Division: Youth Transitional Housing Program (YTHP)
Work Status: Temporary contract, leave backfill
Location: Whitby House (all locations as required)
Interviewing Priority will be for INTERNAL JHS Candidates
Start date: As Soon As Possible
End date: August 20, 2026 (subject to an earlier end date with 2 weeks notice) the person on leave is not required as per ESA to give us 4 weeks notice.
POSTING CLOSING DATE: Monday June 8, 2026 at 4pm
About the Role:
The Youth Transitional Housing Program (YTHP) provides a safe, structured, supportive environment for youth residing in the Durham Region. It is designed to assist youth in learning the skills necessary to transition to live independently in the community.
The YTHP Whitby House is a voluntary, transitional, life-skill based housing program for male-identifying youth who have capacity for, and identify, independent living as their next step. Youth admitted to the program will be age 16 to 18 and identify goals that can be supported by the program and will include education or employment related goals. Youth may be referred by other community organizations, parents or caregivers, self-referred, or referred by DCAS into the contract bed.
The program also takes into account the individual needs of each youth, providing external referrals as necessary. The house is staffed seven days a week including overnights and staff are always on site when youth are in the house.
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Team Leader will support the team and the delivery of the program, to ensure effective service and programming, adhering to the guidelines, policies and mission of the John Howard Society, and our ongoing commitment to operating within an anti-oppressive framework. The candidate would be required to work a combination of days, evenings and weekends as per schedule.
Responsibilities:
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Support the staff team in day to day including coaching, mentoring and providing feedback
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Lead and be accountable for YTHP summer programming by fostering collaboration with the staff, youth and Oshawa House with the goal of providing opportunities of value to the youth
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Ensuring house is staffed appropriately (ie: finding coverage for open shifts)
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Ensure program policies and procedures are adhered to as it relates to the youth, staff and program
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Monitor log book communication, responding as appropriate
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Oversee processing of program fees
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Review files to ensure documentation and follow up are completed
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Facilitate Whitby House staff meetings
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Supports the intake process and fosters ongoing relationships with referral agencies
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Reconcile staff receipts and cash requests
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Ensure new any new staff are supported with appropriate training and guidance
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Communicate/report maintenance issues to Program Manager
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Attend agency and community meetings as required
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Coordinate and prioritize activities and projects to ensure timely completion and delivery
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Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
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Relay statistical information as required
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Ensure file documentation reflects program and funder expectations
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Contribute to the ongoing program development and continuous improvement
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Use relevant counselling models to evaluate job readiness, negotiate readiness for change and develop a suitable service plan
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Assist staff as required to advise/clarify youth supports regarding goals and service planning
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Work with management team to support marketing/outreach plan to promote the program.
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Meets all required deadlines.
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Other related duties that may be assigned
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Develop and foster a diversity of community relationships to support programming
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Participate in designated committee meetings as required
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Attend workshops, meetings and seminars as requested
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Act as On call to support staff
Skills and Abilities
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Minimum 2-years exp in residential setting this is not very much experience
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Strong leadership and team management skills
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Ability to actively listen and create a safe, supportive environment for staff and youth
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Utilize strength-based and trauma informed approaches
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Strong understanding of youth developmental needs and the impacts of abuse, neglect and trauma and effective strategies that support them in a transitional housing program setting
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Strong understanding of youth homelessness and related services within the community
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Strong ability to implement and model de-escalation skills
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Understanding of child welfare system
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Basic knowledge of common mental health disorders
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Knowledge of community services appropriate to clientele
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Strong organization and problem-solving skills
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Proven ability to foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion
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Able to assess risk of suicide and self-harm and support the implementation of strategies or plans
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Clear understanding of duty of care, confidentiality and mandated reporting
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Ability to maintain professional boundaries and self-awareness
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Ability to foster community relationships that support youth in program
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ADP, ZOOM, and database management systems
