Youth worker (York Region Mobile Pop-Up)

360°kids has been a leader in the delivery of innovative support services for over 35 years as we work to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk youth and families in York Region. We are a vitally important community agency serving all of York Region. At 360°kids, we provide a unique continuum of care approach with a range of programs and services that are essential to the health and well-being of youth and that are proven strategies for helping to keep youth off the streets by providing safe housing options.

The Youth Worker York Region mobile Pop-Up(Contract role ) Project works with moderate to high-risk youth to provide client centered, hands on support for all youth accessing programs and services at the designated community spaces. The Youth Worker delivers ongoing life skills support and mentoring; including registration and daily documentation while promoting an empowering, positive, and safe environment. The Youth Worker also works to promote the programs and services throughout the Targeted area's in the community.

Direct accountabilities include:

• Provides ongoing life skills support, mentoring, and provides access to direct services to address issues youth presently face (E.g. employment, family issues, life skills, shelter, food securities, informal counselling, recreational activities, and clothing).
• Provides services and programming for youth in liaison with community staff at various locations in York Region and adhering to the community space established policies and procedures.
• Coordinates, develops, and facilitates life skills programming for clients.
• Coordinates activities and special events for youth in program.
• Engages youth with programming and builds strong therapeutic relationships. Provides informal one on one counselling to the youth in program.
• Advocates on youth’s behalf and acts as a positive role model for youth.
• Resolves conflict situations including client complaints and disputes. Listens, mediates, negotiates, and provides support and guidance to resolve issues and documents outcome.
• Consults with coworkers and placement students to share feedback and establish goals that support growth and development.
• With the Team Lead/Manager of Support Programs, creates, and implements approved strategies and plans that will result in the achievement of the program’s goals and objectives.
• Ongoing monitoring of all youth while engaged in service in accordance with 360°kids policies and procedures.
• When required, prepares the plan and shops for food and other supplies in order to provide the youth in the program with a healthy and nutritious snack/meal.
• Facilitates community collaboration with key partners and/or builds capacity for partnerships with populations such as LGBTTQ, mental health, addictions, diversity councils, faith-based assemblies, education bodies, justice panels, police, and community committees.
• Attends training workshops and relevant conferences that pertain to the role.
• Other duties as required.

Hours and location of Work: 

Regular shift work, Monday to Friday afternoons and evenings. Job duties take place in a community setting throughout York Region.

QUALIFICATIONS OR SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Post-Secondary degree/diploma in a Child/youth related field (e.g. Child and Youth, Social Service Worker, Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working with “at-risk” or street involved youth.
• Experience using a case management system or HIFIS and VI-SPDAT an asset.
• Current safe food handling certification an asset.
• Current WHMIS certification and training an asset.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training, suicide prevention training an asset.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Current vulnerable sector screening (criminal background check).
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract.
• Thorough understanding of issues pertaining to youth and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Client focused informal counselling skills with the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client.
• Must possess excellent communication skills, exceptional interpersonal skills that promote positive team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently with groups of youth and as part of a team.
• Broad knowledge of the community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients and professional referrals.

Rewarding work with an opportunity to make a positive impact in a young person's life.

Upon joining 360°kids you'll be welcomed into a fun and collaborative environment where we truly value our employees and want to see them succeed. 360°kids is an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  360°kids offer accommodation for applicants in our recruitment process, if you are contacted regarding a job opportunity please advise if you require accommodation.