This position is funded by Canada Summer Jobs. Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years of age.
Position Summary
The Youth Empowerment Society is a non-profit community service agency offering support and services to youth and their families.
The Youth Food Pantry Worker will work in the Connections Youth Food Pantry including day to day tasks, client access, effective food management, program data collection and hosting food skills workshops. The youth worker will also be responsible for community engagement to raise awareness of VYES programs, including the food pantry. The youth worker will support a youth friendly, welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
To perform the job successfully a Youth Food Pantry Worker will be able to consistently perform each essential duty adequately. Other duties may be assigned such as, but not limited to, participating in and/or supporting wellness activities.
Food Pantry:
· Displays and stocks the shelves and fridges with a variety food items and hygiene supplies.
· Organizes the pet supplies, clothing, school supplies, bedding and other household items.
· Sorts, portions and stores food items, including perishable, non-perishable and frozen food items with an eye to prevent waste and maintain quality.
· Provides food pantry services to youth that offers choice and dignity to clients and adjusts services to best meet needs and preferences of youth.
· Maintains a clean, safe and tidy environment that is compliant with food safe requirements and VYES policies.
· Maintains a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with other VYES programs and other community organizations.
· Communicates and coordinates with food pantry donors.
· Plans and implements food preparation workshops, in conjunction with Food Pantry Coordinator.
· Collects data on food collection and client demographics for reporting purposes.
· Participates in supervision meetings with the Program Supervisor as required.
· Coordinates and supports other food pantry initiatives as required.
Community Engagement:
· Promotes the Food Pantry program and workshops to other community service providers, schools, health programs, neighbourhood houses
· Supports communication channels (social media, website, print materials) to promote awareness of VYES programs
Professional and Personal Qualifications
The requirements listed below detail the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
Required Experience:
Prefer minimum of 1 year of relevant experience which includes:
· Experience with developing and running health and wellness programs, preferably with some food-focused programming.
· Experience with food-based programing for vulnerable demographics.
· Experience providing services with high-risk youth is valuable.
· Experience with community-based programs and related community support systems.
Knowledge:
· Demonstrates awareness of community resources, especially in food security for youth and families.
· An understanding of child and adolescent development.
· Establishes practice in maintaining appropriate and confidential boundaries and other basic ethics.
Skills and Abilities:
· Demonstrates ability provide respectful, trauma-informed service delivery to youth.
· Demonstrates interpersonal communication skills and ability to work constructively and cooperatively in a team setting.
· Ability to manage time and work effectively in a dynamic work environment and to meet deadlines.
· Ability to lift heavy objects, up to 50 lbs.
· Ability to apply professional ethics to the general work situation.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective collaborative and constructive liaisons/relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including clients and families, ministries, other agencies, and provide effective community referrals.
· Prepares and deliver appropriate, clear and concise oral and written communication.
· Ability to perform basic computer and internet skills.
Hours/Conditions of Employment
· This role is required to work for 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a schedule agreed upon with the Youth Services Manager.
· The salary rate for this position is $22 per hour, payable every second Friday.
· Must be between 21-30 years of age at the time of hire.
· Must have clearance from the Authorization for Criminal Records Search prior to commencing employment.
· Must follow the Code of Ethics, Mission Statement and Policies and Procedures of The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society.
· This position is required to work in a group environment often dealing with multiple youth at one time.
· Valid First Aid and Food Safe certification required.
Special Working Conditions
· This position requires working in a stressful environment often dealing with groups of youth and youth in crisis situations.
· There may be moderate exposure to undesirable environmental working conditions which may require certain safety precautions i.e. client aggression, exposure to client health issues etc.
· Much of this position requires working in a group-setting.
Pay: $22.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
