Youth Worker

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Youth Worker - Dusk to Dawn Program

**Youth Worker - Dusk to Dawn Program Part-Time**

Competition #28-24

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Working within the mission, vision, values and person-centered philosophy of the Agency, the Dusk to Dawn program works to support youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the 24-hour Directions Youth Services Centre. The Youth Worker - Dusk to Dawn position is a part-time salaried role that serves youth who are unhoused, precariously housed, or sleeping rough, 24 years of age and under, struggle with substance use, face mental health challenges, are neurodiverse, are sexually exploited, have criminal involvement, and/or are in crisis. This position takes a leadership role in maintaining the safety of the resource, and acts in a mentoring role with Peers and Youth Support Workers. This position reports to the Dusk to Dawn Supervisor. The position actively supports the Agency’s awareness and goals around diversity, inclusion justice and equity.

About our Opportunity:
**Our Valued Benefits**:

- Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full-time staff growing to more + (pro-rated for part-time)
- Three paid household leave days a year
- Two paid Wellness Days a year
- Paid sick days
- Two and a half paid Agency days for full-time staff
- Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)
- One paid Moving Day/year
- Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)
- A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

**Health and Wellness Resources**:

- Generous health/dental benefits after three months.
- Three flex benefit options to meet your individualized needs
- Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

**Pension**: Municipal Pension plan enrollment for eligible employees

**Work Hours**: Thursdays-Saturdays, Thursdays 4 pm-12 am, Fridays/Saturdays 3:45 pm - 11:45pm

21 hours/week (8-hour shifts including 1-hour paid break per shift) (Part-Time)

**Salary**: GS 8 Step 1 $26.06 per hour

**Location**: 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

**Posting End Date**:Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:

- Intake and assessment of new clients’ access, pre-screening, and determining if they are an appropriate fit for the program, and making referrals when required
- Identify individual needs for youth accessing the centre and provide support, encouragement, collaboration and education to clients in matters related to crisis intervention, harm reduction, conflict resolution, community resources, substance use information, and advocacy to clients and referral calls utilizing youth social work best practice
- Take a leadership role in the management of emergency and crisis situations by personally employing non-violent crisis prevention and intervention strategies, initiating first aid, calling emergency services, and/or delegating these tasks
- Maintain appropriate notes, statistics, logs, and critical incidents in a professional and thorough manner in the online database where applicable
- Offer “leadership support” to Peers and Youth Support Workers
- Participate in training practicum students and trainees in a job shadow model

**Education, Training, Experience**
- Diploma in social work or youth care/certificate in a related field
- Minimum one year of work experience with an emphasis on homelessness, mental health, substance use, and/or social services
- Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Current First Aid Certificate
- Lived experience is considered an asset

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Ability to engage in client-centered change by establishing respectful relationships and increasing client motivation for positive change and ability to observe and recognize change in clients
- Ability to initiate and influence case management and creatively support complex decision-making
- Ability to share best practices with more junior staff and lead in circumstances where required
- Knowled