Youth Worker

Posted on: September 27, 2024Job Location:
- Halifax**YOUTH WORKER, PHOENIX YOUTH SHELTER**

**FULL-TIME, PERMANENT**

**START DATE: As soon as possible**

Since 1987, Phoenix has been dedicated to supporting youth and contributing to a vibrant community. Phoenix’s thirteen locations in Halifax, N.S. provide a continuum of care for youth aged 11-24 and their families. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.

A staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve is of the utmost importance. Phoenix is committed to reducing barriers that have traditionally impacted access to employment and career growth. As such, we encourage those interested to self-identify their ethnicity, and or race, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. We also invite you to share your pronouns in your cover letter or resume.
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**Program**:Phoenix Youth Shelter provides free, safe, emergency accommodation to youth ages 16-24. The Shelter supplies daily essentials (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) around the clock to youth who seek support. All residents have access to daily programming and are connected with a Key Worker who provides on-going guidance and support to help residents meet their identified goals.

**Job Summary**: Youth Workers work at our emergency youth shelter, a program for youth aged 16-24 experiencing a housing crisis. Reporting to the Program Manager, Youth Workers plan and deliver nightly youth-centred programming, such as painting, crafts, community walks, baking, or movie nights. Youth workers also handle day-to-day shelter responsibilities, including meal preparation, answering phones, conducting intakes, and maintaining a therapeutic milieu in the shelter space.

**Compensation**:$47,716, comprehensive group medical insurance plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, 3% RRSP contribution, three weeks of vacation in the first year and four in the second, generous sick leave, a generous paid holiday schedule, in-house trainings and professional development opportunities.

**Hours of Work**:80 hours bi-weekly with shifts (usually 8 or 12 hours) that fall during days, evenings and awake-overnights, weekdays and weekends.

**Location**:Phoenix Youth Shelter, 1094 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

**Reports to**: Manager, Phoenix Youth Shelter.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Supervise and monitor the Shelter’s day-to-day activities and ensure that policies, security and safety are maintained.
- Assess and address the immediate and basic needs of the program’s youth.
- Provide support, crisis intervention and programming for youth.
- Dispense medication to youth following medication dispensing protocols.
- Provide a supportive environment that promotes youth empowerment.
- Fulfill significant cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
- Contribute to building maintenance to ensure a therapeutic milieu.
- Assist in training new staff, students and volunteers as required.
- Supervise field placement students and support the supervision of volunteers.
- Complete and maintain logs, files and records and ensure confidentiality is protected.
- Commit to the development of the Association and participate in internal committees, projects and activities.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma, or another relevant undergraduate degree.
- Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
- A minimum of two years’ experience working in a youth residential setting.
- Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness.
- Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client-directed approach and a social justice perspective).
- Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention.
- Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs and maintain a fairly active pace.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Non-violent crisis intervention (CPI), suicide intervention (ASIST), standard first aid or a commitment to secure these certifications within six months of being hired.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
- Note that interviews may take place during the posting period.