Educational Assistant

**Terry Fox House (TFH) provides open custody/detention services and programs for young males aged 12 - 17 who are in detention awaiting court or serving a period of custody as prescribed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). This community-based at-home program supports youth in addressing those challenges that may have led to their involvement within the youth justice system, and works to reconnect them within their communities.**

The position involves shift work which entails 7-day, 24-hour coverage - flexibility to work on days, afternoon/evenings and wake overnights, weekdays, weekends and beyond regular shifts as needed. Travel to other locations/communities due to programming is required.

**WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE**
- Implement educational based programs and/or assist in the administration of a ECPP school program
- Partner with the TDSB in a collaborative manner to promote education and programming for the youth in care
- Develop and administer education based, client centered plans. Participate in on-going program planning and development.
- Participate in the supervision, training, and developmental growth of staff members, students and volunteers.
- Group Facilitation - Provide individuals with direction or advice as to a decision or course of action for his daily living activities, including but not limited to: hygiene, budgeting, cooking and preparing meals for youth during the day program, nutrition, social skills and community, and achieving specific goals.
- Support and Counselling - Provide counselling and support to clients within the program and their families. Assist clients in reaching their individual goals, including support/programming and case management.
- Community Outreach/Outings - Oversee and supervise community/recreational outings for individual or group of clients, liaising with community partners and referral sources, escorting youth to appointments via house vehicle and TTC. Driving the youth from the house to school and/or community on a daily basis.
- Administrative Duties - Provide clerical/reception and administrative support to the program.
- Health and Safety - Foster a safe and healthy work environment for the residence, the residents and the staff as per policies, procedures and the legislation. Deal with crisis situations that may involve volatile behavior.

**WHO YOU ARE**
- Post-Secondary diploma / degree in the Social Services field e.g. Child and Youth Worker, Youth Justice
- Valid First Aid and CPI certifications
- At least one (1) year of recent work experience in the following areas:

- services/programs for young males aged 12 -17 who are in detention awaiting court or serving a period of custody as prescribed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act
- working with youth who have been in the criminal system, including experience in conflict management, providing individualized support, and supervising community/recreational outing
- group facilitation in a community setting, modify, implement, evaluate new and existing programs; crisis intervention/management; client intake, assessment, counselling, conflict resolution
- use multimedia teaching tools such as Smart Board, Community Learning Hub
- Working knowledge of the Social and Criminal Justice systems.
- Knowledge of relevant counselling practices and effective counselling skills to ensure optimum service for participants
- Knowledge of community resources, both internal and external.
- Working knowledge and skills in using a computer and computer systems (e.g. MS Word)
- Proven group facilitation skills to lead individuals in regards to educational and life skills issues within a classroom setting and in the community.
- Skills in: counselling, teaching, group and individual facilitation, communication, conflict resolution, mathematics and administrative.
- Assessment skills required for both the delivery of service to participants and daily operational/programming issues, including determination of suitability and risk.
- Program planning skills to implement, evaluate and modify new and existing programs, as needed.
- Effective crisis intervention skills to diffuse confrontational situations. Ability to work well under pressure to ensure mínimal interruption in service delivery. Deal with crisis situations that may involve volatile behavior.
- Written/Verbal communication skills in English, to communicate ideas, instructions and information in a clear, concise manner, possessing the ability to adjust to the receivers needs regarding various levels of communication.
- Identify and handle confidential materials as per organizational policies and procedures and legal standards.
- Cognizant of the sensitive nature of all client and staff information that are processed routinely.
- Use of conflict resolution and crisis intervention and/or safe management tools and techniques when dealing with challenging behavior, community partners and team members and when assisting them in resolving issues.
- Refer to