Building Momentum – Team Lead
Division: Community and Justice, Clarington Youth Centre
Work Status: Full-Time (Temporary)
Location: Durham Region (Clarington and community outreach locations as required)
POSTED: September 3, 2026
CLOSES: INTERNAL September 11, 2026 EXTERNAL September 20, 2026
About the Program:
The Building Momentum for Youth Program is a project funded through the Region of Durham, Community Safety and Well-Being Fund to provide direct service to address the needs of youth experiencing one or more risk factors for involvement in serious violence and crime. It will provide trauma-informed, strengths-based training and supports to help youth build confidence, life skills, positive relationships, and pathways to education and employment through a series of workshops and individual support opportunities. The project will also establish the early foundation for a Youth HUB model in Clarington.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Program Co-ordinator, this role will lead and support the team in the development and delivery of the Building Momentum for Youth program. The Team Lead will support the day-to-day, working alongside staff to ensure intake, assessment, programming, exit, data collection and follow-up processes adhere to the guidelines, policies and mission of the John Howard Society, and our ongoing commitment to operating within an anti-oppressive framework. The Team Lead will support the staff to effectively facilitate individual and group programming and workshops that focus on personal development, interview and job preparation, life skills, mentorship and skill-building certifications. The Team Lead will work with the Program Co-ordinator to utilize their knowledge of youth and community to implement the agency’s vision of a Youth Hub in Clarington. The Team Lead supports the leadership team by strengthening communication and enhancing staff capacity to achieve the expected client and program outcomes.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Support
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Supports staff by providing day-to-day coaching, mentoring and operational guidance, escalating complex matters as appropriate.
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Assist with facilitation of team meetings and case consultations to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and consistent service delivery.
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Support daily workflow, outreach activities and service delivery within the program.
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Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that promotes accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
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Assist with onboarding, orientation, coaching and ongoing professional development while acting as a positive role model for staff.
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Encourage collaboration across Programs and Program Support staff to support coordinated, client-centred service delivery.
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Support a culture of accountability by promoting consistent documentation, effective case management practices and achievement of program outcomes through coaching, collaboration and continuous learning.
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Accountable for the ongoing review and reporting program deliverables to Program Co-ordinator, contributing to a continuous improvement approach and ensuring data is accurate and timely.
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Provides day to day staff and programming debriefing, supports the development of safety plans and de-escalation strategies, assesses risk and escalates client and staff concerns to the Program Co-ordinator.
Operational Support
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Support staff in delivering high-quality workshop and support services through case consultation, service planning and guidance with complex client situations.
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Provide direct service delivery where practicable, for examples: with Hub facilitation and group programming
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Provide guidance and support to promote consistent application of program/funder requirements, agency policies, service standards and best practices.
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Support file review activities by reinforcing documentation standards, providing coaching and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
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Complete required documentation and administrative responsibilities within established timelines.
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Monitors the client journey to ensure it is appropriately documented from intake to exit and follow up.
Partnerships & Community Development
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Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations and businesses that support the program mandate or its components.
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Supports the development of the Youth Hub model, identifying service gaps and needs, co-ordinating partner involvement, supporting youth-informed program design and referral pathways.
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Promote Building Momentum through community outreach, in-reach, networking and partnership activities.
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Participate in agency meetings, committees, professional development and community events as required.
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Maintain current knowledge of labour market trends, community resources and systems that impact the client group.
Education and Experience
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Post-secondary Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, or a university degree or college diploma in a related field of study.
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At least two years experience working with vulnerable or at-risk youth (age 14 to 18).
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Experience delivering group programming
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Experience providing team leadership, coaching, mentoring staff is considered an asset.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
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Strong understanding of youth, the factors that contribute to criminal justice involvement and the developmental needs that support pathways to success.
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Demonstrated leadership, coaching and mentoring skills with the ability to support and motivate others.
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Strong ability to strategically utilize counselling skills to conduct effective intakes, assessments and support interventions
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to build collaborative relationships with staff and community partners.
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Demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practice.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and Canva
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Ability to use social media professionally and effectively
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Demonstrates a clear sense of boundaries, professionalism and confidentiality.
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Some knowledge of learning disabilities and support interventions that make learning and participation more equitable
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Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
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Capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of the programming on the intended outcomes.
