Youth Support Worker- Dusk to Dawn

JOB OPPORTUNITY:
**Youth Support Worker
- Hourly Dusk to Dawn**

Competition #85-22

**Download Job Posting Here**

**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.

Working within the mission, vision, values and person-centered philosophy of the Agency, this position works to promote safer & healthier options, to assist youth with the navigation of service systems and, where possible, to assist in their transition from the street to residences. This position will involve working with a variety of ‘at risk’ and ‘homeless’ marginalized youth who may be struggling with addiction, intellectual, emotional/social challenges, dual diagnosis, and histories of sexual abuse.

This position reports to the Night Resource/Dusk to Dawn Supervisors. This is a peer support position. Applicants should be peer in nature with relevant life experience.

What we offer you:
**Benefits of working with us**:
A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Directions Youth Services offers purposeful careers, serving the most vulnerable members of our community. This role offers you the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community.

We support career development and training for staff to reach their potential, and offer mentorship and professional advancement in a supportive environment. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, wellness and a safe, inclusive and welcoming workplace that values diversity and respect for all.

**Work Hours**: Hourly (casual
- _shift work may vary_)

**Salary**: GS 7 Step 1- $23.39 hourly rate

**Location**: 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

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

What you bring:
**Education, Training, Experience**
- Minimum six (6) months of post-secondary education with emphasis on homelessness, mental health, addictions, and/or social services, **OR **an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Minimum of two years removed from homelessness, street life, addiction, and/or other connected, relevant life experience.
- Basic knowledge of adolescent development; alcohol and drug abuse issues; sexually exploited youth, and “street involved” activities.
- Lived experience is considered an asset

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Basic awareness of community, social and health resources.
- Basic awareness of the systemic issues that affect low income and marginalized people.
- Basic awareness of substance misuse, adolescent development, and the problems encountered by chemically dependent individuals.
- Basic understanding of behavioral management.
- Basic understanding of mental health issues and treatment.
- Ability to observe and recognize change in clients.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients.
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
- Ability to take training to deal effectively with conflict situations, manage aggressive behavior, and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioral management techniques.
- Ability to communicate proficiently both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish/maintain satisfactory work relationships with the public and other employees.
- Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, public, and other agencies, and to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Ability to work in a culturally diverse population.
- Basic computer literacy.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Ability to maintain a schedule that allows for both evening and weekend work.

**Working Conditions**
- 24 hour crisis response centre.

**Additional Requirements**
- Successful completion of criminal record check
- **Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required**

How to apply:
Our programs are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unseeded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), Qayqayt,Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwekwetlem,Semiahmoo,Matsqui,and Tsawwassen First Nations. Huy ch q’u.