New Dawn

Full-Time

Description

Duties and Responsibilities

·         Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).

·         Under the clinical direction of the site MHA Clinician, provide the following services to youth ages 12 to 25 who present at the IYS site for services:

o   Conduct intake and screening related to mental health, addiction and other issues; form a supportive rapport; collaboratively develop a service plan.

o   Triage youth presenting with mental health and addiction needs and facilitate access to appropriate services, including urgent and emergency care.

o   Provide information on services available within and beyond the IYS-NS site; successfully connect youth and their caregivers with services; monitor and support their progress; advocate for service access as needed.

o   Work with site colleagues, the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, youth, and caregivers to ensure supports and services are provided for youth who are wait-listed for clinical and intensive MHA services.

o   Provide collaborative case management for assigned youth, working closely with IYS site colleagues and others to integrate service delivery and provide youth with seamless care.

o   Facilitate the coordinated transfer and secure attachment of young people to adult services.

o   Support youth to be actively engaged in their care plans and treatment, and where possible, to become their own advocates and case managers.

o   Ensure client documentation in the IYS-NS data platform (identified in the minimum data set) and other record(s) as relevant; where required, assist youth in entering data into the platform.

o   Make use of data to guide care conversations and interventions.

o   Maintain timely and accurate client records to enable team communication and coordinated care.

·         Lead the collaborative development and implementation of a site youth outreach plan, to proactively engage with youth and young adults who may benefit from IYS but aren’t accessing mental health or substance use supports. Use innovative and creative ways to develop a rapport and introduce these young people to IYS.

·         Assist the site supervisor in informing the broader community about the IYS-NS model of care and site services/programs. Create and maintain connections with other youth serving organizations, the municipality and large systems such as NS Health Authority and Department of Community Services.

·         On an ongoing basis, work with site staff and management IYS coalition member organizations, Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees, Collaborating Service Providers, ad the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, to ensure that the Pan-Canadian Principles of IYS guide all aspects of site services.

·         Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and protocols regarding addiction and mental health care, and youth/young adults more broadly

·         Participate in internal team meetings as required

·         Look for potential improvements and help implement solutions 

·         Maintain quality, safety and the confidentiality of employees, clients, and volunteers

·         Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision

·         Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations

·         Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships

·         Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally

·         Other duties as assigned by the Director, Properties and Development

Qualifications

·         Bachelors Degree in Social Work required

·         Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

·         Minimum of two (2) years of social work experience required (3-5 years preferred) in one or more of the following areas: intake and assessment, mental health, addictions services, youth services

·         Current and up-to-date CPR and First Aid Training

·         Current and up-to-date Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training

·         Current and up-to-date Brain Story Certification

·         Current and up-to-date Mental Health First Aid Training

·         Valid Nova Scotia Drivers License, access to reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance to transport clients is required.

·         Compassion and empathy

·         Experience working with and advocating for vulnerable populations 

·         Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with guidance from others 

·         Exceptional attention to detail

·         Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

·         Ability to work effectively with others; to work together towards a shared goal 

·         Highly organized and ability to work well under pressure

·         Proficiency with Microsoft suite of programs and applications 

·         High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability

·         Understands servant leadership and community-focus as central to the work

Work Conditions

·         Travel may be required

·         Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals

·         Overtime may be required; working evenings/weekends as needed

·         Interacts with employees, management, and the public at large

·         Environment can be busy and/or noisy at times

Total Compensation Package

New Dawn Enterprises believes in supporting the well-being of employees and, in service of this, has created the following compensation package for salaried employees of New Dawn Enterprises, in addition to their salaries;

Reduced Hours Work Week
 In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human wellbeing, New Dawn has adopted a Reduced Hour Work Week. All full-time salaried employees are required to work thirty-two (32) hours per week. These hours can be worked over four (4) or five (5) days. At the start of employment, a schedule will be determined to meet the needs of the company and the employee. 

Paid Vacation

All full-time salaried employees are entitled to one hundred and twenty (120) hours of paid vacation, annually. 

 Paid Mental & Physical Health Days

All full-time salaried employees are entitled to fifty-six (56) hours of paid leave for mental and physical health, annually. These days can be used to take time off work for physical and/or mental wellness/illness, and to attend appointments for the employee and/or their dependents.

Paid Holidays

New Dawn observes the following thirteen (13) public holidays: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

In the spirit of family, the President & CEO reserves the right to close New Dawn administrative offices between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to enable employees to spend time with their families without requiring them to use vacation hours. This decision is reviewed annually based on operational requirements. 

Group Health Employee Benefits
Group benefits for employees and dependents are provided by Group Health. Fifty percent (50%) of benefit premiums are paid by the employer, with the exception of Long-Term Disability where benefit premiums are paid fully (100%) by the employee. 

Self-Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan  
 New Dawn offers salaried employees retirement savings matching for self-directed retirement savings plans after completion of three (3) months of employment. Employees may choose to contribute up to 5% of their gross salary to a retirement savings plan, deducted from their pay cheque. Contributions are matched by the Employer to a maximum of five percent (5%).

Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
 Group Health also includes access to an Employee and Family Assistance (EFAP) Program that employees and their dependents can utilize for 24/7/365 confidential support for issues related to stress, anxiety, depression, family or relationship issues, addictions, legal or financial difficulties, health and nutrition concerns, and workplace or career difficulties. 

Café Marie Discount

All New Dawn employees are entitled to a 20% discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Rewards & Recognition

New Dawn recognizes and rewards the service of salaried employees with Years of Service awards at defined milestones in their careers. New Dawn recognizes and rewards the work and achievements of salaried employees through the STAR Program with ongoing and immediate recognition throughout the year.

Professional Development  
 New Dawn is committed to the ongoing professional development and lifelong learning aspirations of employees in their skills and knowledge. Employees are encouraged to discuss position-relevant professional development opportunities with their immediate Supervisor. 

About New Dawn

New Dawn Enterprises Limited is a private, volunteer-directed non-profit social enterprise dedicated to community building. It seeks to identify community needs and to establish and operate ventures that speak to those needs.

Incorporated in 1976, New Dawn is the oldest Community Development Corporation in Canada. Today it employs 150 people across 10 companies: New Dawn Homecare, Pine Tree Park Care Home and Pine Tree Park Home Living, New Dawn Meals on Wheels, the Eltuek Arts Centre, Café Marie, New Dawn Properties, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration, New Dawn Centre, New Dawn Community Engagement, and Abbey Ridge.

All of its work is in service of building a more vibrant and self-reliant Unama'ki-Cape Breton Island.

About integrated Youth Services

Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a dynamic international and pan-Canadian movement that aims to transform how youth access and receive services for substance use, mental health issues, and other key challenges.

Operating within a community-led, partnership-based model, Integrated Youth Services-Nova Scotia (IYS-NS) will offer young people and their caregivers a range of in-person and virtual services, programs, and supports, in one convenient location. In doing so, IYS-NS sites will provide a coordinated response that puts youth and caregivers at the centre.

Location Information

Community

Sydney

County

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Province

Nova Scotia

Country

Canada

Opportunity Information

Employer

New Dawn

NOC Code

Social workers (41300)

Experience Required

Yes

Available Openings

1

Pay Type

Salary

Pay Period

To be Determined

Remuneration Per Pay Period

Estimated Weekly Hours

—

Start Date

August 4th 2025

End Date

—

Language

English

Language Proficiency Level

Posted on

July 15th 2025

Expires

July 25th 2025