Youth Support Worker Jobs

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Youth Support Worker for our U-Turn/U-Link team. This temporary term-contract is proposed to start as soon as possible and end on August 31, 2024. This position requires BCGEU membership.

The youth who access the services have not experienced success in other residential settings; they have complex care needs that require supported family care living environments with a heightened level of support and supervision, and a range of specialized services. These youth have been exposed to risk-provoking environments, and present with a variety of disabilities, mental health issues, challenging behaviors and involvement in the criminal justice system. The Youth Support Worker is responsible for engaging the youth in one-to-one activities in the community that is aligned with the goals identified in their service plans, recognize their individual strengths and circumstances, and support their healthy development, and sense of success and well-being.

Please submit a resume and cover letter referencing the competition number 2023098YSW1. Closing date for Internal Applications: Friday, June 23, 2023, at 4:30PM. If the position is not filled internally, it will remain open until filled.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the Services Coordinator and Family Caregivers to support the goals identified in each youth's service plan. Develops and implements appropriate plans, strategies, and activities that will address their complex needs, strengthen their protective factors and provide a sense of belonging and stability.
• Provides close supervision and support in the community that will assist youth to achieve their individual goals, maintains their motivation to make safer choices, improve their behavior, develop new interests and connections, and feel successful.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Teaches life skills and community survival skills, provides emotional support and models acceptable behavior. Engages youth in acceptable recreational and social activities in the community that will build on their strengths, develop their interpersonal skills, and supports their involvement in their culture to strengthen their sense of identity. Supports youth towards integration and normative functioning in the community.
• Maintains on-going positive relationships with Family Caregivers and participates as part of the team responsible for improving the quality of life for the youth, addressing their individual strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences consistently, and supporting their healthy development.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures established by PLEA, and meets the performance expectations of the position in a manner that demonstrates compassion and respect for all persons served. Exercises the responsibilities of the position in a manner consistent with the philosophical approach and mandate of the program.
• Implements interventions that address the complex personal, social and health care needs of the youth, and recognizes the contextual dynamics they are experiencing. Provides opportunities to access and reconnect to available resources in the community that will enable and encourage youth to develop the necessary educational, personal, social, vocational and self-advocacy skills. Includes such community resources as an integral part of the youth’s case management plan.
• Maintains necessary program participant and program reports and statistics. Ensures that all records, reports, and documentation pertaining to service delivery are accurate, complete and in compliance with PLEA’s policies and procedures.
• Develops collaborative relationships with youths' families/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
• Responds to critical incidents and emergencies in current placements. Recognizes potential crises, analyzes these situations accurately and implements strategies to deal with them, and informs the manager when such situations arise. Provides on-call and duty coverage for the program.
• Establishes strong connections to the community, including maintaining close working relationships with all formal and informal service providers.

Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Work or volunteer experience in a residential care facility or foster home model program.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and familiarity with database programs.
• At least one (1) year recent experience working in programs with youth who are deemed to be high risk and have complex needs, and/or are involved in the criminal justice system, and their families/caregivers.
• Direct program delivery experience in the community social justice services sector, with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services is preferred.
• A Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences or human services or a related discipline.

Job Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others, enjoys the company of young people and can implement effective behavior management strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong collaborative relationships, work effectively as part of a team, use good judgment, manage conflicts constructively, work independently and be accountable for results.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, counseling, and conflict management skills, including a demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive written reports.
• Good understanding of relevant Criminal Justice Legislation and policies, the role of Youth Court, Child Welfare Legislation and policies including the Child, Family, and Community Service Act; Foster Care and Residential Standards; and applicable government legislation, regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Excellent organizational, time and general management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop supportive relationships with youth and their families/caregivers who may be reluctant to engage, and to be sensitive and understanding of their social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, poverty, and lifestyle.
• Knowledge of theory, principles and best practices with respect to providing services to youth with who are high risk, and have complex care needs, and their families/caregivers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in teaching others and an ability to work collaboratively with families/caregivers and networks that provide support to youth.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships based on mutual respect and trust with a range of different individuals and groups in the community.

Requirements:

• Our funding contracts require that successful applicants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date.
• The usual hours of work in this position are based on a Sunday to Thursday flextime scheduling arrangement, including days, evenings and weekends, based on 35 working hours per week.
• Satisfactory Centralized Services Hub screening by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• Documentation that the applicant is legally approved to work in Canada.
• 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.
• Use of Personal Vehicle. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.

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.