PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Regular Full-Time Youth Development Worker for our Vancouver Coastal Youth Services - Onyx team located in Vancouver, BC. The proposed start date for this position is as soon as possible. This position requires BCGEU membership.
The Youth Development Worker is responsible for providing immediate support to youth who have experience sexual exploitation and need support exiting from the sex trade or sexually exploitive relationships. Such immediate support would include health services, detox, living space, and one-to-one support in the community. They will implement interventions, develop service plans, and assist the youth in meeting their goals. These are voluntary support services.
Hours of Work: The usual hours of work in this position are Sunday to Thursday based on a flextime scheduling arrangement, including days and evenings, of 35 working hours per week. Flextime scheduling arrangements allow employees to pick the start/end times of their shifts to meet client needs. Shifts must include the program's core hours of 1PM to 3PM (the daily straight-time maximum is 10 hours).
Education/Experience Requirements:
- A Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences or human services or a related discipline.
- One (1) year of recent experience working in programs with youth who are deemed to be high risk with complex care needs, and their families/caregivers.
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:
- Develop positive relationships with youth that will provide them with the emotional support and practical assistance required to address their strengths, needs and circumstances, achieve their personal goals, and increase their protective factors.
- Plan and implement interventions that address the immediate safety needs of the youth referred, and the issues they present in the five domains (individual, family, peers, school/employment and community) of their lives using a positive youth development approach.
- Develop collaborative relationships with youth's family/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
- Provide a range of services including assessment and planning, primary support, conflict mediation, facilitating connections to natural support systems and assistance in accessing community supports and specialized services.
- Develop, implement, and coordinate service plans and resources designed to ensure that youth's individual needs are met. Participate in case planning and management for each young person and provide ongoing consultation as required.
- Facilitate access to community resources and specialized services when required by youth and their families/caregivers to ensure they receive services that are integrated, timely and meet their identified needs. Include formal and informal support systems as an integral part of all work with youth and their families.
- Participate in Integrated Case Management planning processes, function as the key worker for youth on a team of professionals when required, and provide ongoing coordination of services to youth and their families/caregivers. Work closely with Ministry personnel to ensure the safety and well being of youth served, and that case management objectives are met.
- Assist youth to meet the goals identified in their Youth Agreements. These may include, but are not limited to: locating and maintaining safe and stable housing, accessing financial, educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities, developing adult competencies and strengthening their connections to the community and its resources.
- Teach youth the life skills they require to make their transition to living independently as successful as possible. Work with youth individually, and in groups when appropriate to develop effective communication, problem solving, conflict management, personal care, and money management skills. Provide emotional support and encouragement to youth re making safer choices, and using their strengths and abilities to manage difficult situations.
- Support youth’s family/caregivers individually or through facilitation of educational groups. Provide advice, assistance, mediation and crisis intervention services to families/caregivers when required.
- Respond to critical incidents and implement crisis intervention strategies that address the specific health and safety issues of those involved, and inform the manager when such situations arise.
- Establish strong connections to the community, including maintaining close working relationships with all formal and informal service providers.
- Ensure that all records, reports and documentation pertaining to service delivery are accurate, complete and in compliance with PLEA’s policies and procedures.
- Protect and uphold confidentiality.
- Perform other related duties as required.
What You Will Bring:
- Strong interpersonal communication, facilitation and conflict management skills, including a demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive written reports.
- Demonstrated ability to develop supportive relationships with youth and their families/caregivers who may be reluctant to engage, including demonstrated skills in working with youth who are being sexually exploited.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and lead groups designed to provide mutual support and teach participants personal, interpersonal, and life skills.
- Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships based on mutual respect and trust with a range of different individuals and groups in the community.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team with other program staff, community professionals and other collaterals; use good judgment and manage conflicts constructively.
- Ability to facilitate a group and work through group processes, including highly charged emotional issues and conflict.
- Strong organizational, time and general management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make sound decisions and be held accountable for results.
- 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 theory, principles and best practices with respect to providing services to youth who may be at risk or are being sexually exploited and their families.
- Knowledge of relevant Criminal Justice Legislation and policies, the role of Youth Court, Child Welfare Legislation and policies including the Child, Family and Community Service Act; and applicable government legislation, regulations and accreditation standards.
- 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).
- Enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan, as per the plan's criteria.
- 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).
Minimum Requirements:
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
- Must possess a valid Basic First Aid certificate (formerly OFA Level 1) or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
- Must have access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 or 7N B.C. Driver's License and suitable driver's abstract/claims history.
- 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.
