Social Worker

 Be the Spark! Join our passionate Employment & Community team and help us to achieve great things in our community! 

The Social Worker (Employment Based Program) will be responsible for providing single session therapy, counselling and facilitating groups to enhance the social development and emotion growth of youth and their support networks.  You will have strong clinical skills in assessment and treatment, and a commitment to member centered service utilizing a strength-based approach. Experience in mental health, good understanding or familiarity with substance use, transitional housing, LGBTQ2 issues and delivery of clinical evidence-based practices, i.e.: Motivational Interviewing, Narrative, Brief Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, are definite assets.  These interventions are designed to improve development, functioning and resiliency in employment, home and the community.    

Working in an integrated service delivery system, you will demonstrate competencies required to provide service in multiple programs across the agency.

In this role, you will:

• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and establish strong working relationship with all levels of staff in the Employment and Community unit


• Provide skilled assessment and treatment services to youth


• Develop, implement and evaluate treatment plans according to individual member needs


• Have the capacity for self-reflection and an ability to engage in ongoing assessment of strategies and their effectiveness


• Collaborate with other professionals and community resources to ensure effective service delivery on behalf of each member


• Provide case management services


• Provide group services as required


• Ensure the availability of required information for all member by maintain comprehensive case record and data in a timely manner


• Ability to develop and maintain highly effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and a strong understanding of role boundaries


• Support anti-oppressive and anti-racism principles in work with members


• A working knowledge or understanding of the current Child and Youth Family Services Act (CYFSA) – would be beneficial


• Capability to participate in quality improvement and program evaluation


•  Understands and supports YMCA philanthropic commitments, connects with families and offers opportunities to give, either financially or their personal time, including participation in special events within the centre and the community.


• Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Child Protection.


• Understands the importance of the volunteer staff partnership and integrates the value of philanthropy and volunteerism in dealings with members, volunteers, donors and staff.


• Other duties as assigned.

You bring:

• University in Social Work or Psychology with a minimum of 3 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience


• Membership in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers or the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario


• Good understanding of trauma based counselling and human trafficking/sexual exploitation issue


• Working knowledge of harm reduction philosophies


• An ability to manage a flexible work schedule, including evenings as required.


• A valid Ontario Driver’s License with access to a reliable vehicle, travelling between sites


• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values


• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services


• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter 

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.