Community Outreach Worker

Overview

Anchor Youth Space / 37 Nepean Street, Sydney

Deadline to apply: July 25, 2025 / 4:00 pm

Schedule: Permanent, Full-Time

Compensation: $70,000-$80,000 annually

Number of openings: 1

Position Description

Reporting to the Site Supervisor, and working under the clinician direction of the IYS-NS site Mental Health & Addictions (MHA) Clinician, the Community Outreach Worker provides outreach, intake and screening, case management, service navigation, support, and advocacy for youth (ages 12 to 25) who are experiencing challenges related to mental health and addictions. The Community Outreach Worker (COW) employs a relational, empowering, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice.

Working with youth, caregivers, members of the Integrated Youth Services team, and others, the COW leads the collaborative development of youth goals and service plans, and supports youth to meet their goals. The COW actively collaborates with IYS site colleagues and multi-sector partners to develop an integrated, youth-centred system of care and supports.

Duties & Responsibilities

- Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA)

- Under the clinical direction of the site MHA Clinician, provide the following services to youth ages 12 to 25 who present at the IYS site for services:

- Conduct intake and screening related to mental health, addiction and other issues; form a supportive rapport; collaboratively develop a service plan

- Triage youth presenting with mental health and addiction needs and facilitate access to appropriate services, including urgent and emergency care

- Provide information on services available within and beyond the IYS-NS site; successfully connect youth and their caregivers with services; monitor and support their progress; advocate for service access as needed

- Work with site colleagues, the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, youth, and caregivers to ensure supports and services are provided for youth who are wait-listed for clinical and intensive MHA services

- Provide collaborative case management for assigned youth, working closely with IYS site colleagues and others to integrate service delivery and provide youth with seamless care

- Facilitate the coordinated transfer and secure attachment of young people to adult services

- Support youth to be actively engaged in their care plans and treatment, and where possible, to become their own advocates and case managers

- Ensure client documentation in the IYS-NS data platform (identified in the minimum data set) and other record(s) as relevant; where required, assist youth in entering data into the platform

- Make use of data to guide care conversations and interventions

- Maintain timely and accurate client records to enable team communication and coordinated care

- Lead the collaborative development and implementation of a site youth outreach plan, to proactively engage with youth and young adults who may benefit from IYS but aren’t accessing mental health or substance use supports. Use innovative and creative ways to develop a rapport and introduce these young people to IYS

- Assist the site supervisor in informing the broader community about the IYS-NS model of care and site services/programs. Create and maintain connections with other youth serving organizations, the municipality and large systems such as NS Health Authority and Department of Community Services

- On an ongoing basis, work with site staff and management IYS coalition member organizations, Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees, Collaborating Service Providers, and the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, to ensure that the Pan-Canadian Principles of IYS guide all aspects of site services

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and protocols regarding addiction and mental health care, and youth/young adults more broadly

- Participate in internal team meetings as required

- Look for potential improvements and help implement solutions

- Maintain quality, safety and the confidentiality of employees, clients, and volunteers

- Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision

- Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations

- Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships

- Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally

- Other duties as assigned by the Director, Properties and Development

Qualifications

- Bachelors Degree in Social Work required

- Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

- Minimum of two (2) years of social work experience required (3-5 years preferred) in one or more of the following areas: intake and assessment, mental health, addictions services, youth services

- Current and up-to-date CPR and First Aid Training

- Current and up-to-date Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training

- Current and up-to-date Brain Story Certification

- Current and up-to-date Mental Health First Aid Training

- Valid Nova Scotia Drivers License, access to reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance to transport clients is required

- Compassion and empathy

- Experience working with and advocating for vulnerable populations

- Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with guidance from others

- Exceptional attention to detail

- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

- Ability to work effectively with others; to work together towards a shared goal

- Highly organized and ability to work well under pressure

- Proficiency with Microsoft suite of programs and applications

- High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability

- Understands servant leadership and community-focus as central to the work

Work Conditions

- Travel may be required

- Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals

- Overtime may be required; working evenings/weekends as needed

- Interacts with employees, management, and the public at large

- Environment can be busy and/or noisy at times

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