Indigenous Child and Youth Worker

**About Closer To Home Community Services**

About Us: 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. Be a part of an innovative team that envisions a world where “every child is thriving within supportive family and community relationships”. Join in our mission to facilitate growth and belonging in communities of meaningful relationships and where our integrity is grounded in evidence-based practice authentically informed by, and connected to, diverse cultural wisdom. Together, we will journey with children and families to uncover strength, hope and healing, creating new possibilities for a brighter future.

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**:With guidance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous Staff, this community group care program (Matomai'tsitapisskoyis) is designed specifically for Indigenous youth who choose this as an optimal placement for themselves. The Child & Youth Worker will work with a team of professionals to support Indigenous children and youth in a culturally safe and immersive home.

**Responsibilities**:

- Ensuring safety and providing for children and youth’s daily needs, while supporting the acquisition of relevant skills which will support them to live safely and thrive in the community.
- Assisting with day to day activities and routines, visits and appointments
- Implementing skill development strategies, maintaining a structured setting
- Managing crises and escalated behaviours
- Focusing on interconnectedness, including family kinship, academics, recreation and community inclusion
- Supporting children and youth with strategies to enhance their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, and to increase their sense of belonging
- Medication management
- Completing day to day household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and other duties as required
- Transporting youth to and from school, appointments or visits
- Participating in supervision and meetings as needed, and implement pre-determined treatment strategies.
- Supporting other group homes in Calgary/Airdrie as needed

**Qualifications**:

- A diploma or degree in a related field is preferred and previous experience working with vulnerable children and families is an asset; a combination of education and experience will be considered
- Experience working in Community Group Care or other “in-care” programs (preferred)
- Experience providing trauma-informed, family-sensitive and culturally responsive care
- Deep understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, connecting and doing.
- Willing to work an unstructured work week, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays
- Ability to manage a crisis situation in a therapeutic manner, and, if necessary, intervene physically in a manner that reduces the risk of harm.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with and relate to people of all ages
- Detail oriented and organized, able to manage multiple priorities at the same time
- Eager to learn and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model
- This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Must provide proof of a Class 5 Alberta driver’s license, a personal vehicle, and a clean 3-year driver’s abstract and maintain $2 million liability insurance on their personal vehicle and consent to an annual driver’s abstract review to meet the insurance provider’s requirements. Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with CRA guidelines and CTH policy.
- A Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search and an Intervention Record Check must be completed prior to commencement.

**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._

**Similar titles for this role**: Child & youth counselor, Community service worker, Group home worker, Youth worker, Residential counselor
- 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