Youth Development Worker

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Youth Development Worker for our Ridge Meadows Youth Services team located in Maple Ridge, BC. This temporary fixed-term contract is projected to start on December 14, 2025, and end June 15, 2026. This position requires BCGEU membership.

The Youth Development Worker spends community-based, one-on-one time with youth to address the full range of their complex needs. Participants have a variety of complex personal, health and social support needs including aggressive behavior, addictions, mental illness, autism, and FASD. The employee will assist the youth to accomplish goals related to education, employment, relationship building, and their transition to independence.

Hours of Work: The usual hours of work in this position are Sunday to Thursday based on a flextime scheduling arrangement, including days and evenings, of 35 working hours per week.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences or human services or a related discipline.
• One (1) year of recent experience working in programs with youth who are at risk, including work with youth involved in the criminal justice system, and their families/caregivers.

Closing date for Internal Applications: The deadline for internal applications has now passed and we are welcoming applications from external candidates.

Who We Are:

PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community-based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual's diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve to overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives.

What You Will Do: 

• Develop positive relationships with youth that will provide them with the emotional support and practical assistance required to address their strengths, needs and circumstances, achieve their personal goals, and increase their protective factors.
• Plan and implement strategies, activities and interventions that address the issues that youth present in the five domains (individual, family, peers, school/employment and community) of their lives using a positive youth development approach.
• Develop collaborative relationships with youth's family/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
• Facilitate access to community resources and specialized services when required by youth and their families/caregivers to ensure they receive services that are integrated, timely and meet their identified needs. Include formal and informal support systems as an integral part of all work with youth and their families.
• Participate in Integrated Case Management planning processes, function as the key worker for youth on a team of professionals when required, and provide ongoing coordination of services to youth and their families/caregivers. Work closely with Ministry personnel to ensure the safety and well being of youth served, and that case management objectives are met.
• Provide intensive goal-focused support and supervision services to youth who are subject to a Youth Court Order that will assist them to achieve their goals and make safer choices, support their integration and normative functioning in the community and target their criminogenic characteristics – consistent with the case management objectives developed by the supervising probation officer.
• Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of Youth Court Orders, and Extra Judicial Sanctions including reparative conditions and completion of Community Service Work hours. Perform curfew checks as required, and report all known instances of non-compliance to the supervising probation officers.
• Assist youth to meet the goals identified in their Youth Agreements. These may include, but are not limited to: locating and maintaining safe and stable housing, accessing financial, educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities, developing adult competencies and strengthening their connections to the community and resources.
• Teach youth the life skills they require to make their transition to living independently as successful as possible. Work with youth individually, and in groups when appropriate to develop effective communication, problem solving, conflict management, personal care, and money management skills. Provide emotional support and encouragement to youth in making safer choices, and using their strengths and abilities to manage difficult situations.
• Support youth's family/caregivers individually or through facilitation of educational groups. Provide advice, assistance, mediation and crisis intervention services to families/caregivers when required.
• Develop strategies that are effective in connecting youth who are at risk of homelessness, or are already homeless, or are experiencing other significant challenges in their lives, to the supports and services they require.
• Respond to critical incidents and implement crisis intervention strategies that address the specific health and safety issues of those involved, and inform the manager when such situations arise.
• Establish strong connections to the community, including maintaining close working relationships with all formal and informal service providers.
• Maintain necessary program participant and program reports and statistics. Ensure that all records, reports and documentation pertaining to service delivery are accurate, complete and in compliance with PLEA's policies and procedures.
• Protect and uphold confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What You Will Bring:

• Strong interpersonal communication, facilitation and conflict management skills, including a demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive written reports.
• Demonstrated proficiency in teaching others and an ability to work collaboratively with families/caregivers and networks that provide support to youth.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others and implement effective behavior management strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop supportive relationships with youth and their families/caregivers who may be reluctant to engage.
• Ability to facilitate a group and work through difficult group processes effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team with other program staff, community professionals and other collaterals; use good judgment and manage conflicts constructively.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and facilitate groups designed to teach a wide variety of participants personal, family and vocational skills.
• Strong organizational, time and general management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make sound decisions and be held accountable for results.
• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive and understanding of individuals' social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty and lifestyle.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.
• Knowledge of theory, principles and best practices with respect to providing services to youth who are high risk, and their families/caregivers.
• Knowledge of relevant Criminal Justice Legislation and policies, the role of Youth Court, Child Welfare Legislation and policies including the
  Child, Family and Community Service Act; and applicable government legislation, regulations and accreditation standards.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.

PLEA Benefits and Perks

• Eligibility to enroll in health/welfare benefits on the first day of the month following the completion of the probation period, including access to the annual physical activity fund (for fitness-related items or activities) and the annual education fund (to take part in career-related courses or training events).
• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): confidential and voluntary counselling support services and wellness resources for employees and their immediate family members.
• Discounted gym membership at Club 16 Trevor Linden and She's Fit.
• Perkopolis membership: an exclusive discount program for a variety of products and services (clothes, furniture, dining, auto, events, etc.)
• Agency-Sponsored Social Events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days).

PLEA offers the Municipal Pension Plan to eligible employees as per the plan's criteria.

Minimum Requirements:

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
• Must possess a valid Basic First Aid certificate (formerly OFA Level 1) or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
• Must have access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 or 7N B.C. Driver's License and suitable driver's abstract/claims history.
• Documentation that the applicant is legally authorized to work on an ongoing basis in Canada.

Note: PLEA conducts primary source verification of applicant's credentials including education, training, work history, and licensure.