Youth Care Worker (Regular Full-Time)

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Regular Full-Time Youth Care Worker for our Lighthouse team. The proposed start date for this position is August 7, 2023. This position requires BCGEU membership.

The Lighthouse program provides care to youth with moderate to severe behavioural challenges and assists them to live successfully in residential settings. The Youth Care Worker ensures that the youth's physical, emotional, social, educational, and medical needs are met. The Youth Care Worker assists youth to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills.

Position Type: Regular Full-Time

Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Hours of Work: The usual hours of work in this position are Tuesday to Saturday from 4:00PM to 12:00AM, based on 40 working hours per week.

Minimum Requirements: a Diploma (6o credits/two years) in a related human/social services field, and six (6) or more months of recent related experience.

Who We Are:

PLEA is an accredited, not-for-profit, charitable community services agency that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver high quality, innovative services to children, youth, adults, and families facing significant challenges in their lives. PLEA is an ally in reconciliation. The organization is committed to providing culturally safe programs and continuing to work towards breaking down the barriers that cause harm to Indigenous people and communities.

What You Will Do:

• Monitors youth in residential settings and ensures their safety and well-being. Recognizes, analyses, and deals with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the youth and/or the public. Identifies and reports critical incidents to their manager. Complies with youth safety plans.
• Assists the youth in self-administering medication in accordance with established policy.
• Coordinates, schedules and accompanies youth to appointments and community outings.
• Participates in the assessment, goal setting and program planning (service plan) for youth living in a residence. Documents, implements and provides input into the evaluation of the youth’s progress.
• Protects and upholds confidentiality.
• Maintains reports such as statistics, logbooks, and case notes on daily activities with youth.
• Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to youth in accordance with established policy.
• Ensures effective communication and coordination between the Family Caregiver, internal staff, and the youth. Liaises with external stakeholders such as the school, family, and the community, where appropriate.
• Participates in various youth-focused activities in accordance with the youth’s service plan.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Provides feedback to the youth on their behaviour, teaches coping techniques and adaptive behaviour strategies, and provides guidance and support to youth on a one-to-one and/or group basis.
• Teaches youth to relate in a socially appropriate manner through the use of daily routines and activities. Provides life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance as required by their service plans.
• Performs residence/program maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and meal preparation.

What You Will Bring:

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective relationships with youth, Family Caregivers, internal staff, professionals and families.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, make sound decisions and follow service and safety plans in high pressure situations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive and understanding of individuals’ social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty and lifestyle.
• Effective de-escalation, crisis management and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.

PLEA Benefits and Perks:

• Perkopolis Membership - exclusive managed discount, reward, and benefits programs.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – confidential and voluntary counselling support services and wellness resources.
• Agency-Sponsored Social Events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days).
• Employee Recognition Program (i.e., long service awards).
• Education and Training Fund
• Physical Activity Fund
• Discounted Membership Fees for Club 16 Trevor Linden and She’s Fit.

Additional Requirements:

• A valid B.C. Driver's License (Class 5 or Class 7), and suitable driver's abstract.
• Must possess a valid Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
• Our funding contracts require that successful applicants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date.
• The candidate may be required to complete a Tuberculosis Screening Test prior to the start of employment.
• Documentation that the applicant is legally approved to work in Canada.
• Satisfactory Centralized Services Hub Clearance by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Please submit a resume and cover letter referencing the competition number 2023108YCW1. Closing date for Internal Applications: Friday, July 7, 2023 at 4:30PM. If the positions are not filled internally, they will remain open until filled.

Note: PLEA conducts primary source verification of applicant's credentials including education, training, work history, and licensure.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.