Youth Peer Support Worker

This position includes some benefits, including option enrollment in our defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan), and three weeks of paid vacation.

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada and at our organization on an ongoing basis.

The John Howard Society of North Island is an employment equity employer.

This position is open to applicants of all genders.

This position requires union membership and the completion of two criminal record checks.

All union JJEP/Paraprofessional positions are subject to wage grid levels. Positions begin at Step 1 and are increased to Steps 2 through 4 based on number of hours worked.

Job Description

Job Title: Youth Peer Support Worker

Work sites: Campbell River, Courtenay, Gold River

Program: Foundry Campbell River, Foundry Comox Valley, Gold River

Benchmark: Activity Worker

Grid Level:Grid8, JJEP

Reports to:Program Manager

Summary

In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, the Youth Peer Support Worker works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide youth peer support. Plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates community-based recreational, social and/or education activities for youth aged 12 – 24. Encourages youth to participate in programs and activities through fostering the development of relationships based on respect and role-modelling. Facilitates group and one-to-one youth peer support meetings, and plans and delivers information sessions. Acts as a resource to service providers and youth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

To perform the job successfully, under the direction of the supervisor, the Youth Peer Support Worker must be able to perform consistently each essential duty satisfactorily. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates community-based recreational, social and/or educational activities to meet clients' needs.
• Encourages and facilitates clients' participation in activities; provides guidance and instructions.
• Monitors and observes client's behaviour. Reports problems to the supervisor.
• Provides skill-building to clients such as life skills and social skills; models appropriate behaviour.
• Provides support to youth accessing services.
• Ensures safety of clients. Responds to emergencies in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Participates in the development of individual activity plans.
• Helps with systems navigation.
• Supports orientation to Foundry regarding services offered.
• Supports outreach by assisting clients to attend appointments and access community resources.
• Accompanies clients to activities.
• Maintains related records and statistics and produces reports as required.
• Maintains liaison with clients' families, other community service providers and professionals.
• Assists with groups.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Training and Experience

• Six (6) months recent related experience working in youth peer support programs or recent experience in leadership programs at high school which should include:
• Solid knowledge of common types of computer software such as Microsoft Office and Power point and the use of social media.
• Some knowledge and awareness of mental health and community resources and supports.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Well-developed communications skills including active listening, and oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain rapport with peers.
• Demonstrated time management skills, accountability, reliability, and punctuality.
• This position has no education requirement.
• The worker must have a valid driver's licence and safe, reliable transportation, and must obtain appropriate insurance as per Society policy.

Other Skills and Abilities

Worker must:

• Demonstrate a level of cultural sensitivity and understanding of the client population's cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Have the ability to form a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families in which they are helped to gain skills and confidence to address any issues and problems they face.
• Have the ability to accept the differences they will find among their clients.
• Accept clients' rights to self-determination and individuality, and must not discriminate on the basis of Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, socio-economic status, political affiliations, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.
• Have a positive conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Have the ability to work respectfully in partnership with other team members, including referring authorities.
• Recognize the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
• Have the ability to recognize persons with special needs and make appropriate referrals.
• Have the ability to set limits and maintain the helping role for the practitioner and to intervene appropriately to meet the needs of the persons served or other family members.
• Demonstrate high degree of self-awareness and the capacity to apply appropriate boundaries and maintain confidentiality.
• Have basic computer and Internet skills.

Other Job Requirements

• The Youth Peer Support Worker may be involved in co-ordinating and/or participating in activities with clients, which may include physical, outdoor or other active elements.
• Two completed, acceptable criminal record checks, one from the Criminal Records Review Program through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and one from the Canadian Criminal Record Search of the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records, the Canadian Police Information Centre, and the Police Information Portal.
• The Youth Peer Support Worker will follow the Code of Ethics and the Mission Statement of The John Howard Society of North Island.

Diversity

The John Howard Society of North Island welcomes applications from all qualified applicants including but not limited by those of any gender, race, orientation, or disability. Multilingual skills and multicultural competence are assets.

Application

Please attach a cover letter and 3 references to your application.

---