SALARY:

$34.53 - $43.66 Per hour*

• Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Make a difference every day in the lives of youth in conflict with the law
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.

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.

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
OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:
We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Refer to the “How to apply” section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
Preparing your Application for a Youth Services Officer Position
For the purposes of this posting, we do not accept resumes and cover letters. To apply, please fill out the YSO Application form. To access the form please follow the link below:
Application Link
After completing the application, please submit the form using ONE of the following methods:

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the “position(s) language” section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you’ll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Please refer the Job description for details