About the John Howard Society of Belleville
The John Howard Society of Belleville is a criminal justice agency that provides services in the areas of prevention, intervention, and reintegration. Our primary focus is to reduce the impact of crime and its causes through the delivery of evidence-based, relevant programs for youth and adults.
As part of Youth Services, the Society operates the Court Café, a social enterprise located within the Quinte Courthouse in partnership with the Enrichment Centre for Mental Health. The café provides hands-on employment training while creating opportunities for youth to develop workplace, food service, customer service, and life skills in a supportive environment.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager of Youth Services and the Executive Director, the Youth Services Worker delivers evidence-based programming and individualized support to youth ages 11–29. The position provides case management, employment readiness programming, and community-based supports that promote healthy decision-making, social and emotional learning, and successful community integration.
As part of this role, the Youth Services Worker is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Court Café, integrating vocational training into youth programming by mentoring participants in food service, customer service, workplace expectations, and employability skills. This is a hands-on role that combines direct youth support with café operations to create meaningful learning and employment experiences.
The successful candidate demonstrates a flexible, non-judgmental, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approach while maintaining high standards of service delivery, food safety, and program accountability.
Key Responsibilities
Youth Services and Case Management
- Meet with youth to complete comprehensive assessments and program intakes.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions and monitor participant progress toward identified goals and clinical outcomes.
- Develop individualized service plans that support healthy living, social-emotional learning, employment readiness, and community integration.
- Complete all required documentation, including intake forms, case notes, statistics, evaluations, and program reports.
- Distribute and collect pre- and post-program evaluations.
- Monitor counselling requirements and prepare reports for the courts when required.
- Coordinate services with schools, probation, shelters, correctional facilities, and other community locations as needed.
- Adhere to agency policies, program standards, and all confidentiality requirements.
Court Café Operations
- Supervise the daily operation of the Court Café during assigned shifts.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming café environment that complies with food safety and sanitation standards established by the Southeast Public Health Unit.
- Participate in food preparation, including sandwiches, salads, baked goods, beverages, and other menu items.
- Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, and portion control.
- Assist with menu planning, recipe development, and product costing.
- Monitor inventory levels and coordinate purchasing with approved vendors.
- Process customer transactions, operate the point-of-sale system, and complete cash handling procedures.
- Maintain equipment, supplies, and café workspaces in accordance with health and safety requirements.
Youth Employment Training and Mentorship
- Provide hands-on coaching and mentorship to youth participating in Court Café vocational programming.
- Teach workplace readiness, food preparation, customer service, cash handling, sanitation, teamwork, communication, and time management skills.
- Assign and coordinate daily work tasks while promoting a positive and supportive learning environment.
- Model professional workplace behaviours and provide constructive feedback to support skill development.
- Monitor participant progress and document employment-related outcomes.
- Foster confidence, independence, and transferable employment skills through practical work experience.
Program Development and Community Partnerships
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, child welfare agencies, justice partners, community organizations, employers, and youth-serving agencies.
- Conduct outreach to strengthen community partnerships and enhance service delivery.
- Support program development by identifying service gaps and opportunities for growth.
- Assist with funder reporting, statistical tracking, program evaluation, and administrative reporting requirements.
- Ensure program delivery meets contractual obligations and quality standards.
- Participate in community committees, round tables, and collaborative initiatives.
- Assist in maintaining accessible, responsive, and client-centred services.
- Attend required staff meetings, supervision, and professional development activities.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in Social Work, Social Service Work, Criminology, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Human Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience providing counselling, case management, or youth programming.
- Experience supervising staff, volunteers, trainees, or youth in employment or community-based settings.
- Previous food service, café, restaurant, or hospitality experience is considered a strong asset.
- Valid Food Handler Certification, or willingness to obtain.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and anti-oppressive approaches.
- Strong understanding of Ontario's youth justice system and community support services.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and electronic documentation systems.
- Experience with program evaluation and data collection is an asset.
- Ability to communicate in more than one language is considered an asset.
Additional Requirements
- Valid Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.
- Valid Ontario driver's licence and access to reliable transportation are considered assets.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and community-based programming.
- Ability to stand for extended periods during café operations.
- Ability to safely perform physical duties associated with café operations in accordance with WSIB guidelines.
What We Offer
- Consistent scheduling.
- Meaningful work supporting youth in achieving personal, educational, and employment goals.
- Opportunity to lead within an innovative social enterprise that provides real-world employment training.
- Collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
- Opportunity to build strong community partnerships and contribute to innovative youth programming.
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
