System Navigator

**About The Link: Youth and Family Supports**

For more than 90 years, The Link has helped youth and families on a journey to healing, hope and better lives. The organization is dedicated to walking alongside children, youth, and families as an inclusive community, strengthening and empowering a sense of being, pride, and purpose. With over 15 diverse programs, The Link has a community of caring staff that work together to provide support through a 24-hour crisis line, youth resource centres, emergency shelters, mobile crisis teams, specialized foster care, healing homes, job readiness supports, and Skills4Life. With a strong foundation within the community and a focus on connection, unity, and compassion, the organization provides a vital link for youth and families in the province of Manitoba

**About the Opportunity**

**SUMMARY**:The Link Youth and Family Supports System Navigators work collaboratively with the System Navigation Team (SNT) in the Link HUB/Drop-in, supporting youth between the ages of 12 - 25 who are struggling to overcome systemic barriers. The System Navigator works closely with our System Navigation Team and Manager of Community Services to help the youth identify their needs, and support/facilitate connection to appropriate and meaningful resources, supports, and services.

Duties and responsibilities are informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and grounded in the importance of culture, ceremony, and community. Additionally, the System Navigator understands and works within trauma-informed, resiliency, harm-reduction and person-centered frameworks. Duties may be performed alone, or within a team environment. System Navigators ensure youth safety, choice, and control in this role.

The System Navigator will support youth who are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused, providing support and advocacy in systems including but not limited to EIA, housing, identification, mental health, CLDS and CFS.

**PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES**:Reporting to the Manager of Community Services, the duties and responsibilities of the System Navigator include, but are not limited to:

- Supporting youth attending the drop-in/HUB at 175 Mayfair for supports and services.
- Developing trusting relationships with youth to ensure both that the youth is in control and active in their future planning, as well as services received meet their identified needs.
- Help connect youth to community resources (formal and informal supports) to meet the needs they have identified
- Facilitate HUB recreational activities as well as life skills workshops weekly
- Support youth plans and HUB programming in conjunction with the System Navigation team, Case Manager and Program Coordinator.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge and information on a wide variety of systems that intersect for our youth, including but not limited to: CFS, EIA, CLDS, mental health, housing and harm reduction. Develop and maintain close working relationships with resources and service providers working in these areas.
- Engage youth and manage dynamics in the drop-in, including providing de-escalation and crisis support
- Prepare and maintain accurate and timely records and reports, as per program requirements
- This position will be required to work flexible hours which may include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the youth.
- Travel within city limits based on program needs and as directed by the manager
- Other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Essential**:

- Post-secondary education or a combination of education, work experience and lived experience may be considered
- Experience working with youth navigating complex systems and barriers
- Knowledge of trauma and resilience informed care
- Strong relationship building skills and experience in de-escalation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Emergency First Aid and CPR Level C
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, a clear Child Abuse Registry check with acceptable Prior Contact checks and a clear Adult Abuse Registry check, all done within the last 3 months
- ASIST Certificate (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) preferred
- NVCI Certificate (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training) preferred
- Mental Health First Aid & Safe Talk will be considered an asset
- Knowledge of Indigenous customs, traditions, and beliefs will be considered an asset

**Preferred**:

- Experience responding to youth and adult crises, substance use, and mental health.
- Knowledge of and experience with a wide variety of youth and adult systems and resources including CFS, EIA, social service systems, mental health systems, substance use/harm reduction, housing, medical, etc.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification.
- Valid Manitoba 5F Driver's License.

**SALARY RANGE**:20-24.73/hour.

**HOURS OF WORK**:Full Time with 40 hours per week.** **Combination of days, evenings, and alternating weekends.

**HOW TO APPLY**: Applicants must demonstrate