Employment Support Worker - Impact Construction

Choices for Youth Inc. (CFY) is a professional service, youth-focused, non-profit, charitable organization that creates spaces and conversations and operates programs and social enterprises to help vulnerable youth secure stable housing, employment, and education while improving health and family stability. With a focus on prevention, intervention, and support, we help youth and young families break cycles of poverty and homelessness and transition to healthy, stable, and independent lives. Our Employment, Education, and Social Enterprise (EESE) Department is seeking to hire 1 full-time Employment Support Worker (ESW) position for our Impact Construction social enterprise. This is a contractual position until March 31, 2024, with the possibility of an extension.

As Newfoundland and Labrador’s first construction social enterprise, Impact Construction provides training and employment opportunities for local youth between the ages of 16-29 in a supportive environment. In conjunction with the Training and Support teams, Impact Construction trainees gain life skills, employability skills, and knowledge of general labor, and complete up to five certifications (e.g., Fall Protection, First Aid) to further their employment journey.

The ESW of Impact Construction plays a key part in helping young people gain independence, detach from systems, and build their confidence. For many at-risk youths, barriers like education level, mental health and addiction issues, lack of work experience, or involvement with the criminal justice system can stand in the way of finding success in employment. Using strength-based and solution-focused approaches, the ESW with work with young people one-on-one to provide wrap-around support, break barriers, and build new skills, as they work towards their goals of entering competitive employment or returning to school.

The successful candidate will collaborate with the Employment Support Coordinator and Impact Construction’s Program Manager to work together to ensure effective program delivery.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Impact Construction’s Project Manager and Carpentry Supervisors to assess program participants' workplace performance, progress, and employment readiness.

• Using assessment tools as a method to help identify trainees’ barriers to education and employment (e.g., PRIME).

• Meditation of crisis/conflict situations using supportive conversations, problem-solving, and clear communication.

• Work with trainees to explore their needs, set goals, and create action plans.

• Spending time with Supervisors and Trainees on job sites, while modeling on-site safety (e.g., proper usage of PPE).

• Connecting trainees to additional resources through providing information, systems navigation, and submitting referrals.

• Using a social justice lens to advocate on behalf of participants to community employers, services, and programs to move them closer to their employment goals.

• Ability to work with young people from a person-centered, trauma-informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches.

• Transport and accompany individuals to scheduled appointments.

• Complete case note documentation and handle confidential data by CFY and funders’ standards.

• Collect related program statistics and data efficiently.

• Connect and collaborate with other ESWs to discuss solution-focused problem-solving, sharing best practices, and self-care.

• Participate in relevant professional development training.

• Represent CFY and any pre-employment training programs at recruitment fairs and community events.

• All other duties as assigned by the Employment & Support Coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, or another related Human Services field.

• Minimum two years experience managing complex caseloads.

• In-depth knowledge and experience of working with vulnerable youth, housing/homelessness, barriers to employment, mental health and substance use, trauma, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention.

• Advanced computer skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience using database systems.

• Use of own vehicle is required.

• Current Standard First Aid/CPR.

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Check.

• Versed in career assessment and exploration (asset).

• Training and experience using PRIME (asset).

WORK HOURS

The position will work 37.5 hours per week and flexibility in work hours will be required to accommodate youth and program needs and to accommodate higher work volumes and organizational requirements.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is $45,669.00 – $50,368.50 annually. Choices for Youth offers a competitive compensation package, including a health and dental program, employer-matched RRSP, and four weeks’ vacation to qualifying employees.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume explaining how you meet the criteria and using the reference ID in the subject line.

Reference ID: ESW-IC-01-2024

Deadline to Apply: January 24, 2024

Choices for Youth (CFY) strives towards a culture of inclusion and empowerment, one where there’s a sense of belonging and safety while prioritizing diversity across the organization, including in its Board of Directors composition, employment practices, staff, policies, programming, and services. CFY values lived and living experience and invites everyone interested to apply for available opportunities. CFY actively seeks applications from Indigenous Peoples; members of Black, racialized, and other equity-seeking and/or religious, cultural, and other communities; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; people with disabilities; and people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Should you require support or accommodation(s) to better enable your ability to participate in the employment or recruitment process, please let us know at any point. This information will be kept confidential.

To view all current job postings, please visit http://www.choicesforyouth.ca/join-cfy.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 3 months

Salary: $45,669.00-$50,368.50 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• DCS / DEC (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• ASIST Training (preferred)
• Standard First Aid/CPR (preferred)
• Drivers license and access to a vehicle (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-01-24