Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Youth Advocate Worker (African Nova Scotian Community) with the Youth Advocate Program with Parks & Recreation.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

The Youth Advocate Worker (African Nova Scotian Community) supports an assigned caseload of African Nova Scotian youth and advocates for better outcomes for youth at risk of, or who are involved in, criminal or gang-related activity. The Youth Advocate Worker (African Nova Scotian Community) researches and connects youth to culturally responsive services and supports, and guides, coaches, mentors and assists youth and their families in overcoming their unique challenges and barriers. The Youth Advocate Worker (African Nova Scotian Community) must work from an Afrocentric Lens and remain progressive and solution-focused in the delivery of this program. The Youth Advocate Worker (African Nova Scotian Community) is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the African Nova Scotian community and culturally responsive service providers and will be an expert in advocating for the unique needs of African Nova Scotian youth in the criminal justice system.

More information on the Youth Advocate Program can be found by visiting: www.halifax.ca/yap

In the event that there are no qualified NSGEU 222 candidates, preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotian or of African descent. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Champions and implements the principles of the Youth Advocate Program’s community-based Wrap Around model and adapts approaches to be culturally responsive
• Led by youth and their family, develops action plans, assesses and interprets progress/lack of progress and adjusts action plans accordingly using an Afrocentric lens.
• Monitors, intervenes and documents daily performance of African Nova Scotian youth. Tracks and provides data on the progress of African Nova Scotian youth and their families.
• Contributes to policy and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives for the Municipality to improve programs and services for African Nova Scotian youth and families.
• Leads advocacy and case management efforts that prioritize services and supports that build resiliency, promote risk prevention/mitigation, and increase the protective factors, strategies, and supports.
• Applies extensive knowledge of youth-focused and culturally responsive community services and supports to connect youth and families with leisure opportunities, job readiness resources, and counselling and therapeutic supports.
• Identifies and builds relationships with culturally appropriate service providers to increase the success of African Nova Scotian youth in the program.
• Establishes strong links and positive relationships within the African Nova Scotian community and external groups, including organizations and government agencies.
• Identifies and acts on issues that may negatively impact or harm program youth.
• Ensures, through case conferencing and case management, that services and supports for each youth are coordinated and delivered most efficiently and effectively for the youth and their family.
• Participates in the intake, orientation & exit processes.
• Demonstrates leadership and professionalism while maintaining positive working relationships with youth & families, the public, internal & external key partners and with management.
• Advocates for improved service delivery, access to services and service modification with, and at times on behalf of, program youth.
• Manages risk and adheres to safety and crisis protocols and policies using an Afrocentric Lens.
• Provides short-term crisis support to African Nova Scotian youth across the Municipality.
• Works across Municipal business units to provide support to African Nova Scotian Communities.
• Identifies and implements progressive, culturally responsive, and high-quality programming strategies to enhance the perspective, self-view, and self-talk of African Nova Scotian participants that remove barriers to self-actualization.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates programs tailored to the needs and aspirations of African Nova Scotian youth, including leadership development, education, and skill-building initiatives
• Resolves conflict with African Nova Scotian youth and families and particularly helps youth navigate interpersonal, familial, or systemic conflicts in a way that promotes restorative outcomes and community cohesion.
• Works to advocate for African Nova Scotian youth within the justice system and navigates justice processes from a culturally responsive lens.
• Works independently while managing a caseload, creating treatment plan goals, completing documentation, conducting evaluations, scheduling meetings, participating in team projects, and liaising with service providers and key partners.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, counselling, recreation management, recreation therapy (CTRS) or other social science or health-related discipline.
• One year of work or volunteer experience in a social service environment working with at-risk African Nova Scotian youth and their families in historical African Nova Scotian Communities within HRM;
• Experience working with youth who have experienced trauma, particularly racial trauma, and utilizing trauma-informed approaches to foster safety, healing, and resilience.
• Experience leading anti-racism initiatives, social justice movements, or equity-focused projects that challenge systemic barriers and promote racial equity and inclusion.
• A Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle may be required.
• An equivalent combination of education and lived experience, particularly knowledge gained through personal or community connection to African Nova Scotian culture, traditions, and youth experiences, will be considered.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of African Nova Scotian history and communities, Afrocentricity, African/Black cultural ways of being, issues which remain critical to ensuring an inclusive and equitable opportunity for African Nova Scotian youth, and culturally responsive frameworks.
• Ability to provide an atmosphere of respect by applying the principles of Race Relations, Cross-Cultural Understandings, and Human Rights for Nova Scotian youth.
• Ability to monitor, assess, evaluate, and report on the progress of African Nova Scotian youth and families.
• Ability to monitor, assess, evaluate, and report on the progress of African Nova Scotian/Black participants and to develop and evaluate the effectiveness and delivery and implementation of an Action Plan for African Nova Scotian youth.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of the Wrap Around model and understanding of restorative practices as applicable to African Nova Scotian youth and families.
• Experience working with African Nova Scotian youth aged 10 – 15 who are criminally involved, at risk of becoming criminally involved, or who are susceptible to associated risk factors. Knowledge of the impact that race plays in navigating the criminal justice system in Nova Scotia.
• Thorough knowledge of working in an African Nova Scotian community setting with families living in unsafe or high-risk situations
• Ability and skills related to advocacy, building cooperation, networking, achieving consensus, solution-oriented problem solving and decision making.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with completing Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCA).
• Knowledge of culturally responsive resources, supports, organizations and opportunities across HRM available to African Nova Scotian youth and their families.
• Knowledge of the youth criminal justice system, child welfare systems, municipal recreation, health care and education systems and how these systems function for the African Nova Scotian community
• Working knowledge of computer applications and related software (ie: Microsoft Word & Excel)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

**COMPENTENCIES:**Valuing Diversity, Decision Making, Communications, Conflict Management, Networking/Relationship Building, Risk Management, Teamwork & Cooperation, Value & Ethics

**SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:**Annual Criminal Record check with Vulnerable Sector Search, Annual Child Abuse Registry Check. This position will have access to and/or knowledge of confidential information; therefore, the incumbent will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Driver’s Abstract may be required.

**WORK STATUS:**Permanent, full-time

**HOURS OF WORK:**Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 35 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

SALARY:$37.22 per hour; Level 7 as per the collective agreement between NSGEU Local 222 and HRM.

**WORK LOCATION:**Cole Harbour Place (In the recreation offices). Work location may be changed according to operational requirements.

CLOSING DATE:Applications will be received up to11:59 pmonSunday, March 29th, 2026.

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unitcandidates.

**Please note:**We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.To ensure a fair & equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews, independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax.

(position #78604515)