Youth Care Specialist

**About Closer To Home Community Services**

Closer to Home Community Services (CTH) is a non-profit organization located in Alberta since 1995. CTH provides a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth and families.

CTH is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all; including different cultural backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and sexual and gender diversities. We strive to be an employer of choice with a focus on wellness and connection.

Company benefits include:

- Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
- Extended Health & Dental Coverage
- Additional Health Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Days
- RRSP Matching
- Company Events
- Training and Professional Development

**About the Position**:This permanent full-time position works closely with a team of professionals to support youth in a Community Home. This position works on a 4-on, 4-off shift rotation including days and overnights to provide round-the-clock care. Utilizing the Teaching Family Model, the Youth Care Specialist’s primary responsibility is to facilitate success for youth with complex mental health and behaviour needs by assisting with their day to day activities and routines. Typical youth behaviors may include aggression, running away, self-harm or suicide attempts.

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for youth’s acquisition of relevant skills to live safely and thrive in the community, supporting youth with their daily routine such as going to school, attending appointments or visiting family
- Supporting a therapeutic based approach to treatment
- Maintaining a structured setting, fostering skill development
- Managing crises, ensuring high levels of supervision to promote safety
- Assisting youth with scheduled activities and appointments and providing relief coverage to other homes as needed
- Work collaboratively with a transdisciplinary team in the formation and implementation of treatment plans to ensure treatment strategies are effectively implemented
- Managing crises and helping co-regulate youth when escalated and/or distressed
- Conduct assessments, collect client information for documentation and and critical incident reports
- Participate in individual supervision, team meetings and ongoing training

**Qualifications**:

- Experience working with individuals with complex needs/behaviours and multiple diagnosis (ADD, ADHD, Trauma, FASD, ODD, addictions, mental health, etc.)
- Open availability to work a shift rotation including days, evenings, awake overnight shifts, weekends and holidays.
- Responsible, diligent and dependable, an exceptional role model
- Extremely detail oriented, organized and can manage multiple priorities at one time
- Compassionate individual with a positive, strength-based and empathetic approach
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Eager to participate in continuous learning and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model.
- A Diploma or Degree in a related field and experience working in residential and community group care setting (A combination of education and experience will be considered)
- A Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search and an Intervention Record Check must be completed prior to commencement.
- Ability to manage a crisis situation in a therapeutic manner, and, if necessary, intervene physically in a manner that reduces the risk of harm to children and staff.
- Willing to work alongside service animals and/or pets

**Required Competencies**

All positions at Closer to Home Community Services require (5) competencies: I_nstills Trust, Consumer Focus, Communicates Effectively, Situational Adaptability and Ensures Accountability_.
- We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted._

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), which is comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Piikani Nations, and the shared territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation and Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, all of whom are the original signatories of the Blackfoot Treaty #7 in Southern Alberta. We also recognize Mohkinstsis (Calgary) as a home to members of the Metis Settlements and communities within Alberta.