Casual Youth Worker, CSS/Sanctuary
Top Benefits
About the role
The Impact the Youth Worker, in Community Support Services/Sanctuary programs can make:
Your primary role as a Youth Worker is to build trusting, supportive, professional relationships with youth. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best plan of care to help youth reach their goals and transition to healthy, confident adults. You will provide services from an attachment-based, harm reduction, culturally relevant, trauma-informed model of care. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationships with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and substance use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care connects with youth where they are at because we feel it should be "one size fits one" when it comes to supporting young people.
You will work in both the Community Support Services (CSS) drop-in program, as well as the Sanctuary residential program (for youth with significant mental health and substance use concerns). You will provide an array of ‘as-needed’ services to young people. You will support the youth with personal planning and life skills, assist with referrals to other social services and support with daily tasks. The Complex Support Services department requires an experienced Youth Worker, one that is able to work confidently with less structure and navigate multifaceted health, behavioral and substance use concerns.
How you will contribute:
- Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, and transportation
- Initiate, develop and maintain professional relationships with youth 16-24 years of age
- Assist youth with accessing external community supports and accompany them (if needed)
- Respond confidently to emergencies or potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice
- Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, and complete program intake
- Work with youth to address their individual needs and goals
- Center the principles of Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Practice
- Supporting youth with addictions and mental health challenges and referring to specialist agencies and/or allied professionals where needed
- Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required
- Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills
- Attend all training as directed
- Maintain youth rooms including: set up, light cleaning, safety checks, etc.
- Provide Outreach support as required to assist youth to connect with Covenant House
- Laundry as needed
- Front Desk and reception duties as required
- Other duties as required
Compensation:
The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $25.35 and $31.69 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $38.03.
Who are we looking for?
Education and Experience:
- Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or
- Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role
- Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention will be considered an asset.
Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness
- Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal.
- Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents
- Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information
- Familiarity with issued related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices
- Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
- Basic computer skills
- Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
Schedule: Overnights, weekends, days & evenings (This is an overnight awake shift)
Department: Community Support Services & Sanctuary Program
Programs - Breaks: Please note: breaks are paid and on-site
Contract Details: Please note: that availability between December 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026 will be required for this role.
About Covenant House International
No youth should ever be without a home — period. This urgent belief and over 50 years of experience have placed Covenant House at the forefront of the fight against youth homelessness. Founded in 1972, Covenant House is the largest primarily privately-funded agency in the North and Central America offering free 24/7 crisis care, housing, and supportive services for youth, young families, and survivors of human trafficking. Located in 34 cities across 5 countries (the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico) Covenant House provides shelter, food, medical and mental health care, crisis intervention, educational and vocational services, and an array of supportive services to youth facing homelessness regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The Covenant House mission is centered and built on community, where youth, staff, volunteers, and partners love one another unconditionally, respect each other absolutely, and dedicate ourselves to a covenant of compassion and hope.
Casual Youth Worker, CSS/Sanctuary
Top Benefits
About the role
The Impact the Youth Worker, in Community Support Services/Sanctuary programs can make:
Your primary role as a Youth Worker is to build trusting, supportive, professional relationships with youth. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best plan of care to help youth reach their goals and transition to healthy, confident adults. You will provide services from an attachment-based, harm reduction, culturally relevant, trauma-informed model of care. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationships with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and substance use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care connects with youth where they are at because we feel it should be "one size fits one" when it comes to supporting young people.
You will work in both the Community Support Services (CSS) drop-in program, as well as the Sanctuary residential program (for youth with significant mental health and substance use concerns). You will provide an array of ‘as-needed’ services to young people. You will support the youth with personal planning and life skills, assist with referrals to other social services and support with daily tasks. The Complex Support Services department requires an experienced Youth Worker, one that is able to work confidently with less structure and navigate multifaceted health, behavioral and substance use concerns.
How you will contribute:
- Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, and transportation
- Initiate, develop and maintain professional relationships with youth 16-24 years of age
- Assist youth with accessing external community supports and accompany them (if needed)
- Respond confidently to emergencies or potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice
- Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, and complete program intake
- Work with youth to address their individual needs and goals
- Center the principles of Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Practice
- Supporting youth with addictions and mental health challenges and referring to specialist agencies and/or allied professionals where needed
- Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required
- Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills
- Attend all training as directed
- Maintain youth rooms including: set up, light cleaning, safety checks, etc.
- Provide Outreach support as required to assist youth to connect with Covenant House
- Laundry as needed
- Front Desk and reception duties as required
- Other duties as required
Compensation:
The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $25.35 and $31.69 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $38.03.
Who are we looking for?
Education and Experience:
- Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or
- Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role
- Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention will be considered an asset.
Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness
- Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal.
- Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents
- Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information
- Familiarity with issued related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices
- Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
- Basic computer skills
- Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
Schedule: Overnights, weekends, days & evenings (This is an overnight awake shift)
Department: Community Support Services & Sanctuary Program
Programs - Breaks: Please note: breaks are paid and on-site
Contract Details: Please note: that availability between December 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026 will be required for this role.
About Covenant House International
No youth should ever be without a home — period. This urgent belief and over 50 years of experience have placed Covenant House at the forefront of the fight against youth homelessness. Founded in 1972, Covenant House is the largest primarily privately-funded agency in the North and Central America offering free 24/7 crisis care, housing, and supportive services for youth, young families, and survivors of human trafficking. Located in 34 cities across 5 countries (the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico) Covenant House provides shelter, food, medical and mental health care, crisis intervention, educational and vocational services, and an array of supportive services to youth facing homelessness regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The Covenant House mission is centered and built on community, where youth, staff, volunteers, and partners love one another unconditionally, respect each other absolutely, and dedicate ourselves to a covenant of compassion and hope.