Youth Support Practitioner

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Youth Support Practitioner

Full Time Term Position - March 2027

Location: Thompson, Manitoba

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and highly motivated Youth Support Practitioner to provide individualized support to youth and young adults throughout the Thompson region.

This position will be delivered through a secondment agreement, supporting collaborative youth-focused initiatives and strengthening access to community services and resources. The incumbent will report directly to the Boys and Girls Club Director of Programs and Community Impact.

The Youth Support Practitioner
will work directly with young people, families, and community partners to help youth overcome personal, social, financial, and other barriers that may affect their wellbeing, independence, and future opportunities.

The position emphasizes relationship-based mentorship, youth advocacy, individualized support planning, and community resource coordination. The successful candidate will use strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches to provide meaningful, non-clinical support within appropriate professional boundaries.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, relationship-based mentorship, guidance, and practical support to youth and young adults throughout the Thompson region.
• Identify social, emotional, financial, personal, and practical barriers through collaborative youth needs assessments.
• Develop individualized support plans, establish participant goals, coordinate referrals, and monitor progress.
• Support youth experiencing challenges with engagement, personal wellbeing, stability, or access to community resources.
• Provide non-clinical emotional support and promote confidence, independence, resilience, and positive relationships.
• Recognize signs of distress and connect youth with appropriate mental health professionals and community services.
• Support youth in developing healthy routines, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and greater independence.
• Assist youth in identifying personal strengths, interests, and future goals.
• Develop positive working relationships with families, caregivers, community organizations, and service providers.
• Advocate for appropriate accommodations, resources, and support services that respond to individual needs.
• Assist youth and families in navigating barriers related to transportation, housing, food security, financial assistance, and access to services.
• Coordinate referrals and maintain strong working relationships with Indigenous organizations, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, integrated youth wellness services, and other community-based support agencies.
• Collaborate with community partners to strengthen access to coordinated youth services and reduce gaps in available supports.
• Support workshops and activities focused on life skills, healthy relationships, financial literacy, personal development, and employment readiness.
• Encourage participation in Indigenous cultural programming, land-based learning, mentorship, and community activities.
• Assist youth in accessing training, employment opportunities, and other community-based resources that support their individual goals.
• Maintain accurate and confidential participant records, support plans, case notes, and referral documentation.
• Monitor participant progress and contribute to program reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Identify emerging youth needs and service gaps and communicate recommendations to appropriate leadership.
• Participate in staff meetings, collaborative planning, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, and uphold confidentiality and safeguarding requirements.
• Other related duties as assigned.
• MKO is a political advocacy organization that works to represent the leadership and member First Nations. All staff at MKO may be given other duties as assigned that enable MKO to fulfill the mandate and responsibility to its member communities.

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Social Work, Social Services, Child and Youth Care, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field.
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or comparable professional qualification is strongly preferred.
• Registered to a professional regulating body such as Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW) preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum three years of experience supporting youth, young adults, or families facing social, personal, financial, or employment-related barriers.
• Demonstrated experience in individualized support planning, case management, youth advocacy, and community resource coordination.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, Indigenous organizations, and community service providers.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and person-centred practices.
• Experience working with First Nations youth and communities, with an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing Northern Manitoba.
• Knowledge of community resources, social services, youth development practices, and available support systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, advocacy, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational, documentation, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Sound professional judgment and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office 365, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and respond sensitively to complex youth needs.
• Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence.
• Must be able to provide a satisfactory and current Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector check), Child Abuse Registry Check, and Adult Abuse Registry Check.
• First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, and travel locally as required.
• A sensitivity to and understanding of First Nations cultures, languages, histories, and issues relevant to Indigenous communities.
  

Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience

Interested applicants are invited to submit their cover letter identifying the position applying for and resume, along with 3 professional reference listings (include a most recent employer reference) by 4:00 p.m. on November 9, 2026.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Preference will be given to qualified First Nation applicants; applicants are encouraged to self-declare in their resume or cover letter. No phone calls will be accepted.

Incorporated in 1981 as the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Indigenous, and human rights for citizens of the 26 sovereign First Nations we represent. The MKO First Nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10.

Please visit our website at mkonation.com