Team Lead

**About Us**

The Portal Youth Outreach Association provides advocacy and outreach support to youth at risk in the Annapolis Valley. Our Vision is that the Annapolis Valley would be a place where all youth have a safe, supportive, and loving home. We work towards that vision by reducing the number of youth experiencing homelessness through a collaborative community approach with other youth serving organizations and making access to services simple, relational and timely.

We strive to provide support for youth and families from a strengths-based and relationship-based perspective. Given that many youth face multiple and complex challenges, working from a trauma informed lens is critical. Employees need to come prepared with this training and perspective or participate in such training. Our work is youth-centered and youth-engaged with the hope that youth have choice in the direction of their lives.

**Supportive Living Program Team Lead**

The Supportive Living Program (SLP) provides congregate housing and support for youth in Kentville, Windsor and Middleton. A wrap around care team of staff will deliver various support at different levels of care. The Team Lead will work as a part of the team in supporting clients and support staff in delivering the Supportive Living Program within one of three home locations. Home locations are in Middleton, Windsor and Kentville, N.S. The homes accommodate as many as 5-9 youth. The Team Lead would philosophically and functionally model a belief and lifestyle in keeping with the vision and values of the Portal Youth Outreach Association and the Supportive Living Program Core Outcomes.

**CORE COMPETENCIES**:

- **Critical Thinking**
- **Crisis Management**
- **Trauma-informed approach**
- **Teamwork**
- **Personal Resilience**
- **Leadership**
- **Administration**
- **Time Management**
- **Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution**
- **Accountability and Dependability**
- **Ethics and Integrity**
- **Planning and Organizing**
- **Mediating and Negotiating**
- **Communication**

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The Team Lead will oversee the daily activities of the house, provide support and guidance to staff and ensure staffing coverage to ensure the smooth running of programming to enable clients to gain life skills, promote mental wellness and find belonging in the local community.

**DUTIES INCLUDE**:

- Arrange last minute coverage and schedule casual staff.
- Oversee team communications.
- Facilitate the on boarding process of staff and clients in collaboration with the SLP Coordinator.
- Facilitate the departure process for clients and staff.
- Work with the SLP Coordinator and SLP Manager to develop and deliver staff training. ex: orientations, emergency procedures, incidents, daily routines etc.
- Schedule staff meetings and provide routine training.
- Provide logístical support of programming.
- Support staff on shift with problem solving and guidance.
- Supervise staff, provide performance evaluation and support.
- Lend support to staff in planning and carrying out of programming for youth to foster independence and healthy transition to adulthood by encouraging positive attitudes and reinforcing concrete daily living skills which are necessary for successful independent living.
- Provide in house client supervision.
- Support client morning routines.
- Monitor client intervention process.
- Be available to rotate for on-call emergencies after hours.
- Support clients and staff through crisis management processes.

**REQUIREMENTS**:

- Degree in Social Work, Community Development, Sociology or Psychology in combination with experience working with youth at risk (16-24). 4-year diploma + 2 years experience.

**OR**
- 2 -year Youth Work, Child and Youth Care, Addictions and Community Outreach Diploma or equivalent training and experience (2-year diploma + 4 years experience).
- Leadership skills training
- Five Core Competencies (MANDT, ASIST, NVCI, Mental Health First Aid and First Aid AED Level C).
- Equity and inclusion training
- Inclusive language training
- Training in Motivational Interviewing or equivalent

**OTHER TRAINING ASSETS**:

- Coaching skills
- Understanding of positive youth development

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: From $23.50 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

**Experience**:

- youth at risk work: 4 years (required)

Work Location: In person