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 people's lives by providing mental health, employment, and housing services to more than 18,000 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, Safe Haven position available starting on May 25, 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 Child and Youth Counsellor II, maintaining a safe environment. Works in partnership with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate safe and goal-focused programs for clients. Supports the implementation of evidence-informed practices including the Housing First Model and Connect Principles. 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, monitors, supports, and counsels clients, throughout all components of the program.
2. Assists the CYC II or designate in the design and implementation of recreational, life skills and therapeutic programming.
3. Assists the CYC II with the assessment, development, and implementation of plan of actions and objectives with individual clients.
4. Assists with the design and implementation of daily routines, norms and structure for groups and individuals.
5. Acts as a role model for staff members and clients.
6. Liaises with client, family, police, educational staff, and other agencies ensuring communication, continuity, and support.
7. Assists youth and parent/guardians to problem-solve effectively.
8. Responds in client crisis situations using crisis interventions and PMAB techniques.
9. Develops and delivers skill-based programming.
10. Organizes clients and participates in recreational activities, life skills training and coaching including housekeeping and cooking.
11. Transports clients to appointments and community events as required.
12. Communicates relevant client information to agency and external team members.
13. Plans and facilitates skills programming (i.e. social skills group, emotional management group, life skills group, etc.).
14. Administers medication and first aid to clients and updates the medication log.
15. Assists with various care co-ordination functions as assigned by the team.
16. Assists with designing, delivering, and evaluating the overall program.
17. Assists with the assessment, development and implementation of goals and objectives for the group program.
18. While utilizing the Connect Principles, counsels clients in individual and group settings, including life skills, social skills and specific issues as they arise.
19. Completes various screening tools (e.g. MAYSI, suicide risk assessment) as appropriate.
20. Responds to crisis calls, gathering all relevant information and determines the appropriateness of the referrals as per existing protocols.
21. Provides back-up phone support to Mobile Crisis team, as required.

Food Handling and Preparation:

1. Prepares well-balanced meals that comply with Canadas Food Guide.
2. Ensures food is safely stored and properly labeled and dated to avoid spoilage.
3. Ensures that dietary requirements to meet individualized dietary plans are adhered to.
4. Monitors food preparation and presentation to ensure high standards.
5. Coordinates and participates in the proper cleaning of the dining room, kitchen, and serving areas including but not limited to tables and bases, chairs, floor, serving carts, trays, kitchen equipment, counter tops.
6. Works within legislated requirements for proper food handling, WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety, infection control, lifting techniques and disinfecting and cleaning requirements.
7. Monitors food and supplies inventory and ensures supplies are maintained.

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. Assists in file audits.
4. Collects information, records, and maintains client files and updates client and shift data.
5. Monitors safety, general repair, maintenance, and cleanliness in the facility reporting deficiencies to the Program Supervisor or Maintenance Department.
6. Monitors the security of the building.
7. Accepts and processes donations and generating acknowledgement correspondence.

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 counsel youth and give and take directions. Resiliency while working under physical and emotional stress is necessary. Alignment with the Agency's commitment to anti racism and anti-oppression. Passionate, aware, and willing to learn about antiracism, anti-oppression and equity. Required to hold completion of C.I.T. or equivalent, current First Aid/CPR certificate, and G class license.

Whats in it for you?

• 
  Job Band E (hourly wages): Min - $22.93, Mid - $24.64, Max - $27.55
• 
  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.
• Agency Orientation and Training modules.
• 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 05, 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 don't 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 [email protected] or by calling 519-707-1958 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.