Community Worker - Youth Advocate Program

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Community Worker with the Youth Advocate Program in Parks & Recreation. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
Reporting to the Manager, Youth Advocate Program, the Community Worker provides program support to the Manager as well as to the Youth Advocate team. The Community Worker is a member of the multidisciplinary Youth Advocate team and represents the program to internal and external stakeholders. The Community Worker is responsible for providing support to all youth and families referred to the program. The Community Worker is also responsible for supporting the Youth Section more broadly.
More information about the Youth Advocate Program can be found at www.halifax.ca/yap .
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Youth Advocate Program Support
Community Navigation & Parent Support

• Assist with marketing the Youth Advocate Program to youth, parents and community professionals who refer clients to the program.
• Attend community-based events to build relationships and networking opportunities.
• Book presentations representing the Youth Advocate Program to professionals and students.
• Advise the Manager about specific community norms and considerations.
• Sit on boards and committees to represent the Youth Advocate Program.
• Design and deliver parent/guardian workshops on best practices to support at-risk youth communities.
• Take the lead on putting parental and family supports / resources in place.
• Monitor and document parent/guardian participation in the program.
• Provide referrals and external support to youth and families who do not qualify for admission or who have exited the program.

Intake, Orientation, Assessment

• Support the Intake & Assessment Coordinator throughout the intake, orientation, assessment processes and exit protocols.
• Maintain regular communication with youth & families on the waitlist, providing information about external support as needed.
• Collect, research, and compile data on new trends and best practices for supporting youth.

Post Program Assessment

• Schedule and complete follow-up assessments for the Youth Advocate Program.
• Coordinates the Youth Advocate Program follow-up assessments with the Manager of Youth Advocate and the Intake & Assessment Coordinator.

Program Operation

• Coordinate the design and delivery of supplementary program initiatives and events (such as the Girls United Program).
• Apply for grants to fill program gaps and provide increased support to youth.
• Function as staff lead on supplementary program registration processes.
• Document youth behaviour and participation in supplementary program initiatives and events.

Youth Program Support
Community Navigation

• Assist with marketing other youth programs to youth, parents and community professionals who refer clients to the program.
• Schedule time to attend youth drop-in and program nights at municipal youth spaces (youth rooms & multi-service youth centres) to share youth resources and help refer youth to proper services and supports.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Two years' experience volunteering or working with at-risk youth and their families in culturally, racially diverse, and/or low-income communities.
• Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.

Technical / Job-Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Current knowledge and understanding of communities in HRM.
• Ability to coordinate community events.
• Demonstrated public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of community resources and support for at-risk youth.
• Proficiency with computer applications and related software (i.e., Microsoft and Excel).
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Security Clearance Requirements: The successful applicant will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Abuse Registry Check every two years.
Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job-specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.
COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Analytical Thinking, Communications, Networking/Relationship Building, Teamwork & Cooperation, Risk Management, Organization & Planning.
WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (Core hours 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) with work outside normal hours occasionally required to complete tasks and meet deadlines. May periodically require working in the evening and on weekends to assist with meetings and events.
SALARY: $29.40 per hour; Level 5 in accordance with the NSGEU 222 collective agreement.
WORK LOCATION: Sackville Acadia Centre; 636 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville, NS.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.
Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.
(position # 78609003)