Child and Youth Counsellor I, Benjamin Road

Join Our Team
Imagine being part of an organization that adds value to our community cares about its staff and creates a supportive workplace environment. Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood) is a progressive not-for-profit health and social service organization that strengthens peoples lives by providing mental health employment and housing services to more than 16000 people annually in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

We need great people like you to help us realize our mission and support communities where everyone experiences mental wellness opportunities for employment a place to call home and a sense of belonging.

There is one Full-time permanent Child and Youth Counsellor I Ben Rd available position starting on June 09 2025 working 37.5 hours per week.

Your Role:

Undertakes various Child and Youth Care Worker duties in the assigned service area and works with the Primary Youth Worker maintaining a safe therapeutic environment. Assists with recreational and skills development programming working individually with clients and/or in a group format. Works intentionally from an anti-racist anti-oppressive perspective to further create a sense of belonging at the Agency. Supports the sustainability of social emotional learning.

Tasks:

Client Service:

1. Supervises supports and counsels clients monitoring and documenting behaviour and ensuring the continuity of goals and objectives of the service area.
2. Assists the primary youth worker or designate in the design and implementation of recreational life skills and therapeutic programming.
3. Assists the Primary Worker with the Assessment development and implementation of goals and objectives with individual clients ensuring continuity and integration of treatment care.
4. Assists with the design and implementation of daily routines norms and structure for groups and individuals and ensures Ministry of Children Community & Social Services standards are met.
5. Acts as a role model for staff and clients.
6. Updates parents on progress/behaviours as required.
7. Assists youth to problem-solve effectively.
8. Responds in client crisis situations using crisis interventions and CIT techniques.
9. Provides skills development and learning developing action plans as required.
10. Organizes clients and participates in recreational activities life skills training and coaching such as housekeeping and cooking.
11. Provides services to youth in the community including life skills groups coaching and recreational focused interventions and one-to-one support.
12. Transports clients to appointments and community events as required.
13. Communicates relevant client information to agency and external team members.
14. Plans and facilitates skills group programming using pre-developed curricula (i.e. DBT informed group social skills group emotional management group relapse prevention group life skills group etc.).
15. Administers medication and first aid to clients and updates the medication log (training required).
16. Assists with various care co-ordination functions as assigned by the team.
17. Assists with designing delivering and evaluating the overall program.
18. Assists with the assessment development and implementation of goals and objectives for the group program.
19. Supports clients in individual and group settings including therapy settings life skills social skills and specific issues as they arise.
20. Provides medication to youths in the program.

Housekeeping:

1. Maintains program areas in a clean and safe way which includes washing dishes sweeping floors and putting things away.
2. Ensures the proper storage of recreational equipment and maintains the cleanliness of any facilities that are utilized. i.e. craft room gymnasium kitchen unit offices laundry etc.

Administration:

1. Completes the required documentation specific to the assigned service area.
2. Performs tasks of other department staff as required during their absence or takes on extra tasks to support the service.
3. Ensures the safety and security of the community as per service mandate
4. Assists in file audits.
5. May create daily schedules which organize client needs supporting staff needs the break schedule and classroom staff coverage.

Your Talents and Experience:

Diploma or degree in child and youth work or related discipline plus at least one years successful experience as a Child and Youth Worker or equivalent. Ability to design and implement recreational and group programming. Ability to communicate openly and honestly and coach youth and give and take directions. A sound understanding of different social and emotional learning models. Resiliency while working under physical and emotional stress is necessary. Alignment with the Agencys commitment to anti racism and anti-oppression. Passionate aware and willing to learn about antiracism anti-oppression and equity. Required to hold completion of CIT or equivalent current First Aid/CPR certificate and a G class license.

Whats in it for you

• Job Band E (hourly wages): Min - $23.62 Mid - $25.38 Max - $28.37
• A positive work culture inclusive workplace policies and employee wellness initiatives.
• Enrollment in a defined pension plan with the Heath Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Enrollment in our Modular Health and Dental Benefits plan with Sun Life.
• Access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program which provides free and confidential counselling resources and services.
• 3 weeks paid vacation (accumulated bi-weekly)
• 15 hours of personal time per year.
• Paid sick time (accumulated monthly) to a maximum of 300 hours.
• 11 paid holiday benefits per year plus a floater day.
• Discounted GRT passes through membership with Travel Wise.
• Employee Referral Incentive Program.
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Staff appreciation events.
  

If you are community-focused and share our values and antiracism commitment we want you to grow with us. Please submit your application through BambooHR in confidence no later than 4 pm on May 28 2025.

This is an internal and external posting.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If you dont have every single requirement and the exact level of experience listed in our description but the skills and experience needed for the role still resonate with you please consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and quality; therefore we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require any support submitting your application or during the interview process by contacting Human Resources at or by calling ext. 1247.

Commitment to Equity
As a community agency delivering mental health employment and housing services Starling Community Services acknowledges Canadas history of systemic racism oppression and the need for structural and institutional change. We are committed to continuously improving so that we may deliver equitable and accessible services to our entire community.

We are dedicated to embedding equity practices into the fabric of our organization recognizing that this requires ongoing effort education and dialogue. Guided by our equity strategy we are committed to providing equal opportunities for career advancement professional development and success for all staff regardless of their identity or background.