YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces. YouthLink works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.
We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, and racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and will embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.
Relief Residential Counsellor & Shelter Youth Worker
Casual
Non-Bargaining Unit position
1 Year Contract
Your Role
Relief Shelter Youth Worker:
The Youth Worker is responsible for providing direct, quality care and supervision to residents of the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP) as well as the day to day operations. Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focused on the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents. Staff will be expected to practice within a framework that is a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.
- Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate. Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to housing program rules and expectations. Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake Provides direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP and support youth with daily routines.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of the residents by working collaboratively to address and follow-up with regards to crisis management. Work safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual
- Maintain the cleanliness and order of the program area. Assist and maintain the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping work space tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for food service, clean up and ensure all supplies are readily available. Keep all programming areas clean and tidy, disinfecting furniture, remake resident rooms after discharge, adhere to health and safety requirements. Identify and respond to issues related to the building and mechanical systems.
- Articulate and document important information in order to communicate with team. Communicate information around team dynamics and client dynamics. Ensure safety and security of clients, guests, staff and property.
- Participates in meetings. Read minutes from meetings to familiarize oneself with changes, updates and directions to program. Participate in all mandatory professional training provided by the Agency.
Relief Residential Counsellor:
This position is responsible for the daily care and therapeutic treatment of 9 adolescent young women with varying degrees of mental health disorders. This position also provides direct care as well as administrative and household functions of the residence.
- Provides daily and household functioning routines, such as hygiene, attendance at school, work, medical, therapy appointments, shopping, menu planning and preparation, daily chores and settling in routines.
- Manages specialized treatment plans for nine residents to develop self-esteem. Provides individualized routines to address resident health care, promotes individual beliefs and values and provides on-going support to residents. Provides, dispenses and documents medications. Assists with emergency services, such as accompanying residents to the hospital. Monitors substance use and promotes safer sex practices. Promotes acceptance of disability or impairment.
- Maintains therapeutic milieu by providing a home like atmosphere within the residence: crisis management, role modeling, and navigating peer dynamics, building self-esteem and creating a safe and positive environment.
- Writes reports and other administrative tasks: serious occurrence and incident reports, daily logs, medical logs, missing person, etc. Orients new residents. Works with student placements.
- Maintains the residence, including cleaning, maintenance tasks, garage removal, snow removal, fire drills and fire safety checks and other routine tasks associated with the care of the residence.
- Provides school support, including contact with TDSB staff, supervises homework, attends parent-teacher interviews. Researches and connects residents with school programs and tutoring and assists with applications, e.g. OSAP.
- Provides job and volunteer placement support for residents, including writing resumes and letters, role playing interviews, connecting with job resources and problem solving with employers and co-workers.
- Plans and facilitates therapeutic evening and weekend programs, such as sports activities, life skills, outings, games and other activities.
- Communicates with service providers, including doctors and therapists, recreational workers, teachers and counselors, clergy, lawyers, case workers and governmental service providers.
- Provides family support through in-person and phone contact with parents, informal counseling, treatment updates and recommending services and supports.
- Actively contributes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan.
- Takes all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect his or her own health and safety and that of co-workers by complying and demonstrating knowledge of the policies, procedures and safe practices established by YouthLink.
Equity, Diversity and Belonging:
Proactively stays updated on best practices as it relates Equity, Diversity and Belonging. Works collaboratively with ABR Committee and Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion and Community to embed best practices into all operational goals and processes.
Supports Organization’s Strategy:
Actively contributes to the organization’s Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall plan.
What You Bring
Education:
- Preference will be given to applicants with a Degree / Diploma in Child and Youth Worker, Diploma in Social Services Worker
- Applicants with a Degree/ Diploma, or educational credentials in progress, in a related field with a combination of directly related experience will be considered.
Experience:
- Preferred experience includes working experience or placement experience as a front-line worker in a social services setting.
- Experience working with marginalized youth from a strength-based approach.
Skills:
- Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, including lifting, bending and prolonged standing as well as the ability to be trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute)/SMG techniques.
- Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a staff team that provides for young women’s diverse needs and experience, including knowledge of diversity, inclusiveness and anti-oppressive practices and issues.
- Ability to read and familiarize oneself with daily shift notes and write notes for shift change.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
- Proficiency with computers and data entry.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities.
- Effective interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to learn about professional networks and gain knowledge of relevant community resources
- Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in conflictual and stressful situations
- Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to resolve issues with supervisors and co-workers in a manner that is respectful and cooperative in accordance with the agency culture and philosophy
- Demonstrated skill in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion practices, and specifically using an Anti-Black Racism lens.
Additional Requirements:
- Must be able to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 is required.
- Must be able to obtain appropriate medical clearances including up to date vaccinations and tuberculosis testing.
- Ability to commit to a minimum of one shift per week.
- Proficiency in French is an asset.
- Ability to work in pet-friendly shelter.
Compensation:
- $19 per hour
Work Location:
- YouthLink Youth Transitional Housing Shelter – 747 Warden Ave, Scarborough.
- YouthLink Residential Program – Guild wood Area
Reports to:
- Manager, Live-In Treatment Residence
- Senior Manager, Youth Transitional Housing Shelter Program
How to Apply
- Submit application to shelterposting@youthlink.ca –Please quote posting #1339 in the subject line.
- As an organization committed to equity and justice in our community, we believe lived experience and knowledge of equity, diversity, belonging and anti-Black racism is a critical component in our recruitment process. If you have a disability and require accessibility accommodations with the application process, please contact accessibility@youthlink.ca.
- Application Open Until Filled.