Program Support Worker

**Program Support Worker - Seasonal Contract**

**ABOUT KIDSAFE**

At KidSafe, we work on the ground to help the children and families who need us most. When schools close for winter, spring and summer breaks, KidSafe opens.

Each program participant is professionally referred by social workers, school counsellors, principals, teachers, or refugee and newly immigrant community support workers, as a child in need of a safe, accessible, and enriching and no-cost program due to systemic barriers they and their family face. For many children and youth, the absence of school can result in extended periods of unsupervised vulnerable time. We support children in Vancouver schools between 5-12 years old and serve up to 450 children and youth annually. The kids we work with are incredibly resilient, and full of life and inspire KidSafe staff who are lucky to work with them day after day.

**POSITION DETAILS**

The Program Support Worker is an essential part of the site team for both the kids and staff. They are ready to step in to support the kids and assist with leading trauma-informed programming and working with kids who might need a little extra support or ensuring that the site is running smoothly. This position reports directly to their Program Supervisor and to the Manager of Recruitment & Training.

**Key responsibilities include**:
**Program Delivery**
- Alongside the Program Supervisor and Program Leader, helps execute and deliver developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed and culturally aware programming in accordance with KidSafe standards, Child Protection policies, and Healthy Child Development principles.
- Creates and maintains a positive atmosphere to build self-esteem and confidence in children.
- Ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities and needs while on-site.
- Helps maintain a neat, orderly, and clean environment, including daily clean up from activities and mealtimes.
- Attends staff meetings, planning sessions, and training events as required.
- Helps in any additional tasks that arise, as directed by the Program Supervisor or KidSafe management team.
- Ensures that the facility is always clean and tidy, supporting the set-up and tear-down of the program at the beginning and end of the program session.

**Participant Engagement & Behaviour Education**
- Ensures that the physical, emotional, social, safety, well-being, first-aid, and nutritional needs of participants are met within KidSafe program standards, guidelines, and policies.
- Provides behaviour education techniques and other best practices as outlined in the training modules.
- Builds relationships with children, parents, staff, volunteers, and community members.
- Assists with all aspects of the program including leading activities laid out by the Program Supervisor and Program Leader, supporting mealtime activities and any other duties as assigned.

**Academic and Job Experience Required**:

- Must be 16 years of age or older.
- Minimum one to two years of experience working with children and youth.
- Interested in, or currently pursuing a career in the social service field.

**Job-Specific Competencies and Skills**:

- Must have, or be willing to obtain, a CRC for Vulnerable Sector Check, prior to the first day of the program.
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification
- FoodSafe Certification
- Experience working with diverse populations as well as proficiency in a second language is valuable to this position due to the demographics that KidSafe serves.
- Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to problem-solve and coach younger staff.
- Sound judgment and effective personal skills.

HOW TO APPLY

We thank all interested applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.