Youth Care Worker (Temporary Full-Time)

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Youth Care Worker for our Lighthouse team located in Maple Ridge, BC. This temporary contract is proposed to start on September 29, 2026 and will end upon the return of the incumbent. The temporary contract is estimated to be 12 months in duration with the possibility of extension. This position requires BCGEU membership.

The Youth Care Worker provides care to youth with moderate to severe behavioural challenges, and assists them to live healthily and successfully in a staffed resource home. The employee will ensure that the youth’s physical, emotional, social, educational and medical needs are met, and introduce fun and fulfilling new routines and activities.

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. The employee is required to remain at work during meal periods; therefore, the employee will be paid during their 30-minute lunch break.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Diploma (60 credits/two years) in a related human/social services field.
• Over six (6) months of recent related experience.

Demonstrated equivalencies will be considered. The equivalencies for the Youth Care Worker position are:

• 1 year of college education + over 2.5 years of work experience; or
• 0 years of college education + over 4.5 year of work experience.

Closing date for Internal Applications: The deadline for internal applications has now passed and we are welcoming applications from external candidates.

Who We Are:

PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community-based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual’s diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve to overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives.

What You Will Do:

• Monitor youth in residential settings and ensure their safety and well-being. Recognize, analyze, and deal with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the youth and/or the public. Identify and report critical incidents to their manager. Comply with youth safety plans.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between the Family Caregiver, internal staff, and the youth. Liaise with external partners such as the school, family, and the community, where appropriate.
• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in various youth-focused activities in accordance with the youth’s service plan.
• Participate in the assessment, goal setting and program planning (service plan) for youth living in a staffed resource home. Document, implement and provide input into the evaluation of the youth’s progress.
• Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to youth in accordance with established policy.
• Coordinate, schedule, and accompany youth to appointments and community outings.
• Perform residence/program maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and meal preparation.
• Maintain reports such as statistics, logbooks, and case notes on daily activities with youth.
• Assist the youth in self-administering medication in accordance with established policy.
• Protect and uphold confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What You Will Bring:

• Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective relationships with youth, Family Caregivers, internal staff, professionals and families.
• Effective de-escalation, crisis management and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, make sound decisions and follow service and safety plans in high pressure situations.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Effective oral and written communication 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.

PLEA Benefits and Perks:

• Eligibility to enroll in health/welfare benefits on the first day of the month following the completion of the probation period, including access to the annual physical activity fund (for fitness-related items or activities) and the annual education fund (to take part in career-related courses or training events).
• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): counselling support services and wellness resources for employees and their immediate family members.
• Discounted gym membership at Club 16 Trevor Linden and She's Fit.
• Perkopolis membership: an exclusive discount program for a variety of products and services (clothes, furniture, dining, auto, events, etc.).
• Agency-Sponsored Social Events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days).

PLEA offers the Municipal Pension Plan to eligible employees as per the plan’s criteria.

Minimum Requirements:

• Satisfactory Consolidated Criminal Record Clearance (CCRC) through the Ministry of Children and Family Development's Centralized Services HUB.
• Willingness to complete a Tuberculosis Screening Test prior to the start of employment.
• Must possess a valid Basic First Aid certificate (formerly OFA Level 1) or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 or 7N B.C. Driver's License and suitable driver's abstract/claims history. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland.
• Documentation that the applicant is legally authorized to work on an ongoing basis in Canada.

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