Emergency Shelter Outreach Worker

**Brief Job Summary**:
This is a temporary, 32-hour salaried position which provides Outreach support services to the Youth Emergency Shelter Program (YES) in Maple Ridge. The schedule for this position will be based on program needs but will include at least one weekend shift. The schedule will likely by Wednesday-Friday plus a weekend shift, or Thursday-Sunday.

**The Outreach Worker is required**:

- To be familiar with and adhere to the procedures and policies of the agency.
- To deliver the program services and outcomes in accordance with the government contract, standards, acts, regulations and licensing requirements.
- To set an example for others through personal behavior which is respectful of others and which models professional ethics.
- To work towards a common vision and uphold the mission statement and philosophy of the agency.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
1. Identifies potential recipients of the YES Services program.

2. Gathers information relevant to the Youth’s problems, needs, and risks by interviewing, observing behavior, meeting with caregivers and service providers and using a variety of inventories, checklists, and questionnaires. Reviews the information gathered to identify problems, needs and risks.

3. Is mobile to meet Youth in need of an outreach service at the Youth’s location, including in the community, in home settings, at schools, and at appointment with mental health clinicians, social workers or primary care physicians.

4. Collaborates and coordinates with multidisciplinary team(s) and MCFD staff to meet the needs of Youth in the community.

5. Works with the families of Youth.

6. Develops and implements short-term, issue-specific intervention plans within program guidelines in consultation with the supervisor, as applicable.

7. Plans, prepares, and conducts group or individual counselling sessions using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic group counselling, and basic psycho-educational group methods to resolve the identified problems, needs and risks.

8. Provides skill building in areas such as coping, anxiety and depression, communication, healthy relationships, sexual health, mental health, substance misuse, building strengths and goal setting.

9. Evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention plan, report on Youth’s progress, and discusses related concerns with the supervisor in order to resolve identified problems and move towards defined objectives.

10. Outlines eservices provided by the program and/or organization. Provides information on and referral to other community service providers, resources and professional as required.

11. Maintains related records and statistics and provides reports to the supervisor as required.

12. Liaises with and/or promotes the interests of the Youth with other community service providers, professionals and school personnel as required. Accompanies Youth to meetings and appointments as required.

13. Builds trust with Youth in the community and facilitates positive connections between Youth to promoted relationship building based on Youths’ needs and interests, through organizing gatherings such as Youth Pride groups, nature walks, board game evenings or cooking together.

14. Coordinates with Program Manager and other YES Services Personnel regarding YES Overnight Service and YES Drop-in Day Programming services activities, needs and planning.

15. Provides YES Outreach Services.

16. Ensures that the health and safety needs of the client are met.

17. Takes responsibility for the correct use and maintenance of agency facilities and equipment.

18. Performs other related duties as required.

**Qualifications**:

- A minimum 4-year relevant degree, or equivalent of education/experience working with children and youth with behavioral, attachment and other needs from a Trauma-informed lens.
- Specific training in behavioral modification, attachment-based parenting, harm reduction, cultural safety, first aid, crisis intervention and relationship-based interventions (Trauma-informed practice).
- Specific program, legislative/policy, provincial and other government frameworks and systems, labor relations or professional knowledge may be required depending on individual agency requirements.

**All Outreach Workers must possess**:

- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to teach skills and work effectively with others.
- Knowledge of theory, principles and practices in the field.
- Good time and general management skills.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Successfully screened in clearance through MCFD Hub; renewed every 3 years.
- Familiarity with use of computers and other electronic devices.
- Valid class 5 BC driver’s license and abstract.
- Fully vaccinated.

Additional qualifications will include Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training and Medical Clearance.

16. Ensures that the health and safety needs of the client are met.

17. Ta