Youth Worker

**FERNIE YOUTH SERVICES**

**MUSIC THERAPY YOUTH WORKER**

**JOB POSTING**

**About Us**:
Fernie Youth Services gives opportunities to young people that have been given up on, marginalized and excluded from opportunity. Guided by values of respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence we serve young people in and at risk of being in conflict with the law on a journey towards reintegration and purposeful living. Caring Beyond Reason is at the heart of our programs for young people and their families and at the heart of all we do. To date, Fernie has put over 6,000 young men and women on new paths to become contributing, law-abiding citizens.

**What’s it like to work here?**

Always going above and beyond, we give the next generation hope to become the best versions of themselves. That is us. An organization of diverse professionals focused on creating a feel of hope and of purpose in the young persons we support. And we support each other, through learning, listening and support to develop a career of value and meaning, wherever you are on your career journey. And we have big plans Journey of Hope, our 3-year strategic plan, is full of exciting new ideas to expand our reach - to reach more young people, in more communities, and in more ways - for the next 6,000 young people.

**About the Role**:Music Therapy Youth Worker

Fernie Youth Services is launching an urban music therapy program. Over 16 weeks, the Beat Builders program will equip youth experiencing obstacles with new skills, tools, and meaningful mentorship to boost their mental health and sense of accomplishment in the short term while empowering them with skills to flourish in the long term.

This position is a key part of Fernie Youth Services Community Service Programming. Specifically, this role belongs to the Beat Builders urban music therapy program and is focused on ensuring the day-to-day operations of the program are upheld to a high standard and that clients are following through with goals and plans outlined in their Individualized Plans.

The Youth Worker will support the Clinical Lead along with the Music Producer to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of each client. A key element of this job is managing the balance of clinical mental health programming (as driven by the Clinical Lead) and music production and digital skill building (as driven by the Music Producer) through program checklists and reporting, team communication and client focus.

The Youth Worker is aware of how to manage challenging behaviors by youth, and how to ensure they are safe, secure, and monitored at all times while in the program. The Youth Worker should be aware of community mental health supports, how to complete referrals based on client needs, and work closely with the Clinical Lead to ensure wraparound services and continuity of care are implemented.

The Youth Worker ensures each session stays on track, that obstacles and interests of clients are heard and actioned, and accurate program and client documentation is kept.

As part of the overall Fernie Youth Services team, the Music Therapy Youth Worker will participate in staff-wide meetings, communications and other activities.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Creating a safe, supportive, and productive atmosphere in each session
- Listening and responding to youth needs, obstacles, and interests
- Delivering program sessions with the Beat Builders team
- Completing Intake, Attendance and Assessment Forms
- Working with all staff to develop an Individualized Support Plan
- Collecting Client/Stakeholder Feedback Form (Needs, obstacles, interests)
- Assisting Clinician with referrals to internal/external programs
- Creating and implementing key program supports: meal plan, transit passes, supplies
- Gathering data for program reports: budges, supplies, equipment,
- Following established Health and Safety Protocols
- Ensuring spaces, supplies and equipment are in good status, through checklists and reviews
- Engaging in Fernie Youth Services organization-wide activities

**About You**:Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Diploma or Bachelor of CYC or related discipline
- 2 years of experience working with marginalized/disadvantaged youth
- Experience with Behaviour Management and challenging behaviours
- Experience supporting and mentoring young people including at-risk or justice involved youth
- Experience managing youth programs or activities, especially those with a focus on mental/physical health, and/or crime
- Communicate with social workers, teachers, probation officers and the police
- Experience with Culturally Informed, Trauma-Informed, and Empowerment-based practices is an asset
- Technology and Social Media Awareness an asset
- Ability to work with clients and co-workers from diverse backgrounds
- Working in team environments
- Excellent time management, organization, and administrative skills
- Police Record Check with vulnerable sector screening
- Minimum 2 COVID-19 vaccinations

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