Youth Mental Health & Community Engagement Worker

Community Options for Justice (Oxford) is a well-established, operational non-profit agency that has served Oxford County—and expanding to Elgin County—for over 40 years. We specialize in non-residential, justice-based programs aimed at supporting both youth and adults through prevention, diversion, post-sentence support, education, skill development, and restorative mediation. Our main office is located in Woodstock, with additional services delivered across Oxford and Elgin County.

Position Summary

We are seeking a flexible, outgoing, and adaptable youth Mental Health & Community Engagement Worker to deliver justice-focused programming for youth (ages 12+) while also supporting community engagement initiatives within our small, collaborative team.

This position has two key areas of responsibility.

The first focuses on youth justice work, including providing court support, managing caseloads, conducting intakes, and developing, facilitating, and implementing both group and individual programming. The successful candidate will deliver meaningful, justice-oriented interventions that support positive outcomes for youth.

The second area centers on community engagement and outreach. This includes representing the agency at community events, increasing community awareness of our services, building relationships with local partners, and seeking support through monetary and in-kind donations. The role will also involve connecting with local businesses and organizations to encourage initiatives such as food drives and other forms of community support in Oxford County and Elgin.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes, assessments, and ongoing case management for youth
• Maintain a caseload with accurate documentation and timely reporting
• Attend court as needed, supporting clients and representing the program.
• Facilitate programming in both group and individual settings amongst all programs within the agency.
• Travel across Oxford County and Elgin County to deliver services and meet client needs.
• Work independently and manage schedule, priorities, and client relationships.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and community partners to provide wrap-around support.
• Create relationships and networking opportunities with key stakeholders for service
• Support ongoing program development, adapting to emerging community needs.
• Engaging with the community in events and seeking out donors within the communities
• Help our Community Justice Advisor with a social media presence 

Qualifications & Skills

• Post-secondary education in Social Service Work, CYW (Child and Youth Worker), CYC (Child and Youth Care), or equivalent experience.
• Mental Health experience is required.
• Community Involvement/engagement an asset
• Experience working with youth and adults in justice or social services contexts.
• Strong skills in case management, intake, and group and individual facilitation.
• Comfort and professionalism in a court environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Flexibility and adaptability to a range of roles and scenarios.
• Create and implement various programs; (Anger Management, Life Skills, Employment/ School Support.) etc. 
• Current “G” Driver’s License with a clean driver’s abstract.
• Police Check including Vulnerable Sector Check required.
• CPR & First Aid Required.
• Ability to adapt and multitask. 

Contract Details

• Part-time, 12-month contract 
• 28 hours per week  ( 56 hours per pay period )
• 6-month Probation Period 
• Monday to Thursday
• 5% in lieu of Health Benefits
• 2 weeks paid vacation ( 56 hours )
• Paid sick time
• Work cell phone provided
• Occasional evenings or weekends
• One required evening shift per quarter
• Paid Mileage 
• Occasional work-from-home opportunities as appropriate
• On-site/off-site parking available 
• Refreshments on-site
• Transportation of youth clients, as required, using personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed).
• 2-million-dollar liability on car insurance policy.
• Excellent work-life balance

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $30,000-$35,000.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.