Youth Worker 1-4 (Wood Street) (3 Opportunities)

The Government of Nova Scotia•Truro, NS

4d•CA$1,947 - CA$3,147•Onsite

About The Position

Wood Street Campus is a specialized treatment and care setting for children in the care of the Minister of OSD. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provide a structured, relationship-based environment where children and youth can build safety, stability, and skills for success in the community. We are hiring compassionate, grounded, and creative Youth Workers with a genuine interest in supporting children and youth through day-to-day care, treatment programming, recreation, and community connection. As a Youth Worker, you will be part of an interdisciplinary team that provides assessment, treatment, programming, case management, and stabilization services. Your work will help create consistent, caring, and safe daily experiences for children and youth with complex needs.

Requirements

Completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Psychology, Counselling, Sociology, Criminology, Human Services, Community Studies, Education, Disability Studies, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Understanding of child and youth development, trauma-informed care and relationship-based practice, group care dynamics, and short-term stabilization.
Ability to balance structure, objective documentation and safety with an empathic and supportive approach with children and youth.
Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Strong communication, relationship-building, and conflict resolution skills.
Sound judgment and the ability to make timely decisions in dynamic or high-pressure situations.
Professional boundaries, discretion, and the ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
Strong written documentation and report-writing skills.
Comfortable using common workplace technology such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams or similar platforms.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel when required.

Nice To Haves

Direct work with children, youth, or families in a group care setting, treatment program, group care, child and family wellbeing, education, outreach, mental health, addiction, disability support, justice, or community-based settings.
Experience supporting individuals with complex behaviours, developmental trauma, mental health concerns, substance use, or disabilities.
Experience with case management systems, shift documentation, incident reporting, or related administrative systems.
Training or experience in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), suicide intervention, first aid/CPR, and mental health crisis response.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and therapeutic support to children and youth in a treatment setting.
Help create safe, structured, and supportive daily routines while responding appropriately to changing needs, including times of distress.
Build supportive, professional relationships with children and youth grounded in respect and trauma-informed practice.
Support the development and delivery of life skills, recreation, leisure, and therapeutic programming tailored to individual strengths and needs.
Contribute to individualized treatment plans, case planning, progress documentation, and day-to-day stabilization supports.
Support children and youth in classroom, on campus, and community settings, including appointments, outings, and transitions when required.
Use prevention, de-escalation, and intervention strategies to respond safely and in a therapeutic manner during periods of heightened stress, conflict, or crisis.
Work in a collaborative manner with colleagues, families, guardians, service providers, and community partners to support continuity of care for children residing at Wood Street Campus.
Maintain accurate, timely, and professional written records and contribute to team communication and case discussions.
Support orientation and transition planning for children, youth, and families receiving services from the team at Wood Street Campus.