Position Type: Full-Time Permanent 

Hours of Work per week: 35 hours

Salary range: $61,532.00 to $71,656.00 per annum

Benefits: we offer generous group employee benefits which includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, EAP, premium fully paid by organization
• Life and disability insurance
• Defined Contribution Pension plan with employer matching up to 6% based on length of service
• Generous paid time off (Vacation, Sick and Float days)
• Pregnancy/ Parental leave top-up
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Access to employee perks and discounts 

Union Position: This position is represented by OPSEU local 567. 

ABOUT US

Strides Toronto Support Services (“Strides Toronto”) Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency supporting infants, children, youth and young adults from birth to age 29, and their families, primarily across east Toronto. We offer community-based, residential and treatment programs—including mental health counselling, autism services, early intervention, day treatment, education, outreach and community support—using a client-centered, evidence-informed approach. Since 2015, Strides Toronto has served as Toronto’s Lead Agency for Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health, partnering with 21 core service providers to provide system leadership, citywide planning, coordinated service delivery and program alignment. Strides Toronto also leads initiatives with broader reach, including Help Ahead and the HOPE Strategy across Toronto and One Stop Talk/Parlons Maintenant and the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program across Ontario.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an existing vacancy for a Full-Time Permanent Service Navigator position that provides intake, screening, resource matching, and service navigation support to children, youth, and their families experiencing mental health challenges. The role ensures timely, efficient, and coordinated access to appropriate services and supports.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Connect with the child/youth and family to gather relevant intake information to match clinical need to the most appropriate agency and service.
• Determine level of risk or urgency of service needs using established triage tool and respond accordingly.
• Educate families about mental health and relevant Toronto services and facilitate their understanding, engagement and support of the agreed upon agency destination and recommended program for their referral match.  
• Complete intake and screening to match clients to appropriate mental-health services based on their presenting needs, support informed decision-making with the child/youth and family, and facilitate referrals to the selected programs.
• Demonstrate up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge of  Child, and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) providers and allied sector resources to facilitate informed navigation and referral matching.
• Regularly review the program inventory, agency websites, and resource materials from Core Service Providers and allied sectors to maintain current knowledge of available services.
• Ensure all client information is documented accurately, completely, and within required timelines in accordance with organizational policies, guidelines, and accreditation standards.

THE “MUST HAVES”

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role: 

• Completion of a Degree or Diploma in a Human Services–related field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Counselling, Social Service Work).
• Three to five years of related experience working with children, youth, and families in mental-health or allied sectors.
• Strong knowledge of child and youth mental-health disorders, symptom presentation, and developmental considerations.
• Familiarity with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and its application in understanding mental-health presentations.
• Trained in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and managing safety concerns.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive service delivery, and strengths-based approaches.
• Strong time-management, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Knowledge of specialized service areas (e.g., transitional-age youth resources, developmental services, crisis supports).
• Awareness of the role of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• An understanding of anti-black racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health.
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Membership in a relevant professional regulatory body (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO) would be an asset.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:

• A Vulnerable Sector police check or Broad Record Check.
• A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with Strides Toronto.  The Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of making a decision on suitability for employment in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.  

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• We provide a hybrid work model and competitive Group Health Benefits and Pension Plan. 
• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our diverse team members and clients can thrive.
• We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is March 18, 2026.

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.  Strides Toronto is a participant in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, a program which challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples to  increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.  

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.