Youth Service Worker

**JOB SUMMARY**

Working as part of the Integrated Family Service Team, this position provides direct support to youth (12 to 19 years) and their families along the continuum of programs and services provided through Burnside Gorge Community Association (BGCA). This is an integrated position of two programs: Youth and Family Outreach and Youth Self Sufficiency. It includes working in the following programs:

- Youth and Family Outreach_ - The primary goal of Youth and Family Outreach is to strengthen youth and family functioning by reducing risks to youth (12-18 yrs) and assisting in the development of healthy peer and family relationships. This includes: one to one support, crisis intervention, life skill development, service navigation and referrals to appropriate services. In addition, conflict resolution and parent/teen mediation will be used to stabilize families. Other support services may include: facilitated education and support groups for youth and/or their families, and youth leadership opportunities.
- Youth Self Sufficiency_ - This program supports youth ages 17 - 21 in foster care, on Youth Agreements or with few family supports to transition successfully into adulthood. It includes: facilitation of the program, including one to one support, group and community support services to youth, assist youth to define their needs, establish goals and identify strategies to meet those goals in the following areas: education, housing and rental knowledge, employment and job skills, relationships, daily living skills, financial literacy, health identity and emotional healing.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Service Delivery_
- Work with individual youth and/or their families to assess and plan for needs and identify required resources, including action planning and goal setting
- Design and implement support and education groups for youth and/or families
- Provide individualized support to youth and families in their homes and community-home outreach support to youth and their families
- Assist youth to develop life skills related to areas of employment, education, social relationships and daily living
- Coordinate and /or design skill development opportunities to find and maintain housing and financial planning, budgeting, meal prep and nutrition
- Crisis intervention and creation of safety plans
- Assist youth to create a healthy support network
- Provide parenting support
- Facilitate peer mentoring and other mentoring opportunities, youth social skill development and leadership opportunities
- Facilitate parent/teen mediation
- Assist youth and families with service navigation and referrals to other agencies
- Liaise with parents/caregivers, school counsellors, other youth workers, mental health workers and MCFD
- Ability to support programs by participating on various committees and community partnership meetings
- Facilitate program evaluation
- Administration:_
- Facilitate and maintain youth colour wheel assessments
- Maintain appropriate client records
- Record and maintain all necessary statistical data

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary Degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, or another relevant field
- Experience working with at-risk youth and/or families
- Comprehensive knowledge of issues impacting youth including suicide prevention and mental health issues
- Experience and understanding of the Child Welfare System
- Experience in an Integrated Case Management model
- Understanding of relevant legislation including: Child Family and Community Services Act, Residential Tenancy Act, and the BC Government Employment and Assistance Act
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of youth services, community resources and opportunities for youth
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated conflict resolution, advocacy, crisis intervention and mediation skills
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with MCFD Social Workers and community partners
- Excellent writing, file management and computer skills
- Must have a valid Class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle

**WAGE AND BENEFITS**: BGCA offers a competitive extended health benefits package and an opportunity to opt into a matched RRSP after a successful three-month probation period

**HOURS OF WORK**

25 hours per week

**COMPENSATION**

$26.50 per hour

**REPORTS TO**

Integrated Family Services Team Lead

**DEADLINE TO APPLY**: Open until filled

**TO APPLY**:
Burnside Gorge Community Association

Attn: Karen Bahrey

Fax: 250-388-5269

Mailing address: 471 Cecelia Road, Victoria, BC V8T 4T4

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $26.50 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Store discount
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (prefer