Youth Outreach and Housing Support Worker

PROGRAM: Youth Street Outreach / Acadia Youth Housing
LOCATION: 408 Seymour St., Kamloops, BC
STATUS: Permanent Full-Time
COMPENSATION: $28.32 - $32.51 per hour (Grid 12 as per collective agreement)
HOURS of WORK: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri, Day Hours with flexibility for some evenings and weekends
JOB NUMBER: 2023-113
ABOUT THE JOB
The Youth Housing and Outreach Support Worker provides services to the youth between the ages of 13-24 within the framework of the “Housing First Youth Stabilization” model to provide young people with basic needs such as shelter, food, healthcare referral support, and other time-sensitive supports.
The Support Worker works with youth facing multiple barriers including precarious housing, substance use issues, mental health challenges, sexual exploitation, legal issues, disconnection with their communities, etc. They provide case management, advocacy, life skills development, community referrals and connections, safety check-ins, early risk identification, harm reduction, crisis interventions, and other relevant day-to-day support.
The two main areas in the Support Worker's scope are:
1. Outreach services: Welcome all youth accessing outreach services, assess and respond to their immediate needs by providing practical resources including food, clothing, harm reduction supplies and education, and connection to community referrals.
2. Transitional housing services: Support youth residing in the Acadia Transitional Housing program while they transition to adulthood and independence. You will support youth to develop or increase their life skills including, budgeting, meal planning and food preparation, maintaining employment, and/or developing an education plan in collaboration with the youth and their care team.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

• Degree (Preferred) in the Human/Social Services field (BSW, BA- CYC, Psych, etc.) or Human Service Diploma
• Two (2) years of recent related experience working with youth facing multiple barriers in housing, life skill development, community inclusion, navigating the justice system, child protection, etc.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience with nationally recognized Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT) is an asset.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and ABILITIES
Demonstrated knowledge of and strong abilities to:

• Build healthy, trusting relationships with all involved parties, including the individual, colleagues, supervisors, community professionals, care teams, and family members
• Maintain a therapeutic, culturally inclusive, low-barriers, home-like atmosphere guided by trauma-informed practices, relevant research, and theories such as adolescent development, grief, and loss, attachment theory, trauma-informed care, etc.
• Respond appropriately to challenging behaviours, crisis situations, and aggression
• Support youth with substance use issues and other street-involved activities.
• Help improve upon life skills
• Reduce barriers to housing and support services
• Provide assessment and implement a variety of intervention strategies to assist youth in creating positive change
• Make effective use of technology and learn new technological tools as needed.
• Maintain professional boundaries and set clear expectations and logical/natural consequences.
• Work effectively independently and as a strong contributing member of a team
• Follow directions and implement strong critical and analytical thinking in the work, applying appropriate policies and procedures
• Manage conflict effectively, remain calm and tactful under a broad range of challenging circumstances, and adjust approach according to changing environments
• Provide clear and accurate written documentation
• Maintain the highest professional standards of ethical practice and confidentiality

REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Class 5 Driving License
• Access to a reliable vehicle insured with $5M Business Use insurance (reimbursement available)
• A safe driving record
• Following training is required and provided to the successful candidate free of charge. Existing certification is an asset: Emergency First Aid with CPR, Mandt (2 days), SafeTalk, Naloxone, MCFD Privacy, Safe Food Handling, Anti-Bullying, and Harassment.
• This job requires union membership.
• Background checks through the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and RCMP are required. (reimbursement provided)

BENEFITS

• Extended Health Care Benefits including Dental, Vision, Paramedical Services, Life Insurance, Employee & Family Assistance Program, etc. upon completion of the probationary period
• Municipal Pension Plan
• 6% vacation accrual
• Fully paid statutory holidays
• 1 day per month sick time accrual
• ¢61 /km mileage reimbursement for job-required travel using a personal vehicle
• Up to $200 annual reimbursement for the costs of increased car insurance coverage if applicable
• Wage increases with every 2000 hrs. of seniority, up until Step 4
• Fully paid training and professional development opportunities
• Community involvement and wellbeing activities
• Priority as an internal candidate for future job vacancies

If you need any accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, contact us at careers@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca. This information will be kept confidential.
ICS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, visible or invisible diverse abilities, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or, citizenship or immigration status. Where bona fide occupational requirements limit the applicant selection, the burden of proof rests with the Employer.