Job Description

Youth Worker, Studio
LOCATION: Downtown Toronto, ON
POSITION TYPE: Regular Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
POSTING CLOSING DATE: January 30, 2026
SALARY RANGE: $50,301 to $55,713
Lumenus Community Services is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We value a recruitment and selection process that is inclusive and barrier-free and we encourage applications from all individuals including, but not limited to, all cultures, religions, racialized communities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions.
Lumenus is looking for a dynamic Youth Worker to join our Counselling and Community Services Team in The Studio. The Studio, under the Central Toronto Youth Wellness Hub, is a 2SLGBTQ+ positive drop-in created by and for young people ages 10 to 25. Youth can come hang out, play video games, watch movies and socialize, and check out (and even run) some workshops or youth-led groups. At The Studio, youth and staff work together to create fun and interesting activities and workshops - art making, dance, gender expression/drag performance, sexual health workshops, discussion groups, field trips, and more. The Studio staff also provide one-on-one support in housing, physical & mental health, education, employment, and legal matters. The Studio celebrates the diverse experiences of youth and strives to create a community where all youth can get engaged in building allyship. Youth who come to The Studio have real decision-making power and are invited to help create the space, and build community in collaboration with Studio staff.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and promote an open, safe space which prioritizes the needs of BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ youth or q
• Work with all youth who come to The Studio to become allies
• Support youth who have experiences living with mental health challenges
• Address homophobic, transphobic, racist, and/or oppressive language/behaviour issues proactively through established relationships with a focus on education
• Work in partnership with youth participants to develop workshops, discussions, field trips and special events, ensure these are successfully implemented and that youth develop the skills to be active partners in all aspects of programming
• Facilitate of activities and workshops and coordinate external facilitators
• Mentor youth, provide informal confidential support and referrals to appropriate services
• Support youth to develop skills in managing peer and adult relationships, health, sexuality, and substance use from a harm reduction framework
• Support with documentation and data entry to ensure the success of The Studio
• Maintain records, documentation and data base(s), collecting participant and evaluation data to ensure the success of The Studio programs
• Align work and behaviour with agency mission, with an emphasis on ongoing learning
• Perform other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Ability to demonstrate and work through a lens of sensitivity to diversity related to race, religion, culture, cognitive functioning, poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity, etc.
• Sound knowledge of anti-oppressive practices and ability to implement them in work with children, youth and families
• Experience and comfort in working with youth with behavioural, mental health and lived experience of substance use
• Exceptional interpersonal skills in order to effectively build relations with diverse youth and liaise with a variety of agency staff, external professionals and individuals
• Ability to multi-task and engage youth in all aspects of The Studio
• Enthusiastic and dynamic with a strong drive to provide high quality services
• Experience with youth engagement and harm reduction practices is an asset
• Knowledge and skill in the areas of crisis intervention (CPI) is an asset
• Experience with youth leadership and mentoring programs such as youth lead community organizing, peer mentoring and/or volunteering is an asset
• Knowledge of community and agency programs for transitional age youth and adults
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, exercising professional judgement in conflictual and stressful situations.
• Sound writing skills with a strong record in completing documentation to agency expectations
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Proficiency with computer skills, including Microsoft Office, client data-base (CYSIS) and social media literacy
• Participation in quality assurance, evaluation and research activities, as required
• Ability to identify learning needs and seek consultation and support through supervision
• Work collaboratively with multiple teams within the agency to support the needs of youth including the counselling, day treatment, live-in treatment, etc.

QUALIFICIATIONS:

• Child & Youth Worker diploma, Social Service Worker diploma or a degree/diploma in a related field or equivalent experience of at least 2 years
• Sound knowledge of adolescent development and demonstrated experience working with youth from diverse ethno-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds including street-involved youth and youth from equity deserving communities
• Knowledge with particular experience working with youth who identify along the trans, queer and questioning gender identity and sexuality spectrums
• Experience working in a fast-paced drop in setting
• Experience working with youth who have challenges related to mental health
• Excellent computer literacy, communication, teamwork, leadership and advocacy skills and the ability to work independently
• First Aid/CPR and Food Handlers Certificate is an asset

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed
• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Screening program

TO APPLY: Interested applicants are invited to submit their cover letter and resume and fill out the application form on or before January 30, 2026.
We ask applicants to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting Human Resources. Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

Skills Required