Job Description

At Choices for Youth Inc. (CFY), we are deeply committed to supporting young people as they navigate their journey toward independence and stability. As a youth-focused organization, we create safe, welcoming spaces for open conversations and offer a range of programs designed to empower young people to secure stable housing, meaningful employment, and pursue educational opportunities. We strive to break cycles of poverty and homelessness, focusing on prevention, intervention, and ongoing support. Our mission is to help youth and young families build healthier, more stable lives, while fostering self-confidence and independence.

Through our

Employment, Education, and Social Enterprise (EESE)

program, we offer essential support to youth facing various challenges, including limited work experience, past involvement with the criminal justice system, and lack of access to education. We understand that meaningful employment plays a crucial role in in helping young people build stability and independence.

We are looking for

one (1)

enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our team as

full-time, Employment Support Worker - Support Leads

and work closely with youth, helping them build work readiness, set personal goals, and overcome challenges while gaining hands-on experience in our social enterprises.

This is a contractual position until March 31, 2026.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Are you ready to make a real impact?

As an ESW, you'll provide personalized one-on-one support, equipping each young person with the tools, encouragement, and guidance needed to thrive at our social enterprises: The Shop, Neighborhood, and Crust Craft Bakery.

In this role, you'll help youth navigate employment barriers such as housing instability, educational setbacks, and past trauma. Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approach you'll empower them to develop new skills, build confidence, and find purpose as they move forward in their journey.

This is a highly collaborative and rewarding role, where you'll work alongside a supportive team of business leads and training educators. Your efforts will directly contribute to helping youth make meaningful strides, take impactful steps toward greater stability and success, and ultimately create lasting positive change in their lives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Personalized Support

Conduct one-on-one assessments to understand the young person's employment readiness and identify immediate needs (e.g. ID cards, housing, transportation). Collaborate with youth to set achievable goals and create actionable plans for their success. Provide mentorship and on-site guidance as youth engage in social enterprise opportunities, ensuring safety, skills development, and confidence in the workplace.

Skill Building & Advocacy

Help youth develop key work skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management, to prepare them for the labor market. Advocate for youth using a social justice approach, connecting them with community employers, services, and programs to support their goals. Identify and address barriers like mental health, addiction, and past trauma, offering resources, options, and referrals.

Collaboration & Crisis Support

Work with the Training & Education team and business leads to assess youth performance and progress. Mediate crisis and conflict situations with empathy, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills.

Ongoing Support & Documentation

Connect youth with additional community resources, offering information and making referrals as needed. Maintain clear and confidential case notes in compliance with CFY and funder standards. Track and document program statistics to monitor youth progress and identify any emerging program needs.

Community Engagement

Represent CFY at recruitment fairs and community events, promoting employment and training opportunities. Provide transportation support by accompanying youth to appointments as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Undergraduate degree or diploma in social work, psychology, child and youth care, or a related human services field.

Experience

A minimum of one year working with vulnerable youth, with a strong understanding of complex mental health challenges, substance use, trauma, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with youth. Familiarity with career assessment tools, such as PRIME, and using database systems. Ability to work from a person-centered, housing-first, and harm reduction approach, while embracing feminist principles and using anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks. A strong understanding of professional boundaries and standards, with the ability to apply them thoughtfully and respectfully, while also recognizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality in all interactions.

Other Requirements

Use of own vehicle and a valid driver's license. Current Standard First Aid/CPR and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certifications (asset). Satisfactory Criminal Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Check.

WORK HOURS

The position is full-time at 35 hours per week, with some flexibility to adjust to the needs of the youth, program activities, and business needs.

Regular working hours are Tuesday to Saturday, from 12:00PM to 8:00PM.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is $50,958.18 - 56,620.20 annually. Choices for Youth offers a competitive compensation package, including a health and dental program, employer-matched RRSP and four weeks' vacation to qualifying employees.

Reference ID: ESW-1025

Application Deadline: November 5, 2025

Choices for Youth appreciates all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Choices for Youth (CFY) strives towards a culture of inclusion and empowerment, one where there's a sense of belonging and safety while prioritizing diversity across the organization, including in its Board of Directors composition, employment practices, staff, policies, programming, and services. CFY values lived and living experience and invites everyone interested to apply for available opportunities. CFY actively seeks applications from Indigenous Peoples; members of Black, racialized, and other equity-seeking and/or religious, cultural, and other communities; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; people with disabilities; and people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Should you require support or accommodation(s) to better enable your ability to participate in the employment or recruitment process, please let us know at any point. This information will be kept confidential.

To view all current job postings, please visit http://www.choicesforyouth.ca/join-cfy.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,958.18-$56,620.20 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Dental care Disability insurance Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off RRSP match Vision care Wellness program
Education:

DCS / DEC (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

ASIST Training (preferred) Standard First Aid/CPR (preferred) Drivers license and access to a vehicle (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-11-05