Ravens Lodge

_**Employment Opportunity**_
- **Full Time AWAKE OVERNIGHT - Youth Care Counsellor **_
- **2 Open Positions**_

**Who we are**:
UNYA has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth in the Metro Vancouver area for over 30 years. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we recognize Indigenous youth as experts in their own lives and strive to provide youth with programs and opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to them.

At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shapes all of our decisions and every interaction we have with the youth we serve. Following these philosophies empowers our staff to meet youth where they are at, by giving them the ability to balance flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet our youth’s needs, and ensure that our youth experience a consistent quality of care across all UNYA programs. Our 5 key philosophies are:

- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Two-Eyed Seeing
- Harm Reduction Practice
- Youth/Person Centered Practice
- Culture as Therapy

**Highlights of this opportunity**:
As a member of the Ravens Lodge team, you will contribute to a vital 24/7 live-in program that serves Indigenous female youth, ages 12-18, who are in the care of the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS). Ravens Lodge offers a safe and nurturing environment where Culture as Therapy is central to our approach. In this role, you will provide one-to-one support, engage youth in cultural and recreational activities, participate in care-planning, manage crises, and advocate for the youth's well-being. **The Youth Care Counsellor reports directly to the Program Manager. We currently have 2 open positions for the awake overnight youth care counsellor. The 2 open positions have a fixed schedule from either Sunday to Thursday 12:00am to 08:00am or Tuesday to Saturday 11:00pm to 07:00am (40 hours a week). Both open lines are for an awake overnight position.**

**Qualifications and Conditions**:

- **Educational Background**: Diploma in a related human/social service field.
- **Experience**: One year of recent related experience working with Indigenous youth, addressing mental health, substance use, and homelessness; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and lived experience.
- **Cultural Knowledge**: Understanding of the family and social issues faced by Indigenous youth today, including the generational impacts of the residential school system on families and communities.
- **Background Check**: Completion of a criminal record check satisfactory to UNYA **and a MCFD Hub Screening Clearance.**:

- **Health Requirements**: Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and a negative TB skin test.
- **Certifications**: First Aid and Food Safe Level 1 certificates are an asset, though paid training is available upon hire.
- **Driving**: Valid Class 5 Driver’s License is an asset.

**What We Offer**:

- **Compensation: $27.96 to $32.56 an hour **_**(based on years of experience in the UNYA Grid)**_
- **Comprehensive Benefits Package**: 100% employer-paid.
- **Paid Time Off**: Paid vacation, sick days, and wellness days after successfully completing 3-month probationary period.
- **Employee Assistance Program (EAP)**: Access to no-cost counseling services for full-time UNYA staff.
- **Cultural and Spiritual Support**: Guidance and teachings from UNYA’s Elder in Residence.
- **Professional Development**: Monthly staff development day, including a morning of professional development, a shared meal, and afternoon activities.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- **Build Rapport with Youth**: Engage with youth to establish trust and understanding, fostering a safe and supportive environment.
- **Resource Connection**: Assess the needs of youth and connect them to appropriate resources and services.
- **Implement Care Plans**: Develop and execute care plans and intervention strategies, utilizing a variety of approaches including Culture as Therapy. Provide one-on-one informal counseling.
- **Create a Safe Environment**: Foster a safe and respectful environment by addressing behaviors and situations with a trauma-informed approach.
- **Team Collaboration**: Actively participate in the team, demonstrating commitment, respect, and support for colleagues.
- **Crisis Management**: Address concerns, incidents, or crises affecting youth and program operations proactively and positively.
- **Record Keeping**: Maintain accurate records, logs, case files, and client reports to meet program and funder requirements.
- **Policy Adherence**: Follow UNYA’s Philosophy of Care and comply with all program-specific and organization-wide policies and procedures.
- **Additional Duties**: Perform other tasks as deemed necessary by the Program Manager to ensure the safe, healthy, and productive operation of Raven’s Lodge.

**How to Apply**:

- UNYA ackn