Position: Virtual Youth Support Worker

Reports to: Supervisor, Community Services

Location: In-Person or Virtual

Status: Temporary, Full-Time 1-year

Hourly Rate:$23.04 - $27.65

Reference #: CCS-0914-01

Posting Date: September 14, 2026

Closing Date: September 21, 2026, at 4:30 pm

JOB SUMMARY:

The Virtual Youth Support Worker will work as a member of a diverse interdisciplinary Youth Wellness Team to support youth experiencing mental health, substance use or other challenges. Youth Support involves emotional and practical support between people who share a common experience. Virtual Youth Support Workers help to build equal and empathetic relationships, encouraging young people to make decisions based on their own knowledge and expertise about their own needs.

As a Virtual Youth Support Worker, you will utilize your lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use to support youth accessing the Hub to determine their unique goals and service needs. In this role, you will provide education about navigating mental health and substance use challenges as well as where to find resources in the community to address those concerns. As part of the Youth Wellness Team, Virtual Youth Support Workers contribute to program development and outreach activities related to YWHO’s Clinical Services, Skills & Well-being Activities and Community Support Services.

Virtual Youth Support

Workers are also responsible for co-creating a welcoming space for youth who access Virtual Hub services, attending drop-in activities, as well as mentorship.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/REGISTRATION

- One (1) year minimum post-secondary experience in Social Services, Healthcare or a related field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE





- Lived/living experience as a person with mental health and/or substance use challenges, which may include experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use services, is required.
- Equivalent combinations of training and experience may be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Knowledge of community resources and navigating the youth mental health and substance use system.
- Demonstrated ability to relate to young people accessing services from a peer perspective and can work within an interdisciplinary health care team.
- Strong self-awareness, self-care practices and can establish and maintain skilled relationships with youth accessing youth support services.
- Excellent organizational, time management, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in supporting safe and meaningful drop-in participation and being open to diverse ways of thinking about, understanding and articulating issues related to mental health and substance use is an asset.
- A high degree of familiarity with MS Office and e-mail, as well as the willingness to learn new computer programs, is required; your role will include documentation on the computer.
- We strongly encourage applications from First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Black, and other racialized people who are reflective of intersectional experiences (i.e., 2SLGBTQ , neurodevelopmental differences, living with a disability, etc.).




- Knowledge of approaches that promote health equity, including anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, 2SLGBTQ inclusion, community engagement, cultural safety, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and human rights and accessibility frameworks.
- Formalized youth support work experience and experience supporting/connecting with diverse youth is an asset.
- Successful completion of training within the first month, on Youth Support/Recovery, knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Planning and experience belonging to groups, agencies or organizations related to youth support would be an asset.
- Experience facilitating groups or other consultations with a broad range of participants is an asset.
- Experience providing virtual services.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.
- Bilingualism or the ability to speak a second language is considered an asset.
- Satisfactory vulnerable sector check and full COVID-19 vaccination required.

Duties and Responsibilities; Please refer to the on our website, algomafamilyservices.ca

This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the OPSEU.

Algoma Family Services (AFS) is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. AFS encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants that may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify HR when contacted for an interview.

PLEASE SEND YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO [email protected] QUOTING REFERENCE # CCS-0914-01

Pay: $23.04-$27.65 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Virtual Youth Support Worker (Sault Ste. Marie)
🏢 Algoma Family Services
📍 Sault Ste. Marie