therapist, social work, registered
counselling therapist) required.
- Registered
and in good standing, or eligible for registration, with relevant
professional body required.
- Minimum
of two (2) years of experience required. Three (3) to five (5) years
preferred, in one or more of the following areas: intake and assessment,
mental health care, addictions services, youth services.
- ASIST,
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, First Aid and CPR certification, and
Naloxone Training within the last 12 months or willingness to obtain
within 3 months of employment.
- Well-developed
knowledge and skills in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion,
reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
- Demonstrated
knowledge and skills to serve youth and families from diverse cultural
backgrounds, including African Nova Scotian, Newcomer, and Indigenous
populations required.
- Demonstrated
knowledge of, and commitment to, trauma-informed and person-centred care
required.
- Demonstrated
ability to develop and maintain strong therapeutic relationships with
youth and caregivers.
- A
high degree of proficiency in screening and intake assessment, including
suicide risk assessment, preferred.
- Demonstrated
ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team required; previous
experience working in an integrated service delivery model, preferred.
- Demonstrated
strong verbal and written communication skills required.
- Demonstrated
good judgment and high levels of interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy
required.
- Demonstrated
ability to take initiative, and to work both independently and
collaboratively, required.
- Demonstrated
ability to prioritize workload, be flexible in response to changing
demands, and ensure effective organization and time management required.
- Demonstrated
ability to maintain timely and accurate electronic client records
required.
- Proficient
in MS Office computer applications and file management, and email
programs.
- Ability
to provide services in person, by telephone, and virtually required.
- Competencies
in other languages is an asset.
To apply:
Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/
by June 19, 2026.
Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:
• A Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Register
Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• Valid First Aid and CPR Training
Please note that background checks are reviewed on an
individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding
requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.
At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable
workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to
bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of
perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us
to better serve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity
employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds,
including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+
individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of
ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to
apply.
If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in
advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
