Community Youth Worker Jobs

Requisition ID: 39226

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Community Youth Worker (CYW) is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, promoting and implementing a community based youth services program in partnership with site programming staff and community members.

CYWs focus on two main activities in youth work: Youth Development (direct work with youth and their families) and Community Outreach/Development (working with the community, community programs and services on youth issues and interests). The CYW carries considerable responsibility to ensure that youth programs and the youth spaces in their community centre run effectively, safely and successfully. In addition, organizationally, CYWs have a supervisory and administrative function. Each of the main activities has a series of components.

A CYW exercises independent judgement on coordination and implementation of approved youth activities and the provision of guidance and resource referral services. Difficult or unusual problems are discussed with a supervisor. The development of new programs by the CYW occurs in consultation with the community and programming staff as needed, and with the final approval by the Centre Supervisor and the Community Youth Development Coordinator

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Builds partnerships with service providers and Indigenous service providers
• Works collaboratively with community agencies, schools, and services to examine systemic youth issues that need to be addressed by individual agencies or by the collective energy of the youth services hubs. Advocates and plans systemically to ensure all Vancouver youth have their basic needs met. Advocacy may require challenging existing practices and procedures of agencies, schools or government.
• Focuses on systemic planning and strategies that connect youth to the community centre and the broader community.
• Places youth in volunteer positions in the centre, community, and schools. Support youth as they build their individual capacity as leaders. Create opportunities for youth leadership of programs. Support youth to recommend and initiate program changes and to engage with the Centre and Park Board in community youth development policy
• Works with colleagues in the community centre, on the YWAT (Youth Worker Action Team) and in project teams to ensure effective, innovative, responsive community youth development.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
• Meets youth where they are at in the community and connect and build relationships with vulnerable youth in the community and connect them back to their community centre and their community.
• Supports programs that develop health, fitness, sports, arts, culture, social skills and relationships
• Trains, mentors, schedules and supervises volunteers and Program Assistants to ensure adequate staffing for youth programs and spaces including special events, leadership camps and summer playgrounds.
• Regularly reports on current youth programs, services and issues.
• Initiates, participates and provides leadership in the youth service hubs.
• Finds strategic ways to connect youth to decision-making infrastructures that affect their lives. Works with the Park Board, the Community Centre Associations, the schools and community agencies in support of youth as community builders and active community members
• Works cooperatively with community agencies and services to identify marginalized/vulnerable/unconnected youth; includes youth in community centre programs and advocate for services and the transformation of services on their behalf.
• Ensures basic needs of youth are met by one-to-one, outreach, advocacy, problem and crisis intervention, food, shelter, safety, and conflict resolution with individual youth and often their family.
• Supports individual youth to be integrated in the community centre, community programs and school. Works with community programs, services and schools to transform programs to support the development of individual youth and to support family members where appropriate.
• Provides focused support to particular youth in community centre programs, encouraging participation in order to build relationships between youth. Assists in social development and improving group dynamics. Identify systemic barriers to participation and work with colleagues to address these concerns.
• Aligns youth programs with the needs and interests of youth. Facilitates development and implementation of programs to meet emerging youth needs and interests. Aligns program development, cultural needs and the Park Board Strategic Plan.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary graduation from a recognized program in child and youth care, social services or a related discipline and experience related to the work.
• A current and valid Food Safe Level 1 certification is an asset

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to advocate for spaces and staffing within a community centre setting for youth during the times that youth frequent the facility.
• Ability to complete risk assessments on recreation programs for youth
• Ability to act as a resource person for youth by providing general guidance on a wide variety of topics and to advise on the availability and appropriateness of various youth serving agencies and community resources.
• Ability to instruct and participate in youth programs.
• Ability to plan, promote and supervise youth programs and excursions for the general purpose of increasing constructive participation in activities; and the ability to effectively collaborate with recreational personnel.
• Ability to recruit, instruct, supervise and direct the work of full-time and part-time group leaders, part-time staff and volunteers involved in youth recreation programs.
• Ability to maintain close working relationships with a wide variety of contacts including parents, relatives, and agencies engaged in youth services; supports the youth services hubs.
• Ability to maintain a variety of operating and administrative records, requisitions, materials and equipment within specified limits; and has the ability to oversee the collection and record keeping of fees and expenditures.
• Ability to advocate for youth in certain situations and assist in facilitating access to services and supports.
• Ability to maintain statistical, financial and clerical records and write reports.
• Ability to identify, recommend and seek approval for youth recreation programs based on input from youth, demographic data and practice/theory based understandings of youth needs in their community.

Driver’s License And Record Checks

• Ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. A Class 4 Unrestricted BC Drivers License is considered an asset.
• A Police Record Check is a requirement of this position. A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: September, 2023

Position End Date: April, 2024

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-020: $32.87 to $38.68 per hour

Application Close: August 18, 2023

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.