Youth Worker, Sankofa Program

Job title:                           Youth Worker, Sankofa Program

Classification:                  C

Compensation:                $25.12 – $26.65 per hour

Hours:                               28 hours per week 

Start / End Date:             As soon as possible 

Reports to:                       Assistant Manager, Programs and Services

Posting Date:                   April 14, 2025

Reference Number:       CLU-2025-06

Deadline to apply:          Until filled

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to the Executive Assistant at jobs@culturelink.ca, quoting the reference number.

CultureLink is a settlement and community organization with 36 years’ experience in developing and delivering services to meet the needs of diverse communities. CultureLink works within an anti-oppression framework and is committed to equity. This is a bargaining unit position.

Job Summary:

CultureLink’s Sankofa program serves newcomer, out-of-status, racialized, LGBTQIA+ and/or underserved youth, 13-29 of age, to support the healthy and positive development of participants. The Youth Worker is responsible for recruiting participants, implementing weekly group activities in partnership with other agencies, carrying out one-on-one sessions with clients and developing marketing materials and content for the program blog and website. The Youth Worker supports intergenerational activities, which includes Global Roots Garden Program. Global Roots matches youth volunteers with seniors to maintain community gardens.

In-person work at one or more sites will be required, depending on public health conditions. The Youth Worker must be proficient with technology and online tools (for example Zoom, Google Meets), and able to support clients to participate using technology and online tools. 

Maintaining positive relationships with partners and CultureLink colleagues is essential to program success. All agency staff are also expected to support each other and to collaborate on agency-wide initiatives.

Duties:

• Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports
• Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
• Organize registration of participants for group activities, prepare programs and promotional material, and publicize events
• Implement workshops and programs, including a new program focused on LGBTQIA+ newcomers (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus other gender identifies, or sexual orientations not included in this acronym)
• Coordinate with community partners
• Coordinate youth volunteers
• Enter and maintain program statistics and client information into OCMS.
• May supervise placement students and volunteers
• Other duties as assigned

Required Work Capacities:

• Physical demands: sitting at a desk for computer work (50% of the workday) and meetings; lifting (files, laptop, and program supplies up to 5 kg)
• Non-physical demands: occasional deadlines; variety of tasks 
• Social/emotional demands: teamwork; relationship/network-building; exposure to emotional situations; working closely with the public, with clients and with colleagues 
• Cognitive/mental demands: attention to detail; self-supervision/autonomy; multitasking; organizational ability/time management, adaptability, sound judgement, effective written communication 

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary program or degree in a field relevant to human services, or a combination of equivalent experience and education
• Three years of community work experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Facilitate the use of digital outreach tools and social media (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
• Proficient in MS Office, and various social media tools.
• Ability to use digital outreach tools and social media (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
• Proficiency in OCMS (OCASI Client Management System), is an asset.
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening within the past six months
• Must be authorized to work in Canada.