Temporary Full-time Youth Development Worker

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a **Temporary Full-Time Youth Development Worker**for our Tri-Cities Youth Services team located in Port Coquitlam, BC. This temporary contract is proposed to start as soon as possible, and end upon the return of the incumbent. This position requires BCGEU membership.

The Youth Development Worker spends community-based, one-on-one time with youth to address the full range of their complex needs. Participants have a variety of complex personal, health and social support needs including aggressive behavior, addictions, mental illness, autism, and FASD. The employee will assist the youth to accomplish goals related to education, employment, relationship building, and their transition to independence**.**

**Hours of Work**:The usual hours of work in this position are Sunday to Thursday based on a flextime scheduling arrangement, including days, evenings, and weekends, of 35 working hours per week.

**Education/Experience Requirements**:

- A Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences or human services or a related discipline.
- One (1) year of recent experience working in programs with youth who are at risk, including work with youth involved in the criminal justice system, and their families/caregivers.

**Closing date for Internal Applications**: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:30PM. If the position is not filled internally, it will remain open until filled.

**Who We Are**:
PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community-based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual’s diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve to overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives.

**What You Will Do**:

- Develop positive relationships with youth that will provide them with the emotional support and practical assistance required to address their strengths, needs and circumstances, achieve their personal goals, and increase their protective factors.
- Plan and implement strategies, activities and interventions that address the issues that youth present in the five domains (individual, family, peers, school/employment and community) of their lives using a positive youth development approach.
- Develop collaborative relationships with youth's family/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
- Facilitate access to community resources and specialized services when required by youth and their families/caregivers to ensure they receive services that are integrated, timely and meet their identified needs. Include formal and informal support systems as an integral part of all work with youth and their families.
- Participate in Integrated Case Management planning processes, function as the key worker for youth on a team of professionals when required, and provide ongoing coordination of services to youth and their families/caregivers. Work closely with Ministry personnel to ensure the safety and well being of youth served, and that case management objectives are met.
- Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of Youth Court Orders, and Extra Judicial Sanctions including reparative conditions and completion of Community Service Work hours. Perform curfew checks as required, and report all known instances of non-compliance to the supervising probation officers.
- Assist youth to meet the goals identified in their Youth Agreements. These may include, but are not limited to: locating and maintaining safe and stable housing, accessing financial, educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities, developing adult competencies and strengthening their connections to the community and resources.
- Teach youth the life skills they require to make their transition to living independently as successful as possible. Work with youth individually, and in groups when appropriate to develop effective communication, problem solving, conflict management, personal care, and money management skills. Provide emotional support and encouragement to youth in making safer choices, and using their strengths and abilities to manage difficult situations.
- Support youth’s family/caregivers individually or through facilitation of educational groups. Provide advice, assistance, mediation and crisis intervention services to families/caregivers when required.
- Develop strategies that are effective in connecting youth who are at risk of homelessness, or are already homeless, or are experiencing other significant challenges in their lives, to the supports and services they require.
- Respond to critical incidents and implement crisis intervention strategies that address the specific health and safety issues of those involved, and inform t