Youth in Transition Worker

YMCA of Hamilton,Burlington,BrantfordYouth in Transition Worker Brantford Area
YMCA Employment & Immigrant Services

**Starting Salary**:$42,000 - $48,000

**Position Status**:Full-time (One Year Contract)

**Placement**:Immediate

**Benefits & Perks**: We offer an array of total rewards to recognize loyalty, longevity, and passion for the work we do:

- Competitive total compensation packages
- Generous pension plans with employer matching
- Free YMCA Health & Fitness Memberships
- Professional development opportunities including paid training and access to YMCA education scholarships
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- Opportunities for career advancement

**Nature & Scope**

As a branch of the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford, the YMCA Employment, Training & Settlement Services delivers Employment Services, Youth Employment, Alternative Education High School Classes, Literacy & Basic Skills, Summer Employment Experience Programs, Youth Outreach and Settlement & Newcomer programs.

The Youth in Transition Worker Program aims to support youth leaving care to transition from the child welfare sector into adulthood. This program covers the Region of Brantford. This position will work with youth (16 - 24 years of age) to connect them with educational, employment, housing, life skills, mental health and other supports in their communities and support them to navigate the transition from care to adulthood.

**Responsibilities**:

- Ensure that program eligibility criteria are met
- Help eligible youth develop and achieve the goals they have set for themselves through the program.
- Support eligible youth leaving care to identify, access and navigate adult service systems relevant to their needs, and transition to adulthood.
- Facilitate access for youth leaving care to existing supports and resources in the community, by providing information and referrals for individual youth that address individual needs and support/reinforce strengths.
- Some of the resources and supports may include: o Housing supports; o Education resources; o Employment services and training; o Life Skills training (e.g. financial management, household management); o Health and mental health services; and Legal services.
- Support eligible youth leaving care to develop and maintain relationships with responsible, caring adults in the community to help them as they transition to adulthood.
- Develop, deliver and facilitate educational/life skills workshops online and in-person to youth (16-24 yrs)
- Develop and implement effective outreach strategies to engage local communities/service providers to create opportunities of service coordination for referrals
- Foster communication and linkages with community agencies/organizations to improve access and mitigate barriers to services for youth leaving care
- Work with local CAS to develop a referral approach, and to create awareness of the program among youth leaving care.
- Be responsible for the health and safety of participants
- Ensure that YMCA Child & Youth policies are implemented
- Meet monthly statistical requirements and maintain records on all activities performed
- Attend staff meetings, trainings and community meetings.
- Be responsible for program equipment (including a laptop, cell phone, etc).
- Provide monthly statistical and narrative reports and conduct evaluations as needed

**Qualifications**:

- Post Secondary Education related to psychology, counseling, child & youth development and/or related experience
- At least three years' experience in working the field of social services,
- Experience in working with issues, concerns and challenges of youth (16-24 years of age)
- Demonstrate proficiency in ability to write and speak fluently in English
- Knowledge of community resources in Brantford Area
- Flexibility regarding assigned work hours and locations
- Knowledge and skills in group facilitation
- Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity
- Ability to speak an additional language is an asset
- Knowledge of the Child Welfare system is an asset
- Driver’s licence and car is required for travel in Brantford
- Police Records Check with Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Screening is required as a condition of employment issued no later than six months prior to start date
- I**f you are hired, prior to your start date and as a condition of employment, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid Human Rights exemption.**

**Competencies**:

- **Commitment to Organization Vision and Values**

Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the mission, vision, strategic outcomes and values of the YMCA. ** **Initiative*

Does the right thing at the right time without being asked.
- **Teamwork**

Actively builds teams and encourages open relationships for maximum orga