Developmental Services Worker

ABOUT US

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing a wide range of exceptional programs and services that improve the mental, social and physical health of infants, children and youth from the pre-natal stage to age 29, and their families. With a range of community, residential and treatment services, we build strength and resilience through equitable, accessible, client-driven services, system leadership and advocacy. We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. In its Lead Agency role, Strides Toronto collaborates with 24 publicly funded infant, child and youth mental health (ICYMH) core service providers to design and implement system-level improvements that promote access, responsive service delivery and experience, and positive mental health outcomes for young people and families across Toronto's diverse communities. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to visit our website at www.stridestoronto.ca

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Developmental Services Worker is a casual relief position that provides day respite, school break, afterschool, and Saturday respite, for youth and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or a developmental disability. Family engagement is an essential partnership with a focus on the development of both social and life skills to enhance quality of life working towards independence by teaching, creating opportunities for socialization through individual and group activities.

Salary range: $31.00 to $37.00 per hour.

Benefits: This position is represented by OPSEU local 567.

Recruiting for four (4) casual relief positions for day and early evening shifts.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our diverse team members and clients can thrive.
• We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Provide direct supervision for the youth in the program to ensure their safety as well as their engagement in the skill development and treatment components of the program. Provide support to clients with their mental health and wellbeing in each of the programs and support them in their engagement daily in the development of life and social skills.
• Implementation of programing under the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis; including the completion of data collection sheets (ABC, time sampling, etc.), team participation in the review of challenging behaviours and areas related to group skill development, participate in the training for task analysis programs to ensure fidelity to model, develop programs based on the principles of ABA to be approved by manager and to support the generalization of acquired skills to family members.
• Complete scheduled programming expectations based on day of week and program for an individual or within a group setting, either in the house or out in the community.
• Maintain, in cooperation with other team members, the physical facilities of the program sites in accordance with accepted norms of health and safety. Maintain a positive space in terms of health and safety standards.
• Ensure that work environment spaces are sanitized, organized, and prepared with items for individual needs, while also ensuring that safety is upheld for all program participants and staff to safely operate.
• Ensure that all relevant documentation is completed in the Client Record in a timely manner as required. Carry out a variety of non-related client administrative duties.

THE “MUST HAVES”

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:

• Completion of Child and Youth Worker (CYW) Diploma.
• 1-2 years of directly related experience.
• Knowledge of the principles of ABA; ASD, and dual diagnosis.
• Understanding and knowledge of various community opportunities.
• Knowledge of Scarborough/ Toronto area, TTC routes.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Awareness of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• An understanding of Anti-Black Racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health when working with clients and their families.
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of and imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts for the client.
• Access to a vehicle and valid driver’s license would be an asset.
• Knowledge of the cultural diversity of communities served by the organization.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:

• A Vulnerable Sector police check.
• A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with Strides Toronto. The Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of making a decision on suitability for employment in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is December 9, 2024.

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Strides Toronto is a participant in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, a program which challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.