PETERBOROUGH YOUTH SERVICES JOB POSTING
Counsellor – Community Response Program
Permanent
(Full-time Position, 35 hrs/week)
Position title: Reports to: Department: Location: Employment group:
Start date:
Counsellor – Community Response
Program Manager– Child and Youth Mental Health Child and Youth Mental Health
PYS Office: Peterborough (459 Reid Street)
OPSEU Local 334: ($60,359.90 - $69,162.48) plus benefits 35hours per week
Position available immediately
Posting closing date:
Who We Are:
July 15, 2026
Send CV and Cover Letter to [email protected]
Peterborough Youth Services (PYS) is a mental health and youth justice organization serving
children, youth and families. We provide a range of accessible, collaborative and responsive
services for the improvement of client and community safety and wellbeing. Our vision is to be a
thriving organization leading through collaboration to deliver high quality, equitable service.
Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging:
We acknowledge that Peterborough Youth Services (PYS) is in Nogojiwanong, which is located within
the Williams Treaty, Treaty 20, and is Mississauga Anishinaabeg territory. PYS also provides
support to other communities which are the traditional territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat,
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples, and now home to many diverse nations. We
respectfully recognize the presence of Indigenous peoples, both in the past and present, and we
commit to action, education, meaningful dialogue and necessary change.
As an employer, we are dedicated and committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace and building
teams that reflect the communities we serve. We work to promote a diverse antiracist, inclusive,
accessible, skill based, respectful, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals
to apply and actively seek to attract, develop and retain talent from diverse backgrounds,
including but not limited to people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and other individuals
from the global majority, people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual
orientations, gender identities and expressions, those from various socio-economic backgrounds, and
life experiences. We strive to cultivate an inclusive culture that advances equity and supports the
success and wellbeing of all employees.
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for Community Response Program services provided by Peterborough Youth
Services. Typically, such services require the Community Response Counsellor to provide services in
community settings outside the PYS office including the community, schools and homes. These
services are considered mobile, responsive and accessible as the Community Response Staff “go to”
the client versus traditional office-based services and supports.
PYS holds the following core values: Excellence, Employee Well-being, Responsive Collaboration,
Inclusivity/Equity and Dignity.
Summary of Primary Responsibilities:
(A detailed job description will be made available to interview candidates)
Crisis Response
- Respond to crisis calls from young people, their families and workers in the community in a
timely fashion, as per the Community Response Program - Crisis Response Service Description.
- Conduct a reasonable yet rapid assessment of individual/family risks, needs and
resources.
- Provide follow-up support, as required Community-based interventions
- Receive referral from PYS Triage for Community Response Program community-based
interventions
- Develop and deliver group interventions, as required
- Where applicable, work collaboratively with community partners in delivering individual, family
and group interventions
- Identify longer term needs and goals with the individual/family/group
Case Management and Service Navigation
- Receive referral from PYS Triage for Community Response Program - Case Management/Service
Navigation Service
- Develop a service plan
- Develop and coordinate the work of a service team
- Provide follow-up support, as required
Qualifications, Clinical Knowledge, and Skills:
Education
- CYC/MHA/SSW/BSW/MSW or related degree/diploma
Experience
- 2 years’ experience in community mental health and/or children and youth services
Professional Designations and/or Licenses
- If BSW/MSW, current membership in Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
(OCSWSSW)
- Certified First Aid and CPR and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (including a Vulnerable Sector Screening)
Working Conditions/Expectations:
- Assessment, formulation and treatment planning knowledge and skills (critical thinker,
analytical)
- Knowledge and skills in crisis intervention, family support and case coordination
- Possess strong relationship building, engagement, and meeting facilitation skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong case management skills
- Strong ability to recognize, assess, and deal effectively with aggressive and/or physically
assaultive behaviour and crisis situations
- Advanced problem-solving skills
- Able to make use appropriate of supervision (Administrative, Educational, Supportive,
Clinical)
- Communication skills - written and verbal, individual and group presentation
- Advanced interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to a wide variety of people
- An understanding of the complexities of working with multi-stressed individuals and
families
- Able to work as part of a team (able to accept and make use of feedback)
- Self-awareness (willing and able to reflect on your work and impact on clients/peers)
- Responsible, reliable employee
- Knowledge and understanding of the impact of marginalization on youth
- Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to incorporate anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice
into daily work
The above job posting reflects the major aspects of the job, and shall not be construed as a
detailed job description of all work requirements inherent in the job. All positions may be
assigned other job related duties as required from time to time.
Why Join Our Team?
We want all staff to feel safe, valued, and have a sense of belonging. We are proud to offer:
- Excellent Benefits (after successful completion of probation)
- Group RRSP (after successful completion of probation)
- 4 weeks paid vacation to start with incremental increases over time (after successful completion
of probation)
- Additional paid time for sick, wellness days and an agency closure between Christmas and New
Years
- Continuous professional development
- Committees and communities of practice where staff, youth and families can join and partner to
co-develop projects, processes and services that impact or interest them which directly contribute
to the culture of inclusion and engagement.
If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit a CV and cover letter by
email to [email protected] before 5:00pm on July 31, 2026.
We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the
Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during any
stage of the recruitment process, (including alternate format materials, accessible meeting rooms
or other accommodation), please notify [email protected]
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $60,000.00-$69,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
