Youth Care Leader

MATAWA FIRST NATIONS
MANAGEMENT

**Youth Care Leader**

**PURPOSE OF THE POSITION**

Reporting to the Youth Care Lead Supervisor and the Matawa Student Care Centre
Manager, the Youth Care Leader (YCL) is responsible for the supervision and safety of Matawa students living in the Matawa Student Care Centre (MSCC).
Youth Care Leaders will be responsible for the 24-hour physical supervision of the students while acting as a positive role model.

**SCOPE**

As a member of the Matawa Care Centre team, the YCL supports students living in the
Matawa Student Care Centre as they move toward the successful completion of their secondary education. The YCL will work directly with students to build a healthy relationship of trust. The YCL will ensure they are maintaining a presence throughout the Care Centre and providing clear and consistent direction and expectations to the students. The YCL will work towards promoting a healthy and positive lifestyle for the students of the MSCC by dealing firsthand with issues that may arise, such as substance abuse, emotional issues, family and peer relationships. The YCL will consult with parents/caregivers, MSCC/MEC administration, students and co-workers to determine student safety needs and develop appropriate responses to those needs.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**
1. The overall supervision and care of students who live in the MSCC as well as other shift specific duties.
- Provide consistent, fair and empathetic supervision to the students in the MSCC
- Ensure you are awake and available, monitoring the students at all times throughout the shift/night
- Provide support to the students and encourage them to complete their required tasks ie: homework, cleaning their rooms, washrooms etc.
- Ensure light housekeeping duties are being upheld, such as sweeping, organizing and tidying common areas.
- Notify supervisor(s) of urgent safety issues/situations as quickly as possible,w hile following the specific policies and procedures for incident reports.
- Conduct regular checks on the students in their rooms/common areas, as per the policies and procedures
- Assist in emergency situations (e.g., missing student, intoxicated student, student in need of medical support)

2. Support activities for Matawa students

Main Activities
- Communicate with St. Josephs Care Group on matters relating to student mental health
- Arrange for transportation to student activities as needed, including medical appointments by utilizing the On-Call drivers and Student Support Coordinators
- Encourage MSCC students to participate in after-hours Student Activities and

Cultural Activities
- Provide support to the cultural workers working with the MSCC students after hours

3. Promote programs and local services

Main Activities
- Ensure the Matawa students are aware of available activities and supports

(e.g., addictions, legal, health, financial)
- Maintain positive working relationships with organizations such as police, ambulance, hospitals
- Maintain positive working relationships with fellow co-workers and MECC

Administration
- Monitor the use of equipment (ie: exercise rooms/common areas) and facilities (ie:
Common areas of the MEC or MSCC)

4. Administrative

Main Activities
- Respond to phone calls or radio messages in a timely manner
- Provide reports (e.g., student incidences, incidences with service providers, and maintenance needs) as required
- Record information on, student activity including behavior, progress and presence off-site.
- Ensure all programs and activities are implemented according to established policies and procedures, including sign in/out procedures and parental consent
- Follow all shift-specific duties as assigned by the Matawa Student Care Centre

Manager

5. Other duties
- Consistent review of expectations, policies and procedures as they relate to the

MSCC and the YCL
- Perform other duties as required

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES**

**Knowledge**
- Demonstrated initiative in youth supervision or care
- Knowledge of First Nation education
- Knowledge of First Nation cultures and life styles
- Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies and procedures for congregate living or group boarding homes
- Knowledge of office administration and procedures
- Ability to speak Ojibwe, Cree or Oji-Cree is beneficial but not necessary

**Skills**
- Ability to obtain a Vulnerable Sectors Criminal Reference Check
- Effective Communication skills
- Analyzing and problem-solving skills
- Excellent decision-making skills and crisis response skills
- Effective negotiation and mediation skills
- Excellent stress and time management skills
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and analytical skills
- A valid Ontario Driver’s License

**Personal Attributes**

The YCL must maintain strict confidentiality in performing their duties.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- An ability to adjust to changes
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with parent