Provincial Tamil Youth Outreach Worker

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to providing accessible, equitable, and transformational health and social service choices for the well-being of Scarborough's diverse communities. We cultivate vital community services by promoting healthy lifestyles while delivering a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services programming. Our I2CARE values ensures that we, as a work community, treat all with, inclusivity, innovation, collaboration, accessibility respect and equity.

As an employer, we strive for excellence as a workplace and are committed to building a workforce that enhances our capacity to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.

We are currently looking to hire a:

Provincial Tamil Youth Outreach Worker

1 – Full Time (35 hours per week), 6 Months

Reporting To: Community Wellness & Engagement Manager

Purpose:

This position provides a range of outreach services to individuals, families and groups to enhance or maintain youth functioning in the community. This position carries responsibility for prevention, early intervention, program development and community outreach services with youth and families under the auspices of the provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Youth Needs

· To reach out to and engage at-risk youth, in accordance with the Stages of Change model, which promote assets, competencies and resiliency with the target population being Tamil Youth.

· To implement and maintain strength based and evidence based professional standards of practice within the program, and to that program service standards are in accordance with the Stages of Change model, a Positive Youth Development Framework and relevant legislation i.e., Child and Family Services Act.

· To carry out brokerage/advocacy/resourcing functions that ensure youth have access to programs, services and opportunities needed for healthy development by:

o Engaging youth to identify issues, needs, goals, aspirations, skills, abilities and services needed as well as barriers to accessing these services.

o Providing youth with general information, contacts, referrals services and support as needed to facilitate access to programs, services and opportunities i.e., recreation, housing, employment, education, health, including substance abuse, social abuse, social and emotional issues etc.

· To engage parents where possible through existing parent groups, faith communities, etc., and provide education, information on issues related to parenting, etc. as well as services available.

· To build an understanding of the needs, issues, goals, aspirations, skills and abilities of youth by developing a composite picture of neighbourhood demographics, and building on existing maps of services, programs and community assets available in the local neighbourhood.

· To conduct further environmental scans of neighbourhoods to identify and understand emerging issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build on community capacity.

· To provide services within an understanding of the context of oppression, poverty and diversity etc.

2. Community Collaboration

· To maintain, through appropriate communication and coordination, a collective working relationship with other professionals both within and outside of SCHC.

· To work collaboratively with youth, parents, SCHC staff, schools, police and youth service providers to develop effective service delivery plans that ensure that youth have access to programs, services and opportunities needed for healthy development.

· To facilitate partnerships with community agencies, businesses, government and informal community groups to offer programs using arts, culture, civic engagement, and recreation and to identify emerging issues, service gaps, and matters of interest and/or concern.

· To facilitate connections between youth and their neighbourhoods and promote awareness of the positive role of youth in the community.

· Attend meetings and events in the community that enhance SCHC's profile, ability to strengthen services, and partnerships.

· Participate in community events that gain support for our children/youth health initiatives.

3. General

· Adhere to all policies and procedures of SCHC.

· Promote the mission, vision and values of SCHC.

· Ensure work is being done in a safe, healthy, and supportive manner in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.

· Work as part of the team in developing and promoting programs.

· Support the administrative work of SCHC, including active participation in committees, work groups, and meetings.

· Identify staff development/training needs and to participate in staff development/training programs as required.

· Maintain service statistics and recording of all services as required.

· Prepare program reviews as required, and ensure that documentation and service statistics on the Outreach Record (OR) are completed in a timely manner.

· Actively participate in required Youth Outreach Program team meetings.

· Provide support and direction to placement students.

· Other duties as assigned

Educational and/or Professional Qualifications:

Degree or Diploma in Social Services, Community Development, Child and Youth Worker Diploma or equivalent. Fluency in Tamil required.

Level of Experience:

2 years of directly related experience working with youth in a community based setting.

Skills and Attributes:

· Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of service providers;

· Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of the youth community combined with previous community development experience;

· Knowledge and skill in delivering group programs and workshops.

· Experience in community engagement and knowledge of using Social Media (including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube) to reach target audiences.

· Demonstrated sensitivity and awareness of cultural, racial, economic, and social diversity issues and equity.

· Ability to speak Tamil required and personal lived experience within Scarborough or a relevant social/cultural/racial/identity group an asset.

· Excellent interpersonal, organization, and team-building skills

· Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and leadership skills

· Knowledge of computers and relevant software.

Significant Working Conditions:

The work involves dealing with youth, staff, external stakeholders, parents, and volunteers. Must handle multiple demands effectively. Physically, the Youth Outreach Worker works in multiple settings including SCHC sites, schools, community agencies, malls, and other youth locales which may/may not be wheelchair accessible. The physical requirements include: loading and lifting items up to 25 lbs, bending, sitting and walking.

· Flexibility of hours – evenings and weekend work will be required.

· Valid Driver's License to drive in Ontario and access to a vehicle an asset. Subject to a Police Reference Check.

Remuneration: $ $26.87

Band: I

Please note: All other conditions of employment are set out in the collective agreement between SCHC and SEIU.

Please apply in confidence to HR by email:

We would like to thank all applicants; only those invited to interviews will be contacted.

Note: Please quote PT-YOW in the subject line.

If you require any accommodation, please advise Human Resources. As a condition of employment all new hires must be legal to work in Canada. You will also be required to undertake a Vulnerable Sector Screening with Police Services.

SCHC values equity, inclusion and accessibility. We welcome those who have a demonstrated commitment to upholding these values and who will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or LGBTQ2S+

SCHC is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders including our clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information or use our services. We respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its associated regulations. SCHC will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $23.76-$26.87 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• Wellness program

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• youth: 2 years (preferred)

Language:

• Tamil (required)

Work Location: In person