Youth Exploring Possibilities (YEP) – YEP Social and YEP Skills
LOCATION: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. We support individuals to live a fulfilling life which is fostered through preschool and early learning supports, respite services, residential services, community participation, and employment supports.

The successful candidate will be an energetic, person directed, highly motivated and organized. The goal of the position is to offer Youth with Developmental Disabilities ages 13-25 a group to build self-advocacy/independent skills and express creativity in a safe, fun environment. Sample duties include the following: organizing and implementing a monthly schedule aimed at engaging young people in community activities, providing a respectful and supportive atmosphere that promotes people’s skills and abilities, encourages exploration, and provides opportunities and education for growth and development. YEP staff will also develop, facilitate and evaluate curriculum geared towards youth learning and development.

YEP Social creates connections for youth across the community rather than limit their connections to just their immediate schools. YEP Skills involves educational courses offered through 6-week sessions, focusing on a variety of topics such as volunteerism, technology and finance, safety and abuse prevention, and more.

YEP Staff will foster self-confidence, independence, healthy living, environmental awareness, learning, leadership, and other skills that prove beneficial long into adulthood by navigating the Kitchener-Waterloo community using the GRT, increasing awareness of volunteer and work prospects available, understanding what is available within our community and how to access these resources, practicing skills in self-advocacy, self-reliance, and self-determination, interacting with other youth, develop friendships, and build relationships.

Perks

• Developmental Service Worker Apprenticeship Program Sponsor

• Paid on-the-job training

• Paid professional development opportunities

• Employee and Family Assistance Program for all staff, their partners, and dependents

• Discounted rates on home and auto insurance

• Fun and engaging workplace

Responsibilities

• Providing respectful and supportive personal care
• Providing lifts and transfers as necessary
• Promoting people’s skills and abilities
• Providing opportunities and education for growth and development
• Honouring personal choice and informed decision-making
• Implementing individualized routines that are patterned to reflect typical life experiences and which involve people to the highest degree possible

Requirements:

• Some Post-Secondary education in a related Human Services Field
• Commitment to providing person-directed support, foster independence, and advocating for others
• Able to demonstrate creative problem solving and decision making, initiative, resilience and collaboration
• Experience working/volunteering with youth who have a developmental disability preferred.
• First Aid and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training an asset
• A valid G or G2 driver’s license and basic computer skills

Core Competencies

• Advocacy

• Building Relationships

• Championing Change and Innovation

• Facilitating Growth and Development

• Inclusive Leadership

• Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Resilience

• Resource Management

• Strategic Thinking

• Valuing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Schedule**:** approx. 20 hours a month (primarily evenings and weekends)

Start Date: September 2025
Rate of Pay**:** $21.41 – 23.79 / hour

Applicants must submit a résumé and cover letter online with a summary of relevant qualifications and reason for interest in this position by Monday, July 14, 2025.

To Apply, Please Visit Our Job Application Page

Only successful applicants will be notified. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted.

Job ID: 257145

This job posting is for an existing vacancy. KW Habilitation is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates including, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Individuals, and members of Black and other racialized communities, and individuals for whom English is not their first language. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.