Location: Ottawa, Ontario 

Reports to: Coordinator, Step Up Step Down

Employment Status: Casual Part Time 

Bargaining Unit Status: Included (Youth Worker)

Hourly Wage: $29.73 - $37.31

Language requirements: English is essential; French is an asset

Bona Fide occupational requirement (BFOR): N/A 

Schedule: Casual, rotational. Based on program’s needs. Minimum availability - 8 shifts per month. 

Reference Number: 26-056

Closing Date: July 10th, 2026

Vacancy: Yes

Posting Stage: Internal/external

About us:

Founded in 1960, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) is one of the largest and most comprehensive non-profit agencies in Ottawa and a registered charity. It provides mental health services, employment programs, emergency shelter, community, health and housing services, and justice programs to youth in the Ottawa area, serving between 2,500 and 3,000 at‑risk individuals aged 12+ and their families every month. YSB employs 400 caring professionals in a unionized environment in over 21 locations across Ottawa.

Under the general direction of the Director of Mental Health Services and immediate supervision of the Coordinator of Step up Step Down Residential Crisis services, the Youth Worker is responsible to provide direct services to clients in accordance with policies and directives established within the YSB. 

What you will do:

• Provide unit coverage on a rotational shift basis ensuring the safety and security of staff, clients and physical plant.
• Participate in inter-disciplinary meetings for the purpose of identifying clients’ needs, progress and discharge planning
• Provide milieu based interventions as established by the Step Up Step Down inter-disciplinary team to support clients and families in the achievement of established goals
• Provide support and crisis intervention to clients accessing YSB’s 24/7 telephone and online chat support services during designated periods; provide support to YSB’s Mobile Crisis team when needed
• Ensure that documentation is maintained according to unit policy and procedures including client files and admission forms, plans of care (including goals/action), daily logs and summary reports.
• Comply with all mandating legislative requirements, Agency policies and procedures.
• Safeguard client confidentiality, rights and responsibilities.
• Support the stabilization of clients accessing the program and coordinate with other YSB services as appropriate.
• Advocate for clients and facilitate access to community resources and services.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner. Maintain positive working relationships with the community, other services providers, and collaterals. 
• Participate in training to ensure ongoing development of skills and abilities, including YSB required training
• Attend and participate in supervision
• Participate in on-going supervision of part-time/students 
• Follow safe work practices as established by the Bureau and the program

This opportunity may be right for you if you have:

• Diploma in child and youth work or related field; or degree in the social sciences or related field
• Two years of experience providing support to clients experiencing mental health challenges
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience working in a residential setting
• Experience working directly with vulnerable youth considered an asset
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills
• Valid Drivers License 
• Proven written & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Must be able to work rotational shift work and be available weekdays, nights and weekends
• ASIST or other recognized crisis or suicide intervention training considered an asset
• Must be able to physically restrain clients when necessary
• English is essential, French is an asset

Additional Qualifications: 

• Successful applicants will be required to provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check or Broad Police check obtained within the past six (6) months, as a condition of employment with YSB.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide YSB with satisfactory Pre-employment medical testing including up-to-date immunizations and TB test 

What we offer:

• An opportunity to join a vibrant team and be part of truly meaningful and rewarding work; 
• 100% YSB-paid group health benefits for eligible employees; 
• Optional pension plan from Day 1;
• Overnight premium of $0.50 per hour for eligible staff working between the hours of 11:00pm-7:00am;
• Holiday pay, as determined by YSB polices and the Collective Agreement in place
• A team where you get to be yourself everyday and where you have the freedom to innovate;

Additional compensation: (this should be adjusted to each role):

• This position may qualify for overtime at 1.5 rate after 40 hours worked per week, as determined by YSB polices and the Collective Agreement in place;
• This position may qualify for on call compensation, as determined by YSB polices and the Collective Agreement in place;
• This position may qualify for emergency shift compensation at 1.5 rate, as determined by YSB polices and the Collective Agreement in place.

Please be advised that the number of overtime, on-call and emergency shift hours are not guaranteed, varies by position and is determined based on each program’s operational needs, YSB policies and Collective Agreement in place. 

Disclaimer:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Join us!

If you think this vacancy is a good fit, we would love to hear from you. Please visit the career section of our website [https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=33d7f5f9-292b-4299-aad7-89574902056e&ccId=26010399_576&type=MP&lang=en_CA] to submit your resume and one-page cover letter. Don’t just tell us what we want to hear, tell us your story and why you would make a great addition to our team.

We know applying to a job takes time and thank all candidates for their interest. While we are not able to get back to every candidate, we will ensure shortlisted applicants are aware of their status and will do our best to provide feedback if that can be helpful. Please be advised that although ADP has embedded AI functions YSB does not use this AI function to make hiring decisions. All recruitment decisions including the screening of applications are made by our hiring team, who review each application with care and consideration. We value the individuality and potential of each applicant and strive to create an inclusive hiring experience. If you have any questions about our recruitment practices, we encourage you to reach out to our Talent Acquisition Coordinator.

 At YSB, we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ community and/or people with intersectional identities. Accommodation will be made available for applicants with a disability throughout the hiring process, kindly make your needs known in advance. 

 All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. In the event a qualified candidate is not found, candidates that do not meet the qualifications indicated on the posting may be considered. Qualified candidates may be contacted at any time throughout the application window, upon the closing date.