Youth Services Officer

About the job

As part of a dedicated team of multidisciplinary professionals in one of Ontario's five youth centres, every day will be an opportunity to work with a diverse and challenging client group where you will:

• Supervise youth on an assigned rotating shift in a secure custody/detention facility setting that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, the youth centre and community
• Provide community escort duties to ensure the safety of youth, staff, visitors and the public
• Support and deliver structured rehabilitative programs and reintegration services
• Use relationship custody and cognitive learning behavioural approaches to foster respectful, caring relationships and create a learning space for life and pro-social skills What you bring to the team Mandatory requirements

You have either:

completed post-secondary education from a college/university of recognized standing in a related field with emphasis in behaviour management, adolescent development, and knowledge of family group dynamics, plus one year of recent relevant work experience

OR a recognized secondary school diploma with supplementary courses in human behaviour, plus three years of recent relevant work experience

You have valid Emergency First Aid, CPR (level C) and AED Certification, or can become certified before being hired.

Knowledge

You have proven knowledge of:

sociological issues impacting on youth and youth/adolescent development theories case management and group work principles and techniques gender responsive therapeutic programming and treatment approaches mental health and behavioural disorders, including symptoms and causes of deviant behaviour cognitive behavioural intervention philosophy and techniques youth justice related legislation such as the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, and Human Rights Code

Skills

• You can demonstrate respect and sensitivity to the diverse social, cultural, linguistic, developmental, and interpersonal needs of youth
• You can display confidence in an enforcement role, consistently applying effective behavior management principles in your day-to-day work.
• You can communicate clearly verbally, non-verbally, and in writing, and can produce detailed, accurate reports to document incidents and support case management.
• You can stay calm and flexible in fast-paced, high-pressure situations, handling challenges with confidence.
• You can support youth with complex needs and behaviors using empathy, resilience, and individually tailored strategies.
• You can de-escalate conflicts effectively and maintain respectful, professional relationships with youth and peers.
• You can apply both non-physical and physical intervention techniques safely and in line with training and legal standards to support the safe and effective behavioural management of youth.
• You have written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills
• You have interviewing, mentorship, coaching and counselling skills.
• You can build positive relationships with youth.
• You have facilitation and team-building skills.
• You have analytical, interpretive, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• You can use business software and operational systems.

Hours of Work

• The hours of work are up to 40 hours per week (pre-scheduled and on-call). You are expected to work rotating shifts within a secure custody/detention facility setting that functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

***Preparing your Application for a Youth Services Officer Position***

For the purposes of this posting, we do not accept resumes and cover letters. To apply, please fill out the YSO Application form. To access the form please follow the link below:

Application Link

After completing the application, please submit the form using ONE of the following methods:

By email at:

YSORecruitment@ontario.ca

By mail to:

Youth Services Officer Recruitment

Youth Justice Division

• Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
• 6711 Mississauga Road, Suite 700

Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2W3

We encourage applications to be submitted via email. If you do not have access to email, your application can be sent by mail.

This is a continuous posting. The screening and selection processes are ongoing. This posting will be made available until the position has been filled. Please only submit your application ONCE.

Incomplete applications will be rejected. If you have applied for a Youth Services Officer position within the last 6 months, there is no need to re-apply. Please disregard the instructions in the “