Victoria Youth Empowerment Residential Casual

The Youth Empowerment Society is a non-profit community service agency offering support and services to youth and their families. The Agency operates two residential sites: The Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter and The Specialized Youth Detox. When hiring relief staff, The Youth Empowerment Society hires for both sites.

At The Specialized Youth Detox, The Withdrawal Management Counsellor is responsible for providing the necessary services and support to youth accessing the detox program and their family support systems. Counsellors aim to meet short-term physical, emotional and psychological needs of youth by providing support, screening and assessment, crisis response, relapse prevention strategies and counselling. At The Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter, The Crisis Support Counsellor is responsible for providing the necessary services and support to youth accessing the emergency youth shelter and their family support systems. Counsellors aim to meet short-term physical, emotional and psychological needs of youth by providing support, screening and assessment, crisis response and counselling.
- Skills/Competencies:_
Demonstrated ability to work constructively and cooperatively in a team setting, self-motivated, takes initiative, has demonstrated time management skills, demonstrated ability to successfully complete duties/chores, strong written and verbal communications. Understands and works within the limitations of confidentiality. Has knowledge of community resources available to youth and their families. Aware of and demonstrates a youth centered strength based approach. Demonstrate sound judgment and strong interpersonal skills along with respect and diplomacy. Maintain ethical boundaries and professionalism at all times.
- Professional and Personal Qualifications:_
The requirements listed below detail the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
The counsellor will need to demonstrate a good standard of competency in a number of the competencies listed within the agency’s competency framework. A summary of the competencies has been attached to this job description. The knowledge and skills required to demonstrate the competencies are integrated into the role of this position. The achievement of competencies is reviewed within the performance recognition and development plan.
- Education:_
- Preference is a bachelor’s degree in child and youth care, social work or in a related human services field.
- Required Experience:_
- A minimum of 1 year experience which includes:

- Knowledge and experience with vulnerable/high-risk youth and their families.
- Experience working with high-risk youth in a counselling or other helping capacity.
- Experience with community based programs and related community support systems.

Knowledge: Basic understanding of child and adolescent development.
- Basic understanding of brief and comprehensive assessments, counselling and intervention approaches.
- Established practice in maintaining appropriate and confidential boundaries and other basic counselling ethics.
- Established practice involving families, foster care system, community, intervention programs, the Ministry for Children and Families, and other systems in service planning with youth.
- Demonstrated awareness of community resources for youth and families.

Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to work constructively and cooperatively in a team setting.
- Demonstrated ability to use basic engagement techniques and evidence-based counselling approaches.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective collaborative and constructive liaisons/relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including clients and families, ministries, other agencies etc. and provide effective community referrals.
- Maintains timely and accurate documentation, consent, confidentiality and duty to report practices.
- Prepares and delivers appropriate, clear and concise oral and written communication
- Demonstrated ability to perform basic computer and Internet skills. _Conditions of Employment_
- Works a variety of shifts which may include overnight awake shifts. Most shifts are eight or twelve hours in length with the occasional four hour shift depending on necessity.
- The first 6 months of employment constitute a probationary period, at the end of which a performance appraisal is conducted to determine the suitability of the employee for further employment.
- Must have clearance from the Authorization for Criminal Records Search prior to commencing employment
- Specialized Youth Detox requires all personnel to have a current TB Test, Immunization records, a doctor’s note, yearly Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination
- Follow the Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, and Policies and Procedures of The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society and abide by the relevant rules and reporting guidelines as set out by the Ministry for Children and Families and other app