Role and responsibilities

Direct care and supervision

Youth Services Officers (YSO) support youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are in conflict with the law and have been placed in 1 of the 5 government-operated secure custody and detention facilities.

YSOs provide direct care to vulnerable youth in secure detention or custody settings. This includes ensuring the safety and security of the youth, as well as for staff and the community.

They are trained to navigate complex situations, while demonstrating composure and adaptability under high pressure.

Rehabilitation and skills training

YSOs use relationship custody and cognitive behavioural approaches to foster respectful relationships and teach life and pro-social skills.

They also:

  • support and deliver rehabilitative programs and reintegration services
  • teach youth new skills and help them make better choices when returning to the community
  • resolve conflicts, including using de-escalation techniques to safely manage tense or challenging situations
  • help keep youth active and engaged while working to reduce the chances of reoffending

Behaviour management and enforcement

YSOs demonstrate confidence in an enforcement role by consistently applying effective behaviour management principles in day-to-day responsibilities. They also provide community escort duties.

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

YSOs play an important role on multi-disciplinary teams to support young people in custody. They work in a diverse and challenging environment, supporting marginalized youth with understanding and sensitivity.

They collaborate with communities, families, parents and other professionals to:

  • address the root causes of youth crime
  • respond to the needs of young persons
  • guide and support those at risk of committing crimes to make positive changes in their lives

Work locations

The 5 facilities directly operated by the government are:

  • Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury
  • Donald Doucet Youth Centre in Sault Ste. Marie
  • Justice Ronald Lester Youth Centre in Thunder Bay
  • Roy McMurtry Youth Centre in Brampton
  • Sprucedale Youth Centre in Simcoe

Eligibility and requirements

Basic requirements

You must meet all the following mandatory minimum requirements to apply:

  • be a minimum of 18 years of age
  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have a valid work permit to be eligible to work in Canada
  • have a valid Emergency First Aid, CPR (Level C), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification, or be able to obtain certification prior to pre-employment training
  • be able to work up to 40 hours per week, including pre-scheduled and on-call shifts, as well as rotating shifts within a secure custody/detention facility setting that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Educational requirements

You must have successfully completed at least 1 of the following:

  • a post-secondary degree from a recognized college or university in social/human services management, adolescent development, or family group dynamics, along with 1 year of related work experience (paid or volunteer)

    OR
  • a recognized secondary school diploma with supplementary courses in social/human services, along with 3 years of related work experience (paid or volunteer)

We will assess academic credentials completed outside of Canada against Canadian education standards. We recognize foreign educational credentials if they are deemed comparable to Canadian standards through a recognized credential assessment service.

Get help assessing your educational, professional or occupational credentials from the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Experience working with youth

Previous volunteer or paid work experience with youth (including student/field placements), particularly in a secure detention or custody setting, is essential to ensure that you have the foundational skills to work in a secure custody and detention youth centre.

Knowledge and skills

As a Youth Services Officer, you should have proven knowledge of:

  • Sociological issues: Understanding the various sociological factors impacting youth and adolescent development theories
  • Case management and group work: Principles and techniques for effective case management and group work
  • Gender Responsive Therapeutic Programming: Approaches and treatment methods tailored to gender-specific needs
  • Mental health and behavioural disorders: Knowledge of symptoms and causes of deviant behaviour, including mental health and behavioural disorders
  • Cognitive Behavioural Intervention: Philosophy and techniques related to cognitive behavioural interventions
  • Youth Justice legislation: Familiarity with youth justice-related legislation such as the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, and Human Rights Code

To excel in the YSO position, you should have the following skills:

  • Respect and sensitivity: Demonstrates respect and sensitivity to the diverse social, cultural, linguistic, developmental and interpersonal needs of youth
  • Communication skills: Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills, along with interpersonal skills
  • Reporting: Produces clear, accurate and detailed written reports to effectively document incidents and support case management
  • Interviewing, mentorship, coaching and counseling: Proficiency in interviewing, mentorship, coaching and counseling techniques
  • Relationship building: Ability to build positive relationships with youth
  • Facilitation and team building: Effective facilitation and team-building skills
  • Analytical and problem-solving: Strong analytical, interpretive, reasoning and problem-solving skills
  • Technical skills: Knows how to use business software and operational systems
  • Conflict resolution: Demonstrates strong conflict de-escalation skills, effectively managing challenging situations with youth and maintaining constructive, professional relationships with peers
  • Rule enforcement and crisis management: Takes appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of individuals in care, while effectively enforcing rules. Responds to unpredictable youth behaviour, manages crises, and adapts to the demands of a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, including working rotating shifts

How to apply and current job opportunities

You must meet all the requirements before applying.

