Directions Transition Worker

JOB OPPORTUNITY:
**Directions Transition Worker**

Competition #108-22

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

This position reports to the Manager of Transitions and Initiatives, Directions Youth Services. The Transition for Youth to Adulthood (TYA) program operates Monday-Friday with some evening and weekend work as needed. The Transition Worker provides one-to-one life skills support to young people 15-18 years old, who are making the transition to independence and/or aging out of government care. Youth are referred to this program by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services (VACFSS)

What we offer you:
**Benefits of working with us**:
Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time) and growing to more +

Three (3) paid household leave days a year

One paid Wellness Day a year

Paid sick days

Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time)

Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)

One paid Moving Day/year

Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)

A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

**Health and Welfare benefits**:
Generous group health/dental benefits after 3 months.

Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need

Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)

Employee Assistance Plan

Long Term Disability Plan

Group Life Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

**Pension**: Pension plan enrollment after 12 months

**Work Hours**: 35 hours per week

**Salary**: GS8 Step 1 $45,609

**Location**: Directions Yoth Services, 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC

**Posting End Date**:Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:
**Education, Training, Experience**
- Bachelor degree in Social Work or other relevant education
- Three (3) years experience working at risk and/or homeless youth in areas such as child protection, life skill development, community support and /or community outreach
- _Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience_

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Ability to engage in client-centred change by establishing respectful relationships and increasing client motivation for positive change and ability to observe and recognize change in clients
- Ability to initiate and influence case management and creatively support complex decision-making
- Ability to share best practices with more junior staff and lead in circumstances where required
- Knowledge of the systematic issues that affect low income and marginalized people and relevant community, social and health resources, and government services and systems.
- Knowledge of low barrier resources, harm reduction model, adolescent development, alcohol and drug use issues, mental health issues, sexually exploited youth, and street-involved activities
- Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, maintain calm and tactful composure under a broad range of challenging circumstances, and adjust your approach in changing conditions
- Ability to work alone or within limited supports in high risk community settings
- Ability to utilize knowledge of community resources and advocacy skills to assist youth with systems navigation and work collaboratively with youth’s care teams Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing across a range of technologies
- Ability to respond effectively to conflict situations and aggressive behaviour, and use techniques consistent with trauma informed practice
- Maintain current knowledge of issues, best practices, and available resources

**Additional Requirements**
- Successful completion of criminal record check
- Valid BC driver’s license; Driver’s Abstract is required
- Access to a personal vehicle is required
- Current First Aid, CPR, Non Violent Intervention Certificates are an _asset_
- Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Intervention Training and Food Safe Level 1 are an _asset_
- **Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required**

How to apply:
Our programs ar