Youth and Family Counsellor

**Youth and Family Counsellor / Group Facilitator**

Young Moms Program

Classification: Permanent Full Time

Placement: September 2024 (date negotiable)
Salary Range: $33.00 - $34.50 per hour ($60,060 - $62,790 annually, 35-hour work week)
Benefit and Pension Plans: Yes (see below)
- **Nature and Scope**:
The Y Young Moms Program (YMP) is a transitional supportive housing program, which supports young
mothers (aged 16-29) and their (pre-school aged) children, in 10 self-contained units. The YMP
counselling and parenting program uses a harm reduction, strength based and trauma informed
approach to support young women to develop their parenting and life skills while building resilience and
reducing risk.

The counsellor provides a wide variety of supportive services including: facilitating group programming;
screening prospective residents for program admission; individual counselling, developing goal plans and
providing emotional support; parent assessment and support; child development assessment; daily living
activities support; crisis intervention; harm reduction and risk assessment; liaise with community
agencies; and reconnecting to the community. Further information is available here: Community Health

The successful applicant for this position will contribute their skills and abilities to a highly dedicated and
collaborative team. **The standard 35-hour work week is from Monday to Friday**; some flexibility is
required to meet the needs of our clients. This permanent full-time position is entitled to a YMCA-YWCA
individual membership; 15 days paid vacation; paid sick days (18 per year, accrued); and a cost-shared
benefits package (after completion of the probationary period) which includes:

- Health Care, Drug Plan, Dental, Vision, EAP
- Extended Health Care, LTD and Life Insurance
- YMCA Canada Pension Plan (eligible after one year)

Further benefits are outlined in the Personnel Policies.

**Major Responsibilities**:

- Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with a person centered, trauma informed,
- solution focused problem solving and motivational counselling approach
- Participate in the development of service plans for young families with multiple service

needs related to mental health issues, substance recovery, family violence, poverty, abuse,
or neglect
- Promote and develop young women’s personal growth and independence; monitor and

support clients’ well-being and goals
- Promote and develop young women’s parenting skills through assessment and child

development education, positive parenting, and attachment-based parenting
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- Facilitate access to community resources through referrals and advocacy
- Group programming: facilitate parent drop in, weekly discussion circle, community dinner etc.
- Assist with intake and screening process for program placement: program tours, intake
- interviews, reference checks, program orientation
- Provide effective crisis management and conflict resolution including active listening, problem
- solving, respectful limit setting and re-framing
- Adhere to all YMCA-YWCA policies and procedures

**Qualifications**:

- Degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, counselling, psychology or a related discipline
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of applicable legislation
- Minimum 2 years’ experience working with multi-barriered youth; experience supporting

young, at-risk families is preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of childhood developmental stages and parenting strategies
- Experience working with trauma impacted individuals and an understanding of mental health

and substance use issues
- Experience with group facilitation preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team and with other professionals
- Possess strong skills in advocacy, mediation, counselling skills, and effective interpersonal

skills; effective communication skills
- Valid BC Driver’s License (Class 5) with a safe driving record, and a reliable vehicle with

adequate insurance
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR C required
- Clear Police/RCMP Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening required (prior to

**Competencies**:

- Commitment to Organization Vision and Values
- Communication
- Coaching and Development
- Problem solving and Conflict Resolution
- Planning and Organization
- Initiative
- **To Apply**:Please send a cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources
YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island

**_Please Note:_**
**_1. _**_Applications will be short-listed for interviews as they are received. _

**_The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island is an equal opportunity employer._**

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