Youth In Care Leader

POSITION TYPE:

One (1) Temporary, Part Time Position

Flexible (1,400 hours per calendar year)

*Twelve (12) month contract subject to renewal for a maximum term of four (4) years

SALARY RANGE:$28.34 - $31.27 per hourDEPARTMENT:Diversity, Equity and InclusionREPORTS TO:Director of Diversity, Equity and InclusionPOSTING DATE:September 22, 2025POSTING DEADLINE:Applicants should create an account and apply at https://haltoncas.myavanti.ca/careers by 4:30pm on October 6, 2025

As a Youth In Care Leader, you’ll use your voice and experience to inspire change, connect with peers, and help create opportunities for youth across the Halton Region. In this role, you will:

• Be a peer leader and advocate, making sure youth perspectives are heard and respected.
• Lead and shape youth engagement initiatives that bring young people together and build community.
• Share ideas, build leadership skills, and learn from others while participating in provincial youth networks like the Ontario Education Champion Team (OCET).
• Collaborate with Halton CAS and community partners, giving feedback and ideas to improve services and outcomes for youth in and from care.
• Act as a link to the OACAS youth program, making sure local youth have a strong voice at the provincial level.

Main duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and inspire: Take a leadership role in Youth SAID and other youth programs, events, and activities in Halton.
• Be the connector: Represent Halton CAS in the YouthCAN Network, linking youth to a powerful provincial community.
• Build fun and engaging programs: Help coordinate and shape programs designed by youth for youths like Youth SAID, Youth Advocacy, and Financial Literacy.
• Have a seat at the table: Bring the youth perspective forward at OCET meetings.
• Make an impact: Participate in Halton CAS committees to make sure youth voices are heard in decisions that affect them.
• Shape the future: Work with staff to create clear goals, roles, and responsibilities for youth-led initiatives.
• Be a role model: Lead by example, showing other youth what’s possible.
• Bring people together: Help plan and promote fun and meaningful social events and programs across Halton.
• Have your say: Share your feedback and ideas to improve programs and services for youth in care at Halton CAS.
• Show your leadership in action: Create reports for the Leadership Team and the Board of Directors to highlight the awesome work being done to support youth.
• Track the wins: Track and report activities and progress so everyone can see how youth leadership is making a difference.
• Pitch in when needed: Support other projects and tasks that keep youth programs moving forward.

Knowledge, Education, Experience, Skills and Attributes

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and enrolled in a part-time or full-time post-secondary program or a recent graduate of a relevant social services program.
• Must have personal knowledge/experience with the child welfare system.
• Lived experience as a youth in care, especially from those who represent marginalized youth in care, is considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrate a commitment to working with youth.
• Promote a belief that you can influence positive change in the child welfare system.
• A satisfactory Police Records Check is required.

General Skills and Attributes

• Great communicator: You’re comfortable with other youth, sharing ideas, and listening to different opinions and perspectives with respect.
• Inclusive mindset: You believe everyone deserves to be valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are.
• Calm under pressure: You can handle tough situations and support others when things get challenging.
• Program builder: You enjoy planning activities, leading groups, and finding fun, create ways to get people engaged.
• Aware and informed: You understand (or are open to learning about) the rights, laws and issues that impact youth in care.
• Empathy for others: You recognize the unique challenges youth and families face in diverse and low-income communities.
• Flexible and adaptable: You can adjust you schedule and approach to meet the needs of youths.
• Values-driven:You believe in fairness, respect and integrity, and demonstrate the values of Halton CAS.
• Team player and self-starter: You can take the initiative on your own or work collaboratively with others.
• Creative problem solver: You look for solutions that are fair, inclusive, and innovative.
• Positive Energy: You bring optimism and encouragement that motivates others.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• You understand and respect the culture, history, and challenges faced by communities that are overrepresented in child welfare including indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
• You help create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space where everyone including youth, staff, and volunteers feel valued and respected.
• You’re committed to working within an equity and anti-oppressive, anti-racism practice framework and you’re open to learning about and applying the 11 One Vision One Voice Race Equity practices and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
• You respect and celebrate ethnic, spiritual, linguistic, familial, and cultural differences.
• You are committed to acting in accordance with and incorporating the Society's Code of Conduct, Confidentiality, Equal Opportunity, and Anti-Discrimination, Harassment & Discrimination policies, etc.

Halton CAS has a vaccination policy and procedure in place. As a condition of employment, new employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 unless they have a valid reason not to be vaccinated based on a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all of the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date. The candidate will be asked to provide Halton CAS with proof of full vaccination, prior to the candidate’s employment start date. Acceptable proof includes an Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine receipt which you can obtain through the Provincial portal https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/, or other government-issued vaccine passport or certification.

As described above, the requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for a reason protected by the Code, requests for accommodation from the vaccine policy will be assessed on a case by case basis and will be subject to Halton CAS’ accommodation process.

The Halton Children’s Aid Society is an equal opportunity employer.

The Halton Children’s Aid Society is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment where all employees and members of the public are respected. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Halton Children’s Aid Society, we will only contact those selected for an interview. All interviewed candidates will be asked to provide a minimum of two supervisory references.

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at 905-333-4441 ext. 0574. Human Resources will work with the applicant and the interview committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.