Fulltime Youth Care Counsellor- term position until November 2026

Employment Opportunity

Fulltime Youth Care Counsellor

_ Term position until November 2026_

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12pm- 8pm & Saturday 8am- 4pm

Class 5 driver's license required

Who we are?

UNYA has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth in the Metro Vancouver area for over 30 years. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we recognize Indigenous youth as experts in their own lives and strive to provide youth with programs and opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to them.

At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shapes all of our decisions and every interaction we have with the youth we serve. Following these philosophies empowers our staff to meet youth where they are at, by giving them the ability to balance flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet our youth's needs, and ensure that our youth experience a consistent quality of care across all UNYA programs. Our 5 key philosophies are:

• Trauma-Informed Practice

• Two-Eyed Seeing

• Harm Reduction Practice

• Youth/Person Centered Practice

• Culture as Therapy

Highlights of this opportunity:

Are you passionate about empowering Indigenous youth? Do you have a knack for building positive relationships?

Are you strategic, creative, and dynamic in your approach to youth work? Does working within a fast-paced environment energize you?

If you said yes, then this is the opportunity for you

• Contribute to a team focused on increasing stabilization, belonging, and empowerment for youth.

• Be a positive role model for youth, working in cooperation with others, and positively participating in programming activities while supervising and ensuring safety during group outings.

• Work in a variety of trauma-informed healing modalities.

• Provide individual support to youth, from basic counselling to conflict resolution, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning.

• Participate in Indigenous protocols, ceremonies, and other practices.

• Support and co-facilitate workshops.

• Share responsibility for the daily operations of Young Bears Lodge, including meal planning and preparation, maintaining timely, accurate logs, case files, and reports.

Qualifications and Conditions:

1. Post-secondary education in child and youth care, preferably a degree/diploma/certificate in a related field. Preference for experience working with Indigenous youth. We recognize that formal education is not the only relevant qualification for this role, and will also consider an equivalent combination of lived and work experience, alongside training in cultural healing practices, coaching, or education.

2. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, coupled with strong crisis intervention and conflict mediation skills.

3. A strong spirit of collaboration, dependability, positivity, and a love of what you do.

4. Experience working with the Indigenous community. Must demonstrate a good working knowledge of community resources in Vancouver, particularly youth & Indigenous-specific resources.

5. Knowledge and understanding of the family and social issues that Indigenous youth face today, including the generational impacts of the residential school system on families and communities.

6. Must demonstrate the ability to identify with mandate, policies and procedures of the organization.

7. Must have a criminal record check completed by and satisfactory to UNYA.

8. Proof of Covid19 vaccination will be required

9. Given the needs of the youth accessing our programs, priority will be given to qualified Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, Inuit candidates as per section 41 of the Human Rights code.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supervised youth residents in their day-to-day living, including establishing a trusting, non-judgmental, non-exploitative rapport with youth. Actively support residents and ensure ongoing and meaningful youth engagement in all aspects of programming.

2. Work in cooperation with others (including Lodge staff, other UNYA programs and community partners) as needed to plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate individual supports, daily and weekly programming, workshops, and group outings (cultural, social, educational & recreational). Positively participate in programming and activities in order provide positive role modeling for youth.

3. In collaboration with the team, plan, develop and deliver dynamic and engaging, youth-driven and culturally-appropriate programming. Educate youth in regards to safe health practices.

4. Maintain the day-to-day operations of YBL, including shopping, meal preparation, support, cleaning, and maintenance.

5. Perform diverse administrative tasks, including: maintaining accurate logs and case files, compiling statistical records, and assisting in the completion of reports, as needed to support program needs and inform ongoing program assessment and evaluation.

What we offer:

· $29.30/per hour

· 40 hours a week

· Comprehensive Benefits package

· Vacation, Sick, and Wellness days

· Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which consists of no-cost counselling services to UNYA staff

· Support from UNYA's Elder in Residence for cultural and spiritual guidance or teachings

· Monthly Staff development

How to apply:

If you would like to become a part of this tremendous team, send a cover letter and resume indicating the position you are applying to the attention of the Hiring Manager at will close when position is filled.Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

***We are an Indigenous youth organization whose mandate is to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth. We encourage qualified Indigenous - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit, applicants to apply. If you identify as Indigenous, please let us know in your application Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNYA acknowledges that we are gathered on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and selílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured and grateful to be able to do our work on this land.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $29.30 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person