Youth Worker

**Youth Worker - YOUTHrive After School and Youth Program**
- **Students currently in their 3rd/4th year of Post-Secondary studies (College/University) may apply. All placement experience will be reviewed and considered.**

The 360°kids YOUTHrive program provides youth within social housing communities across York Region with wraparound support. Youth Workers provide mentorship to the youth through informal counseling services, job search support, homework and post-secondary assistance, and basic life skills. Its objective is to encourage leadership, promote life skills, and help mentor the youth within the community. The program offers a variety of supports including workshops, relationship-building, cooking classes, guest speakers, job support, community outreach, sports, homework help, self-esteem-building activities, and more.

**Direct accountabilities include**:

- Day-to-day organization and operation at the assigned site including on-site supervision of program staff, participants, and volunteers.
- Coordinates, develops and facilitates weekly, biweekly, and monthly life skills programming for youth attending the program.
- On-going monitoring of all youth while on the premises by 360°kids policies and procedures.
- Provides informal one-on-one counseling and acts as a positive role model for youth.
- Advocates on behalf of clients for support, services, and benefits with internal and external resources, and engages in active problem-solving around each client’s needs.
- Supervise the setup and takedown of the program materials and equipment including storage of equipment, ensuring the facilities are left in a clean and tidy manner.
- The Program Administrator / Team Lead creates and implements approved strategies and plans that will result in the achievement of the program goals and objectives.
- Resolves conflict situations including client complaints and disputes. Listens, mediates, negotiates, and provides support and guidance to resolve issues and document outcomes.
- Facilitates community collaboration with key partners and/or builds capacity for partnerships with populations such as LGBTQIA2s+, mental health, addictions, diversity councils, faith-based assemblies, education bodies, justice panels, police, and community committees.
- Connects with staff from other programs and community agencies (e.g., hospitals, social workers, doctors, courts, immigration, shelters, drop-ins, health clinics, and legal programs) to provide program information.
- Report regularly to the Team Lead regarding issues of need and/or concern. In the event of a crisis or critical incident, immediately reports to the appropriate level.
- Follows appropriate policies and procedures of 360°kids. Ensures that the program operates in line with 360°kids’ mission, vision, and values and that activities comply with applicable standards and laws.
- Completes all mandatory recording and reporting including daily documentation, statistical data collection, numbers and outreach events that have taken place throughout the program days, and completing registration forms. Provides reports and related information to the Team Lead as required.
- Assumes responsibilities for all gift card expenditures according to 360°kids’ guidelines including balancing, budgeting, and documentation of daily operating costs.
- Participates in regular supervision meetings and performance appraisal meetings on a semiannual basis.
- Attends training workshops and relevant conferences that pertain to the role.
- Liaises with participants, parents, community partners, agencies, donors, coworkers, and volunteers. Develops positive relations with the communities being served by the program and with the general public.
- Other duties as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS OR SKILLS REQUIRED**:

- Post-Secondary degree/diploma child/youth related field (eg. Child and Youth Worker, Social Service Worker, Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology) or Students* currently in their 3rd/4th year of Post-Secondary studies (College/University) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.
- Minimum one year’s experience required working with at-risk youth and/or street-involved people. Advanced knowledge of issues relating to activities of street-involved people and knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Possesses strong personal ethics and integrity, as well as, exceptional interpersonal skills, including influencing, consensus/team building, facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, management, leadership, motivation, delegation, coaching/mentoring, and empowerment. Sound judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving ability with the willingness to stand behind and take responsibility for decisions and actions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, community agencies, and the public.
- Effective communicator, both orally and in writing, with all levels of staff, the public, and clients whi