Youth Worker – Dusk to Dawn Program

Directions Youth Services 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. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health, or substance issues. Our teams 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' inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses, and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Working within the mission, vision, values, and person-centered philosophy of the Agency, the Dusk to Dawn program works to support youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the 24-hour Directions Youth Services Centre. The Youth Worker – Dusk to Dawn position is a part-time salaried role that serves youth who are unhoused, precariously housed, or sleeping rough, 24 years of age and under, struggle with substance use, face mental health challenges, are neurodiverse, are sexually exploited, have criminal involvement, and/or are in crisis. This position takes a leadership role in maintaining the safety of the resource and acts in a mentoring role with Peers and Youth Support Workers. This position reports to the Dusk to Dawn Supervisor. The position actively supports the Agency’s awareness and goals around diversity, inclusion justice, and equity.

Our Valued Benefits:

• Flexible scheduling
• Starting at 3 weeks’ vacation for full-time staff (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• 3 paid household leave days a year (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• 2 paid Wellness Days a year
• Paid sick days
• 2 1/2 paid Agency days for full-time staff (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• 5 paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time staff)
• 1 paid Moving Day/year
• Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)
• A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Health and Wellness Resources:

• Generous health/dental benefits after 3 months.
• 3 flex benefit options to meet your individualized needs
• Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Manulife Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

Pension:

Municipal Pension Plan enrollment for eligible employees

Work Hours:

Friday and Saturday 3:45 pm - 11:45 pm; Sunday 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (21 hours/week)

Salary:

GS8 Step 1 $26.85 per hour

Location:

1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

Posting End Date:

Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:

• 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 the youth’s service plan, assist in navigating services as appropriate; work collaboratively to advocate for clients, and assists in comprehensive referral processes
• Participate in service plan review providing observations and input, and where appropriate conduct follows up on service plans and restrictions
• Participate in and support training and evaluation of practicum students and trainees
• 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 facility upkeep including cleaning, laundry, and inventory and restocking of supplies

Education, Training, Experience:

• Diploma in a related human/social service field
• Minimum 1 year of work experience with an emphasis on homelessness, mental health, substance use, and/or social services
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Current First Aid Certificate
• Lived experience is considered an asset

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 deal effectively with conflict situations, maintain calm and tactful composure under a broad range of challenging circumstances, and adjust your approach in changing conditions

Additional Requirements:

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training an asset
• Food Safe Certification is an asset
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check

Working Conditions:

• 24-hour crisis response resource centre

If this describes you, please submit your application to us through our website, https://fsgv.ca/careers/