Youth Engagement Specialist
Youth Development & Resiliency Spoke — Youth Connections
Location
Position available at: St. Albert FRC
Hours
34.5 hours per week
Reports To
Supervisor, Kikosewin FRN,
Status
Two Year Contract with the Potential the Extend
Closing Date
Open until a suitable candidate is found
Apply To
Human Resources, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Application
Submit resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Land Acknowledgement
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional gathering place of many Indigenous peoples. We are committed to reconciliation and to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
About Kikosewin FRN
The Kikosewin Family Resource Network (FRN) is an Indigenous-led, community-based prevention and early intervention network operated by Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. The Youth Development & Resiliency spoke Youth Connections,provides culturally grounded, relationship-based programming for Indigenous youth ages 12–24 across three locations in Edmonton and St. Albert.
About the Role
The Youth Engagement Specialist creates spaces where youth feel safe, seen, and capable. This role delivers Targeted programming, facilitated group cohorts, and intensive one-on-one wraparound support to Indigenous youth ages 12–24 — depending on the location's service configuration.
Youth work is relational work. The Youth Engagement Specialist builds genuine connections with young people over time, meets them where they are literally and figuratively and walks alongside them through some of the most complex developmental terrain of their lives. This is demanding, energizing, and deeply meaningful work.
Please note that for this position your office space will be at the Bent Arrow office in Edmonton. However, you will be supporting youth and facilitating programing in St. Albert.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver targeted group program cohorts for Indigenous youth with identified needs.
- Provide intensive one-on-one wraparound support to youth experiencing high-risk and complex challenges
- Carry a caseload of 7–10 youth receiving intensive services
- Develop individualized service plans co-created with youth in the youth's own words
- Support youth to navigate schools, child intervention, justice, mental health, and housing systems
- Identify and respond appropriately to youth risk and safety concerns
- Fulfill mandatory reporting obligations in accordance with legislation
- Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations and partner locations
- Attend team meetings alongside workers at all three Youth Connections locations
- Complete session summaries, activity logs, visit logs, and outcome measurement tools
- Participate in regular individual supervision and reflective practice
Qualifications
Education:
- Diploma or degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, or a related field is required
Experience:
- Experience working directly with youth in a group programming, outreach, or intensive support context
- Experience working with Indigenous youth using culturally grounded, trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches
- Experience with youth programming, facilitation, or one-on-one youth support
- Experience navigating complex systems with youth (schools, child intervention, mental health, justice) is an asset
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong knowledge of adolescent and young adult development, ages 12–24
- Understanding of positive youth development, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice
- Knowledge of the impacts of intergenerational trauma and colonization on Indigenous youth
- Strong relational skills, able to build genuine, consistent relationships with youth who may be skeptical of adults
- Group facilitation skills, able to create engaging, youth-centered programming
- Knowledge of crisis response, safety planning, and suicide intervention
- Understanding of mandatory reporting legislation
- The ability to lift, set up and move large items/structures needed for facilitating programing
Other Requirements:
- Criminal record check and vulnerable sector check required
- Valid driver's license, programming may require travel between locations
- First Aid/CPR required or willingness to obtain
- ASIST or equivalent suicide intervention training preferred
- Non-violent crisis intervention training preferred
What We Offer
- The opportunity to walk alongside Indigenous youth during one of the most formative periods of their lives
- A three-location team with strong shared identity, regular team meetings, and collective support
- An Indigenous-led organization where cultural grounding and youth voice are central to everything we do
- Strong supervision, reflective practice, and professional development support
Salary
- Salary plus mileage for travel
- Paid sick and wellness days after 3 months’ probation (pro-rated)
- Extended Health Benefit (50/50 cost sharing) after 6 months’ employment.
- Working approximately 34.5 hours per week
Pay: $49,100.00-$51,555.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
