Are you looking for a rewarding career working with youth to ensure each youth is equipped to live their lives as independently and as successfully as possible? If so, here is an amazing opportunity for you! This position requires BCGEU membership and is open to all genders.

 Who we’re looking for:

We are seeking ten (10) Casual On-Call Youth Care Workers to join our three staffed resources located in Maple Ridge and Burnaby.

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. 

It’s an exciting time to join us!  We are expanding the program that provides care to youth with moderate to severe behavioural challenges and assists them to live successfully in residential settings.

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 in this role:

1. Monitor youth in residential settings and ensure their safety and well-being. Recognize, analyse, and deal with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the youth and/or the public. Identify and reports critical incidents to their manager. Comply with youth safety plans.
2. Ensure effective communication and coordination between the Family Caregiver, internal staff, and the youth. Liaise with external stakeholders such as the school, family, and the community, where appropriate.
3. Provide feedback to the youth on their behaviour, teach coping techniques and adaptive behaviour strategies, and provide guidance and support to youth on a one-to-one and/or group basis.
4. Teach youth to relate in a socially appropriate manner through the use of daily routines and activities. Provide life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance as required by their service plans.
5. Participate in various youth-focused activities in accordance with the youth’s service plan.
6. Participate in the assessment, goal setting and program planning (service plan) for youth living in a residence. Document, implement and provide input into the evaluation of the youth’s progress.
7. Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to youth in accordance with established policy.
8. Coordinate, schedule and accompany youth to appointments and community outings.
9. Perform residence/program maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and meal preparation.
10. Maintain reports such as statistics, logbooks, and case notes on daily activities with youth.
11. Assist the youth in self-administering medication in accordance with established policy.
12. Protect and uphold confidentiality.
13. Perform other related duties as required.

Why join our team:

• Education, training, and wellness allowances.
• Gifts and awards for long service.
• A number of agency-sponsored social events, including a summer barbeque, annual holiday party, and team days each year!

What you bring to the table:

1. Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective relationships with youth, Family Caregivers, internal staff, professionals and families.
2. Effective de-escalation, crisis management and problem-solving skills.
3. Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.
4. Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, make sound decisions and follow service and safety plans in high pressure situations.
5. Effective time management and organizational skills.
6. Effective oral and written communication skills.
7. 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.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.

The minimum requirements for education and experience:

1. Diploma (6o credits/two years) in a related human/social services field.
2. Six (6) or more months of recent related experience.
3. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.

Other job requirements:

1. Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
2. Satisfactory Centralized Services Hub Clearance by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
3. Must possess a valid Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
4. The candidate may be required to complete a Tuberculosis Screening Test prior to the start of employment. 
5. A valid B.C. Driver's License (Class 5 or Class 7), and suitable driver's abstract.
6. Documentation that the applicant is legally approved to work in Canada.
7. Our funding contracts require that successful applicants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date.
8. Selected candidates must provide their availability to their manager by the fifteen (15th) of each month for the following calendar month. Casual employees will be available as per the requirements detailed in their letter of employment and include as part of their availability at least:
   a. Ten 8-hour shifts per month, four of which must be overnight shifts; and
   b. One of the peak periods each year: June 1 to August 31, March spring break, or December 24 to January 2.
   Day shifts occur from 8:00AM-4:00PM, evening shifts occur from 4:00PM-12:00AM, and overnight shifts occur from 12:00AM-8:00AM.

Please submit a resume and cover letter referencing the competition number 2023076YCW10. Closing date for Internal Applications: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 4:30PM.

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.