JOB OPPORTUNITY: Haven Evening Youth Worker – PT Friday to Monday

Haven Overnight Youth Worker - PT Friday to Monday Competition #34-22

ABOUT DIRECTIONS YOUTH SERVICES

Directions believes in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. For many youths, home is not a place of safety or belonging. We strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions is committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome. 

Directions Youth Services provides 24/7 support to assist youth under the age of 25 to connect with supports, get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues, and transition to more permanent housing. Directions runs 12+ programs inclusive of shelter and drop-in, safe houses, detox and other unique programs for youth throughout Vancouver and employs more than 220 passionate, team members.

Directions is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community

JOB SUMMARY

This is a Permanent Part-time (32 hours per week) position currently available.

This position is located at our undisclosed Youth Haven location which is a voluntary residential program for at-risk youth aged 16 – 19 years of all genders, who need a safe place to stay. The program accepts intakes 24/7, providing immediate support for basic needs, connections to longer term services, youth-led goal achievement and service planning in a supportive, welcoming, low barrier environment. Staff work collaboratively with a shift partner to provide responsive care for the youth and the resource and reports to the Program Manager.

Hours of work: Friday to Monday 3/330 to 11/1130

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct preliminary screening and intake assessments, referring individuals to more appropriate services where necessary
• Establish rapport, and initiate, develop, and maintain supportive and trusting relationships with youth accessing the programs.
• In conjunction with youth’s service plan, assist in navigating services as appropriate; work collaboratively to advocate for clients, and assists in comprehensive referral processes
• Plan, encourage and facilitate youth participation in appropriate recreational, cultural, social and/or educational activities
• Participate in service plan review providing observations and input, and where appropriate conduct follows up on service plans and restrictions
• Participate in and represent the agency at community events and tables as appropriate
• Participate in and support training and evaluation of practicum students and trainees
• Inform and support individual service plans for youth
• Monitor and ensure the safety and comfort of youth and the security of the facility by following all protocols
• Recognize and respond to potential conflicts by utilizing non-violent crisis intervention skills, and initiate a debrief where appropriate
• Maintain and ensure consistency in required documentation and financial records
• Maintain facility upkeep including cleaning, laundry, and inventory and restocking of supplies
• Performs other related duties as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, training and experience:

• Diploma in a related human / social service field
• 2 years related experience with emphasis on homelessness, mental health, addictions, and/or social services
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to engage in client-centered change by establishing respectful relationships and increasing client motivation for positive change and ability to observe and recognize change in clients
• Ability to initiate and influence case management and creatively support complex decision-making
• Ability to share best practices with more junior staff and lead in circumstances where required
• Knowledge of the systematic issues that affect low income and marginalized people and relevant community, social and health resources, and government services and systems.
• Knowledge of low barrier resources, harm reduction model, adolescent development, alcohol and drug use issues, mental health issues, sexually exploited youth, and street-involved activities
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients and apply personal self care principles
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, maintain calm and tactful composure under a broad range of challenging circumstances, and adjust your approach in changing conditions
• Ability to work alone and also cooperatively and productively within a culturally diverse environment and maintain the highest professional standards of ethics and confidentiality
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing across a range of technologies
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations and aggressive behaviour, and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioral management techniques
• Maintain current knowledge of issues, best practices, and available resources

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of criminal record check
• Negative TB skin test
• Current First Aid, Food Safe Level 1, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certificates are an asset.
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required 

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Directions Youth Services offers purposeful careers, serving the most vulnerable members of our community. This role offers you the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community.

We support career development and training for staff to reach their potential and offer mentorship and professional advancement in a supportive environment. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, wellness and a safe, inclusive and welcoming workplace that values diversity and respect for all.

Salary/Pay Grade: 8, Step 1   $40,884.48 gross per year

Hours: 32 hours per week Friday to Monday 3/330 to 11/1130

Start Date: ASAP

Closing Date: Posting will remain open until closed

Benefits:

Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time) and growing to more +

Three (3) paid household leave days a year (pro-rated for part-time employees)

One paid Wellness Day a year

Paid sick pay

A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time)

Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)

One paid Moving Day/year

Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)

Health and Welfare benefits (if applicable):

Generous group health/dental benefits after 3 months.

Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need

Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)

Employee Assistance Plan

Long Term Disability Plan

Group Life Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

Pension:

Pension plan enrollment after 12 months

TO APPLY

If this describes you, please submit your application to us through our website. Interviews will be scheduled on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Thank you for your interest.

We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the communities we so proudly serve, while encompassing the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations including queer, trans, and two-spirit people. In our words and actions, we recognize the challenges for those facing inequalities, while acknowledging our privilege, as we continuously strive to remove bias and reduce barriers that individuals may experience in the hiring and job-seeking process. We invite feedback from all applicants who apply for roles with the Agency.

If you require a disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email your resume and cover letter (indicating the competition number #34-22 in email subject line) outlining your interest and relevant experience to your contact information to for follow-up. **if you are an internal candidate, please indicate “Internal Candidate” in the Comments section at the bottom of the online application**