Youth Worker

Status: Casual

This is a casual position. As such, there is no specific or guaranteed schedule associated with the position. Shifts are offered on an as-needed basis, in accordance with operational requirements and the applicable Collective Agreement. Employees may be contacted to fill available shifts based on their availability and operational needs.

Schedule: Various

Location: Healing House, Surrey, BC

Hourly Wage: $33.49 - $35.31

Job Summary:

Join our team of dedicated health professionals to support youth and young adults ages 17 to 24 identifying as female. Set in a peaceful quiet neighbourhood, 3 blocks from the beach, in sunny White Rock, this setting is ideal for those who love the outdoors! You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge and skills to support individuals who may have experienced mental health, physical health, trauma, family/cultural disconnection and substance use. The program utilizes a two-eyed seeing approach, weaving Indigenous cultural traditions of healing with western medicine to build a program that is holistic, healing and flexible for the unique individual needs of participants. The program operates under a harm-reduction lens to support individuals in learning what healing, wellness and treatment mean for each participant.

Our focus will be community-driven, both within the program itself by establishing a sense of community between participants and employees (eating meals, participating in activities and healing practices such as yoga/meditation, going on walks together). We will also be connecting individuals to resources within the community – both in Surrey, and individuals home communities. There will be a focus on land-based healing practices, adventure therapy and skill building.

Typical Duties:

• Community outreach within the Maple Ridge area, connecting with youth that are not accessing services and are in need of supports obtaining community services (mental health, physical health, addictions, criminal justice issues, employment, finances, housing, education and/or other needs defined by the youth)
• Ability to work later hours and weekends to connect with youth.
• Navigating, liaising and effectively communicating with services for youth in Maple Ridge and advocating for supports on their behalf.
• Supporting youth in obtaining and attending appointments to connect with GP/NPs and other health professionals.
• Supporting youth with dealing with Criminal Justice System (probation, court attendance, etc.)
• Working with other on developing a restorative justice approach for youth.

• Ensures the implementation of the programs including, leisure activities, cooking, housekeeping and maintenance tasks by engaging the clients daily life skills activities.
• Provides community based Psycho social rehabilitation services by, identifying and supporting clients in accessing and developing links into community programs and services.
• Teaches and models life skills and strategies necessary for self care, independent living and interaction with outside social agencies.
• Applies a range of effective communications strategies such as role modelling to establish a collaborative rapport with the clients.
• Provides the support and information necessary to help clients build self-esteem and develop decision- making skills through role modelling and other techniques.
• Assists clients to identify and gain access to formal and informal community supports such as leisure, vocational, educational services through active community integration; providing community services resources of community services.
• Observes and records the physical and mental health status of clients and take necessary action.
• Advocates for and with the clients to encourage them to maintain their rights and dignity.
• Works with clients, peers, supervisors, other agencies and relatives in a cooperative and professional manner.
• Develops individualized life skills programs with clients involving, where appropriate, family, friends and community resources.
• Ensures all requirements of the QWIK process and administrative tasks are completed within the allocated timeframes.
• Uses formal and informal assessment practices such as interviews to develop individual plans identifying the client’s areas of interest and need.
• Distributes medications safely in accordance with medication policies and procedures.
• Ensures the implementation of the program’s maintenance, housekeeping and cooking tasks.
• Reports and addresses health and safety issues/concerns as they arise.
• Performs administrative tasks, as assigned.
• Maintains records as required.
• Fulfills any other functions/duties that may develop in conjunction with the above.
• May be asked to direct students and volunteers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Community Social Service Work, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work
• Recent, related experience of two years
• Ability to provide/obtain the following upon hire:
• Certificates in First Aid + CPR, WHMIS and FoodSafe
• Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Clearance
• BCDL Class 5
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention training, or equivalent
• TB Clearance
• Immunization Records
• BCDL - Class 5, & copy of Drivers Abstract

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of housing issues local and community resources
• Firm understanding of harm reduction approach and its implementation in a community based setting.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis de-escalation skills applied in a team setting
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who are marginalized, under served and who may be at risk of homelessness or homeless.
• Demonstrated ability working with individuals living with substance misuse issues and or an untreated mental illness.
• Understanding of a trauma informed approach
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation practices
• Knowledge of program policy and procedures
• Knowledge and proficiency in relevant software
• Ability to work with clients living with mental illness
• A good understanding of the issues related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups.
• Some knowledge of the criminal justice system

About Coast
Coast Mental Health (Coast) is one of the largest mental health non-profit societies in Canada and operates a large array of innovative housing and community-based rehabilitation services for people with a mental illness living in and around Vancouver. Coast operates in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia providing approximately 1000 people with supportive housing and 4000 clients living in the community with a wide variety of programs and services.

Coast fosters a client-driven, recovery-oriented environment that promotes restoring health, personal growth and a return to society for individuals with a mental illness through advocacy and providing direct programs and services. Coast is deeply invested in cultural safety, reconciliation, and anti-racism. Our employees receive training on cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and inclusive leadership. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and value lived experience alongside professional qualifications.

Why Coast

• We recognize safety as a top priority for the organization.
• We believe in our people and recognize hard work.
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
• We offer a variety of work placement opportunities within the organization.
• We strive to be the best that we can be.
• We hold Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada.
• We have been recognized with numerous awards for our innovative programming.
• We care about our employees, and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization

Some of the Benefits we Offer

• 100% employer-paid benefits for employees and their families.
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Group Life, Massage therapy, Physiotherapy, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
• General sick-leave accruals.
• Long-term disability programs. Short-term disability programs available to exempt positions only.
• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year.
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program, which includes personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching. In addition, Coast provides a cognitive behavioural therapy program (CBT abilities program) and Headversity for managing a variety of life issues and includes self-paced therapeutic support.
• Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire. More information can be found at: https://mpp.pensionsbc.ca.

***For any unionized positions, current/internal Coast employees must apply within seven (7) days of the posting date with their internal UKG account (using their Coast email address), in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Current/internal Coast employees who apply to a unionized position using an external account (or email), or after the seven (7) day deadline will be considered an external candidate. In this case, seniority will not be considered.***

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.