Relief Residential Counsellor

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces. YouthLink works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.

**Relief Residential Counsellor & Shelter Youth Worker**

**Casual**

**Non-Bargaining Unit position**

**1 Year Contract**

**Highlights of Your Role**

**Relief Shelter Youth Worker**:
The Youth Worker is responsible for providing direct, quality care and supervision to residents of the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP) as well as the day to day operations. Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focused on the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents. Staff will be expected to practice within a framework that is a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.
- Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate. Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to housing program rules and expectations. Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake Provides direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP and support youth with daily routines.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of the residents by working collaboratively to address and follow-up with regards to crisis management. Work safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual
- Maintain the cleanliness and order of the program area. Assist and maintain the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping work space tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for food service, clean up and ensure all supplies are readily available. Keep all programming areas clean and tidy, disinfecting furniture, remake resident rooms after discharge, adhere to health and safety requirements. Identify and respond to issues related to the building and mechanical systems.
- Articulate and document important information in order to communicate with team. Communicate information around team dynamics and client dynamics. Ensure safety and security of clients, guests, staff and property.
- Participates in meetings. Read minutes from meetings to familiarize oneself with changes, updates and directions to program. Participate in all mandatory professional training provided by the Agency.

**Relief Residential Counsellor**:
This position is responsible for providing high quality residential care for 9 female identified youth (14-18) and youth who are gender fluid, non-binary and transitioning from male to female and female to male in a live-in treatment home. The program is committed to fostering an environment, which promotes safety and security for youth who have experienced any or all of the following. Traumatic events, abuse, parental/family conflict, neglect, and/or issues with attachment that more than likely are contributing to a deterioration of their mental health, sense of self and low self esteem.
- Provides daily and household functioning routines, such as hygiene, attendance at school, work, medical, therapy appointments, shopping, menu planning and preparation, daily chores and settling in routines.
- Maintains therapeutic milieu by providing a home like atmosphere within the residence: crisis management, role modeling, and navigating peer dynamics, building self-esteem and creating a safe and positive environment.
- Writes reports and other administrative tasks: serious occurrence and incident reports, daily logs, medical logs, missing person, etc. Orients new residents. Works with student placements.
- Maintains the residence, including cleaning, maintenance tasks, garage removal, snow removal, fire drills and fire safety checks and other routine tasks associated with the care of the residence.
- Provides job and volunteer placement support for residents, including writing resumes and letters, role playing interviews, connecting with job resources and problem solving with employers and co-workers.
- Plans and facilitates therapeutic evening and weekend programs, such as sports activities, life skills, outings, games and other activities.
- Communicates with service providers, including doctors and therapists, recreational workers, teachers and counselors, clergy, lawyers, case workers and governmental service providers.
- Provides family support through in-person and phone contact with parents, informal counseling, treatment updates and recommending services and supports.
- Actively contributes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan by participating in i