Youth Outreach Worker-frn

**Reports to**: Program Lead, Community Wellness and Supports

**Employment Type**: Part-Time (20 hours per week)/Contract (9 Months)

**Location**: Based in Camrose, Alberta, with travel to surrounding communities in East Central Alberta

**Overview**

The Youth Outreach Worker will provide proactive outreach, engagement, and support to children, youth (ages 7-18), and their families as part of The Open Doors’ Family Resource Network (FRN) Spoke Services. The goal is to foster resilience, well-being, and social connections through informal mentorship, life skills development, and linkage to relevant community resources.

This position focuses on increasing youth engagement, reducing isolation, and building positive relationships that support healthy development.

**Primary Duties & Responsibilities**

1. **Youth Outreach & Engagement**
- Conduct outreach activities in schools, community settings, and partner agencies to engage children, youth, and families.
- Build trusting relationships with youth to provide informal mentorship and guidance.
- Identify youth and families who may benefit from additional supports through the FRN Spoke Services.

2. **Program Delivery**
- Support delivery of evidence-informed programming in alignment with the Child Development & Well-being (CDW) and Social Connections and Supports (SCS) outcomes of the FRN framework.
- Co-facilitate workshops, life skills sessions, recreational activities, and community-building events for youth.
- Adapt activities to meet the developmental, cultural, and individual needs of participants.

3. **Individual Support & Referral**
- Conduct initial needs assessments in collaboration with the Program Lead.
- Connect youth and families to appropriate internal and external supports, including mental health services, housing supports, and educational/employment services.
- Assist youth in navigating community resources and services.
- Provide follow-up support and informal check-ins to promote stability and engagement.

4. **Cultural Responsiveness & Inclusion**
- Ensure that all programming is culturally responsive and inclusive of Indigenous, sexually and gender-diverse, and culturally diverse youth
- Incorporate trauma-informed and harm-reduction principles in service delivery.

5. **Documentation & Reporting**
- Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, participant engagement, and referrals.
- Track attendance, outcomes, and youth feedback for evaluation and reporting.
- Submit regular reports to the Program Lead on outreach activities, program impacts, and identified needs in the community.

6. **Collaboration & Teamwork**
- Work closely with the Program Lead and team to coordinate services and ensure a wraparound approach.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and training to support program quality and staff development.
- Collaborate with community partners and attend relevant inter-agency meetings as required.

7. **Other Duties**
- Perform other duties as assigned, to support organizational and program goals.

**Requirements**:
**Education & Experience**
- Diploma or certificate in Child & Youth Care, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Minimum 1-2 years of experience working with youth and families, preferably in an outreach or community-based role.
- Experience working with vulnerable and marginalized populations is an asset.

**Skills & Competencies**
- Ability to engage and build rapport with diverse youth populations.
- Strong understanding of youth development, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction approaches.
- Knowledge of rural service delivery barriers and community resources in East Central Alberta.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.

**Certifications & Other Requirements**
- Current Standard First Aid & CPR Certification.
- ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) or equivalent is an asset.
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention/De-escalation training is an asset.
- Clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Class 5 Driver’s License and Driver's Abstract.

**Work Conditions**

**Physical Environment**
- Based in Camrose, Alberta, with travel required across East Central Alberta to engage youth and families in community settings.
- Work conducted in various locations, including community centers, schools, homes, and other outreach sites.

**Work Schedule**
- Part-time position (20 hours per week).
- Flexible hours required, including some evening and occasional weekend work to accommodate youth and family schedules and community events.

**Health & Safety**
- Adherence to all health and safety guidelines as outlined by The Open Doors and public health authorities.
- Participation in regular supervision and team debriefing to promote staff wellness.

**Outcomes & G