Youth Advocate

**Youth Advocate Job Posting (Casual Relief)**

Working with vulnerable youth is more than just a job; it’s a calling

You thrive in an environment that supports and empowers you to do what it takes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. You are looking for a position that allows you to augment your income, while working around the other priorities in your life.

At Durham Youth Services (DYS), we partner with youth to achieve and maintain lasting solutions to their housing crisis. As a Youth Advocate, your priority is to uphold the organization’s vision to end youth homelessness in the Durham Region. You will work closely with clients staying in our Housing Focused Emergency Shelter to ensure a safe environment for youth experiencing homelessness as they work toward their housing goals. Fulfilling the “shift expectations” of a shelter shift, you will be responsible for client intake, for checking in with clients on their housing goals, managing crisis and conflict amongst shelter residents as they arise, meal preparation and maintaining the cleanliness and order of the home.

Our Casual Relief team enable us to keep the shelter open and running when there are staffing shortages or vacation/sick time coverage requirements. Our Casual Relief team is required to provide availability for a minimum of 4 shifts per month, including one overnight and one weekend shift. You will be called upon, within your defined availability, as required.

If you are a compassionate, resilient individual with a gift for building trust and making a meaningful connection with youth, despite complex barriers, we are interested in hearing from you Together, we will achieve our vision of ending youth homelessness in the Durham Region

**So, What Will You Actually Do?**
- **Shift Responsibilities**_
- Be positive, supportive, kind, caring, empathetic, gentle, respectful, and compassionate to all youth, staff, students, volunteers, and other community members that you come in contact with.
- Complete shelter diversion, intakes, and discharges according to the organizations policies and procedures
- Support clients in achieving their housing goals
- Monitor client medication administration when required
- Review, maintain and complete documentation of all client interactions
- Maintain safety within the shelter; de-escalate conflict between clients as required
- Use trauma-informed care in supporting clients in crisis; provide unbiased, non-judgmental support to clients.
- Conduct hourly room checks (overnight)
- Ensure all resident chores are completed
- Conducting room searches and safety checks
- Follow all policy and procedures regarding confidentiality, workplace harassment, health and safety, Emergency Shelter Standards
- Attend all staff or individual meetings that are requested by the Program Supervisor, Director of Housing and Outreach Programs and/or Executive Director
- Assist in keeping the shelter clean, including doing laundry, emptying garbage and recycling, cleaning out fridge and freezer
- Tear down and clean out of rooms after discharge
- Cooking meals and making lunches for clients

**What Skills and Experience Will Make You Amazing At This Job**:

- Child and Youth Work diploma, Social Service Worker diploma or related degree such as B.S.W, and knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of youth
- **Directly related experience an asset**:

- Demonstrated skills, experience and passion working with at-risk, marginalized or street involved youth
- Ability to provide crisis intervention and exercise good judgement in emergency and/or crisis situations\
- Ability to demonstrate awareness of diversity and cultural sensitivity
- Awareness and comfort level working with youth from the LGBTQ+ community
- Ability to work independently and take responsibility for all potentialities within a residential setting
- Excellent interpersonal as well as written and verbal communication skills
- Strong belief in a harm reduction philosophy
- Computer literacy
- Ability to perform the physical demands of the position
- Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this same standard.
- Ability to acquire Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance
- Must be available to work all shifts - daytime, afternoon/evening and overnight
- Required to work on public holidays and some weekends

**NOTE: Youth Advocates may be exposed to clients who display aggressive and threatening behavior. A successful Youth Advocate will recognize that this is due to the trauma our clients have endured, is not “personal” against the Youth Advocate, and will be skilled at de-escalating situations and supporting clients through crisis.**

**What Competencies Will Make You an Amazing Fit at DYS**:

- Job Knowledge
- Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills
- Client-Centric
- Time Management/Prioritization/Organization Skills
- Driving Execution
- Commitment to Quality/Continuous Improvement/Takes Init