HOURS - Flexibility around hours, including evening work is required including one week-day shift working 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. This position will also require the individual to work across the Youth Serving agencies.

Who We Are

At Good Shepherd, we are committed to providing hope and enhancing dignity and self-determination for individuals and families. To learn more about Good Shepherd, visit our website at www.goodshepherdcentres.ca

This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd - Youth Services

How You Will Make an Impact

The successful candidate will extend our mission to residential and non-residential clients through the provision of respectful, appropriate and evidence informed mental health services to street-involved youth; and by providing consultation with Youth Services staff and liaising with medical services in the community. All duties are performed within a multidisciplinary team.

The Community Mental Health program provides early mental health intervention, including, psychotherapy and advocacy to street involved youth. This program is unique in that it is integrated within existing street youth serving agencies in the downtown core. This program is to bridge the gaps in Mental Health Services for Street-Involved and Homeless Youth. Through referrals from staff at youth agencies, the mental health clinical team will provide triage services for youth in crisis and conduct assessments in order to provide services and linkages to meet the needs of the youth.

The FNS Clinician will be responsible for coordinating community-based services to support youth in creating natural support networks to decrease and/or eliminate client isolation in the community. Responsibilities will include facilitating access to community services, crisis counselling, advocacy, case management and inter-agency coordination. When applicable the FNS Clinician will be working with families to repair and strengthen relationships.

The target population for this program are youth within the Hamilton community between the ages of 16-21 who are street involved (hard to reach, homeless, living in shelters) and dealing with mental health and addiction issues.

• Responsible for coordinating community based services to support youth in creating natural support networks to decrease and/or eliminate client isolation in the community
• Facilitating access to community services, crisis counselling, advocacy, case management and inter-agency coordination
• Working with families to repair and strengthen relationships.
• Thorough knowledge of mental health issues, substance use, family conflict, child and adolescent development, and youth justice
• Possess a working knowledge of issues related to gender-based violence, trauma, homelessness, mental health and substance use
• Work from a trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive and feminist framework

Observe all health and safety rules and work in compliance with the provisions of the occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations

What You'll Bring to Our Team

• Assessment skills, crisis intervention, counseling and case management skills, acquired through a combination of education (MSW, BSW) and experience in mental health service provision in a community setting.
• A thorough knowledge of issues related to child and adolescent development, adolescent mental health and mental illness, and family conflict.
• Membership in either the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues of abuse, homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and substance use.
• Knowledge of community resources and services, social and environmental determinants of health, evidence informed practices in working with child/adolescent mental health, ability to develop and facilitate programs/groups to teach emotional and behavioral management skills and conduct evaluation of mental health programs.
• Skills in providing training to staff to support youth in crisis.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Ability to work from an integrated anti-racism/anti-oppression framework.
• Demonstrated ability to work in alignment with Good Shepherd's mission and the values of Availability, Flexibility, Adaptability, Hospitality and Dignity.
• Current CPR and First Aid certificate and WHMIS training required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, computer, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Fluency in French and/or a language in addition to English preferred.

What We Offer

• Be a part of a caring TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
• Support for continuing EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and EMPLOYEE /
• FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING atmosphere
• Make a difference and provide HOPE
• Extended Health Benefits

Join our team and be part of a group that values hard work, dedication, and the importance of maintaining a positive environment for everyone.

Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve.

Good Shepherd welcomes and encourages applications from all people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you need accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 905-528-5877.

Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination policy. More information on the full policy requirements and accommodation allowances will be provided to those selected for an interview.