Case Counsellor Specialist

Program Overview – Toronto Youth Job Corps, Community Programs

The Toronto Youth Job Corps (TYJC) program is a high engagement pre-employment program designed to work in partnership with employers, training providers, community organizations, and the Federal government in providing group-based employment skills interventions to youth (ages 15 – 30) who have a sporadic or non-existent employment history.

The Case Counsellor Specialist - Toronto Youth Job Corp will intake young people from four youth employment agencies currently running the TYJC program, providing case management, systems navigation and supports identifying needs and resources in areas such as housing, mental health and wellbeing, general health promotion, parenting and family supports, legal concerns and proximity to youth and adult justice.

What You Will Do

  • Work with a case load of youth across four Toronto-based youth agencies running the TYJC pre-employment program with four different cohorts over the course of one year for three consecutive years
  • The supports and time horizon of services offered by the Case Counsellor Specialist will correspond with the timelines of the TYJC program
  • Contribute to preparing quarterly update reports to the funder
  • Co-located, as needed and in accordance with public health directives, across these four agencies and at WoodGreen Community Services in order to meet the needs of the young people within the TYJC program and maximize the benefits of all agency systems and supports
  • For intensive case management clients, provide a comprehensive needs assessment during intake and conduct quarterly re-assessments to measure progress and stability
  • Provide a range of medium and intensive case management support in areas including, but not limited to, mental health, substance abuse, conflict with the law, housing, sexual health promotion, family and parenting supports, and other intersecting barriers and vulnerabilities
  • Monitor progress and maintain case files and documentation in accordance with Standard Information and Privacy Act protocols
  • Work in collaboration with partnering agencies and leverage existing relationships to assist youth in the TYJC program with referrals and linkages to needed services and resources that support overall life stability and the successful completion of the TYJC pre-employment program
  • Participate in regular supervision and case management support with their supervisor
  • Responsible for attending team meetings in at least one of the four TYJC referring agencies and work closely with all TYJC staff to effectively integrate into the larger team and network
  • Update and manage records in WoodGreen database system(s)
  • Generate regular reports to be shared with the service delivery agencies.
  • Deliver workshops and be a subject matter expert to support clients and TYJC agency staff

What You Bring to the Team

  • MSW or Masters-level education in a related field
  • At least 2-3 years of direct experience working with marginalized young people (e.g. young people who have experienced the child welfare system, homelessness, mental health challenges and/or addictions, employment challenges, etc.)
  • Valid first aid certificate is required
  • Effective September 7, 2021, all newly hired employees will be required to provide proof that they have completed an approved course of vaccination against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to commencing employment or provide documentation to support an exemption based on grounds covered by the Ontario Human Rights Act (i.e. Medical exemption).  

What Will Set You Apart

  • Experienced and knowledgeable in case management, specifically in a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet the client's health and human service needs.
  • Experienced and knowledgeable in the employment dimension of youth service delivery, including resume development, interviewing, career planning and job development
  • Extensive understanding of trauma informed care and harm reduction principals
  • Demonstrated client focussed counselling skills and role modelling
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills that promote team building, negotiation and conflict resolution
  • A broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients.
  • Strong case documentation skills
  • Demonstrated intervention skills, including crisis intervention (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Managing Hostile Interacting certificate a strong asset)
  • Knowledge and cultural humility to issues of a diverse clientele
  • Intermediate computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and ability to perform data input, management and reporting in WoodGreen’s client database application(s)