RECENT OR POTENTIAL GRADS: Child & Youth Care Practitioner (Counsellor 2AB)

Competition # : 43152
Department: Community Services
Location: SYDNEY
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG
Closing Date: 18-Jun-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us
At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad
portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services
(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP).
Through our services, we advocate for and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and
secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to
achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity
We consider this to be the best job in the world, and are seeking compassionate, creative individuals to join our
team. Child and youth care is an evolving profession, and when you join our team, you will be embarking on a
rewarding career. You will have the opportunity to establish positive connections with youth and families, during
challenging times in their lives.
If you have a passion for people and are looking for your next opportunity to showcase your various active,
artistical, creative and musical talents, consider a career as a Child & Youth Care Practitioner with New Heights.
We are part of a beautiful community, where your education and skills will be leveraged to provide specialized
care that will have long lasting results for young people.

Primary Accountabilities
As a Child & Youth Care Practitioner in our Provincial Child and Youth Caring programs, you will provide care and
programming for children and youth in the care of the Minister of Community Services or Mi’kmaw Family &
Children’s Services, with moderate to severe emotional and trauma- based responses.
You will provide support and engage with children and youth, leading and co-leading pre-approved psychoeducational youth programming (social and emotional learning). A few of your key responsibilities include:

• Appropriate role modeling and advocating on behalf of children, youth and families for any necessary supports and services.
• Creating opportunities for recreational and leisure activities to provide children and youth the opportunity to
  enhance relationships and make connections in the community.
• Attending and actively participating in community outings, appointments, and meetings.
• Being part of a team that provides a caring and safe environment for children and youth who may require
  assistance with self regulation, conflict resolution and developing skills needed for healthy relationships.
• Collaborating with external professionals including social workers, health care professionals, policing services, probation, and public schools when necessary.
• You are also responsible for accurate reporting, case management notes, file maintenance, and crisis
  intervention, as well as assisting in developing programs and activities. This is where your creative side will shine through, as you incorporate your personal talents and love for unique social and emotional experiences.

Qualifications and Experience
Ideally, you have completed a Child & Youth Care Worker diploma from a provincially approved post-secondary
institution.
Notice to Pending Graduates: If you anticipate graduation from your program within the next few months
of this posting, you are encouraged to apply.
Essential to your success in this role is awareness of a trauma informed approach, knowledge of physical,
psychological, and emotional needs of youth in care and the family unit. You also demonstrate knowledge of
healthy child development, providing opportunity for youth to expand on life skills through support and guidance.
Key qualities of yours include:

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Effective communication skills (oral & written) and the ability to facilitate groups.
• Knowledge of various software packages, such as Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Though not necessary, any experience with case management systems would be considered a desirable asset.
• Previous experience with child welfare, early childhood development, crisis services, shelters, and supporting
  persons with disabilities and substance dependency are considered assets.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written
examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency
This is an excellent career opportunity for many. We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education,
and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and
expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• A related bachelor’s in social science (such as Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Community Studies)
• Related diplomas in Social Services, Disability Support, and Human Services
• Education and experience with Early Childhood Education (ECE)
• Two (2) years related experience supporting children and youth. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a
wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness,
Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all
our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions
Your personal resilience and ability to act decisively and with sound judgement in routine matters or crisis
situations is critical. Child and youth caring environments differ substantially from traditional office settings, where
you will facilitate and maintain an awareness to provide safety and security for youth, visitors, employees, and the
public. While we take precautions, children and youth may demonstrate pain-based responses where Nonviolent
Crisis Intervention (NCI) techniques may be required to ensure a safe environment.

The Facility does operate twenty-four (24) hours of the day and seven (7) days a week, with scheduled rotating
employee shifts.

Additional Information
A valid drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
This is a Term opportunity with an anticipated end date of May 19 2025. The appointment status (‘term’,
‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.
This posting may be used to hire casual relief opportunities as well.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for
  every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forwardthinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: TE 18 – TE 21
Salary Range: $1,864.28 – $2,466.26 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The
Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous
People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in
occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups,
you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova
Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must
apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit
applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service
bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are
incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of
credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.