Youth Worker 1-4

About Us

The Correctional Services division of the Department of Justice is responsible for the administration and operation of community and custody-based programs and services for adults and young persons. Within the Correctional Services core business area there are two programs: community corrections & correctional facilities. Each of these program areas is broken down into closely related activities that have a specific impact on the program’s target group.

Four (4) adult correctional facilities and one (1) youth centre provide the safety and security of persons in custody while providing programs that address dynamic criminogenic factors to assist with their successful reintegration back into the community.

Nova Scotia Correctional Services utilizes an evidence-based approach in both Community Corrections and custodial facilities. Core Correctional Practices (CCP) is the foundational practice that drives reintegration and rehabilitation practices deployed within Correctional Services. Utilizing CCP, Correctional Services staff can effectively interact, manage behavior, and help facilitate change, within target populations.

For more information on the Department of Justice Correctional Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Corrections/

About Our Opportunity

As a Youth Worker, you are responsible for the safe secure custody, control and supervision of sentence and remand persons in custody in a youth correctional centre on a rotating shift basis.

Our Youth Workers undertake duties associated with your shift assignment in various areas of the centre. These areas include persons in custody Living Units, and Central Control. In this role, you will have regular and ongoing interaction with youth in custody, while encouraging pro-social behaviour. You are also responsible for administrative functions related to the case management database (JEIN) and plan, organize, and implement a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of assigned young persons.  This includes such activities as facilitating individual and group program activities in the community and coordinating comprehensive orientation for new residents.  You will develop and implement effective individualized case plans for assigned young persons, and prepare administrative reports related to young offender management, such as custodial progress reports for review of dispositions of the youth court. 

Youth Workers work with a diverse population and are accountable for promoting and adhering to policy and procedures, standard operating procedures, post orders and directives. As part of this role, you will be involved with conducting counts and searches, writing reports, ensuring persons in custody security and safety.

Primary Accountabilities

Responsibilities include:
 
•    Facility Security

Provides dynamic supervision of youth in custody and safe secure custody, control, and supervision of the youth in custody.

•    Persons in Custody Supervision

Includes, but not limited to participate in the case management of youth in custody; approve and arrange professional and personal visits and professional phone calls, and escort youth in custody within the facility as well as in the community; respond to youth complaints and requests; assist youth in the completion of forms (e.g., requests, complaints); supervise persons in custody work activity inside and outside the facility.

•    Physical Plant Maintenance

Supervise facility cleaning by youth, supervise persons in custody trustees on outside work detail, submit maintenance work orders when required.

•    Programs

Advise youth of available programs and referring and adhering to the posted program schedule and support persons in custody program work in the living units

•    Administration & Communication

Record and communicate information through reports, forms, logbooks, email and JEIN documentation and participate in committees or meetings as requested by the Youth Custody Manager or designate.

Communicate in a timely, transparent, and effective manner and participate in workplace wellness initiatives by promoting teamwork, leadership, diversity, and a healthy workplace.
 

Qualifications and Experience

You possess a Bachelor’s Degree  (preferably in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Education or Recreation), and direct experience in youth orientated program delivery, preferably in a correctional setting.  An equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered. Typical equivalencies include: a certificate/diploma from an accredited Correctional Officer program or a university degree in a related field of study.
 
Your experience and knowledge in the following areas are considered assets in this role:
•    Experience in law enforcement, security, or the military
•    Previous employment as a Correctional Officer
•    Knowledge or experience in a computerized/automated environment
•    Leadership experience (i.e., leading youth programs, groups, or committees)
 
Report writing, counseling, and building and maintaining a rapport with the residents and co-workers are critical components of the job.  As such, our successful candidate(s) will demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail.  You must display strong leadership and problem-solving skills, be able to make good decisions and respond appropriately to crisis situations.  Other competencies that must be displayed are the ability to work well with minimal supervision and an understanding of the importance of exercising discretion with confidential matters.
 
 

Equivalency

Equivalencies include, but are not limited to: 

• A related 2 year post secondary diploma
• A related 1 year post secondary diploma and 1 year of related experience
• 5 years of continuous employment in an unrelated field

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their cover letter.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria. 

Additional Information

This competition has been opened to fill 2 permanent vacancies at the Nova Scotia Youth Center in Waterville.

The Centre is a 24-hour operation and is a tobacco-free environment.
 
This position requires a valid Driver’s License, a Driver’s Abstract, Emergency First Aid/CPR Certificate, and proof of all stated education and training, which shall be provided at time of interview.
 
If successful, you must be available to work varying 12-hour shifts – days, nights, weekends, and holidays. 
 

Assessment Process 

Qualified applicants will be invited to competency-based job interview. During the interview, applicants must demonstrate well developed communication, interpersonal and interviewing/counseling and conflict resolution skills to deal effectively with youth in custody and function well as a member of the team. Youth Workers serve as role models to youth in custody and therefore must possess sound observation, decision making and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.
 
If you are called for the next phase, the pre-employment interview, you will be asked to submit the completed questionnaire prior to your appointment. The questionnaire focuses on honesty and integrity and candidates must answer all questions accurately and truthfully. Dishonesty or non-disclosure will result in elimination of the candidate's application.
 
Offer of employment is conditional upon the confirmation of credentials and the completion of all applicable background, criminal record, child abuse registry and reference checks, driver’s license, driver’s abstract, pre-employment interview, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.
 
Professional references for employment must be from past Supervisors. 

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.