To apply, please fill out the Youth Services Officer Employment Application form. You do not need to submit a cover letter or resume.

After filling out the application form, send it in using 1 of the following methods:

By email:    
Send your completed application form to: YSORecruitment@ontario.ca

By mail:    
Youth Services Officer Recruitment
Youth Justice Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
6711 Mississauga Road, Suite 700
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2W3

We encourage you to send applications by email. If you do not have access to email, you can send your application by mail.

Please submit your application only once. Incomplete applications will be rejected. If you have applied for a Youth Services Officer position within the last 6 months, there is no need to re-apply.

Search active YSO job postings on the Ontario Public Service Careers website.

Screening and testing

The recruitment, screening and selection processes are ongoing throughout the year.

Application screening

YSO applications are assessed by recruiters to ensure the minimum mandatory requirements for the position are met.

If you meet these requirements, you are eligible to continue with the recruitment process and we will invite you to participate in a scheduled information session.

The recruitment process involves written and physical tests that are done in various locations across the province throughout the year. Although you are invited, wherever possible, to a testing location close to your preferred facility, you may be invited to attend sessions in several geographic regions if you express a willingness to travel.

Both written and physical tests are free. However, you will need to pay for your travel expenses and fees related to security and medical clearances.

Information session

The YSO information session includes a presentation by the recruitment team, a Youth Services Officer and a Youth Services Manager.

During this session, you will receive detailed information about the:

  • position’s role and responsibilities
  • recruitment process
  • culture at the facilities
  • career opportunities within the Youth Justice Division and the greater Ontario Public Service

You must attend a YSO information session before proceeding to the testing session.

Written tests

If you meet the basic requirements and are selected to advance in the recruitment process, we will invite you to complete a series of written tests. These tests will help us decide if you meet the aptitude, cognitive, emotional intelligence and behavioural requirements of the position.

Fitness test

You must pass the Physical Abilities Test, which assesses if you meet the minimum physical standards necessary and are fit to meet the physical demands and essential responsibilities of the position.

The test is composed of 4 parts.

  1. Lift and Carry
  2. Heavy Bag Block and Pull
  3. Body Control/Body Movement
  4. Memorization/Aerobic Fatigue/Decision Making

You will get detailed instructions before the test.

Panel interview and reference check

Successful candidates after the testing stage will then be invited to a panel interview. This interview consists of a written assignment and oral questions, to ensure you have the competencies and skills necessary for success in the YSO role and in working effectively with young persons in conflict with the law.

Successful candidates after the panel interview will then have their references checked. We will contact the references provided, which must be from people who have previously supervised you in a professional setting.

Security and medical clearances

You must get security and medical clearances to be eligible for the pre-employment training (YSO Basic Training). This is in addition to successfully completing all testing and assessment elements, interview and reference checks.

Security clearance

To get an Enhanced Screening Clearance Certificate as per the OPS Employment Screening Policy, you must provide:

  • a Broad Record Check from your local police
  • fingerprint-confirmed police check
  • filled out Security Forms provided by YSO Recruitment
  • out-of-country police check if you have lived outside of Canada for longer than 6 months in the last 5 years

Medical clearance

To get medical clearance, you must:

  • complete a vision test
  • undergo a pre-employment medical examination completed by a qualified medical practitioner/physician
  • provide a vaccination record
  • complete a 2-step Tuberculosis (TB) test

Pre-employment training program

If you are successful in the application, testing and interview stages, you will need to attend a 6-week pre-employment training program before you can work as a Youth Services Officer.

This training is delivered in a hybrid format, consisting of 2 weeks of virtual training followed by 4 weeks of in-person training at a government-designated facility.

You must successfully complete the program to receive an employment offer.

For participating in the pre-employment training program, you will receive a training stipend of $800.00 for each successfully completed week, totaling $4,800.00.

Conditional offer of employment

If you are successful in the recruitment process, you will receive the YSO Certificate of Completion and a Conditional Offer of Employment on graduation day.

New recruits then report to their designated facilities for facility orientation, which includes 200 hours of training and shadowing experienced Youth Services Officers before undertaking full responsibilities of employment.

Contact

Contact Youth Services Officer Recruitment staff if you have additional questions or need more information about the recruitment process.

By email:    
YSORecruitment@ontario.ca

By mail:    
Youth Services Officer Recruitment
Youth Justice Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
6711 Mississauga Road, Suite 700
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2W3