Youth Services Officer

at  Ministry of Children Community and Social Services

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.

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.

KNOWLEDGE

• You have knowledge of various sociological issues impacting on youth.
• You have knowledge of case management and group work principles and techniques and gender responsive therapeutic programming, and treatment approaches.
• You have knowledge of mental health and behavioural disorders, abnormal and deviant psychology, symptoms and causes of deviant behaviour, and cognitive behavioural intervention-philosophy and techniques, as well as, knowledge and understanding of youth/adolescent development.
• You have knowledge of a variety of youth justice-related legislation (i.e. Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Human Rights Code).

SKILLS

• You have advanced communication skills – written, verbal and non-verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• You have good interviewing, mentorship, coaching and counselling skills.
• You are able to build positive relationships with youth.
• You have facilitation and team-building skills.
• You have analytical, interpretive, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• You have computer skills to operate various business software and operational systems.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO DO IN THIS ROLE?

• Perform a full range of duties related to the supervision and case management of youth on an assigned rotating shift, utilizing a relationship custody/cognitive learning behavioural approach within a secure custody/detention facility setting that functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Identify and participate in the provision of appropriate structured rehabilitative programs and services for a diverse population of youth;
• Ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, youth centre and community.