Youth Worker - Across Agency Relief (Home Base, Connections, SHINE, HOPE)

360°kids is in need of Relief Youth Workers in various programs that will provide client centered, hands on support to youth in a drop-in, emergency shelter or SHINE environments. The Youth Workers will work with the youth to assess their immediate needs, provide support to the residents, maintain order and assist the residents in achieving success in transitioning to securing housing.

Location: Various locations across York Region

Reports To: Program Team Lead

Direct accountabilities include:

1. Provide youth with a safe place to stay and basic needs (food, bedding, and hygiene) while they emerge from crisis.
2. Respond to immediate needs, provide supports, and resolve conflicts.
3. Follow up with youth regarding their case plan, goals, and activities, and make referrals or do warm transfers as required.
4. Responsible for creating and maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for Youth in care.
5. Provide ongoing life skills (where applicable), support, and mentoring.
6. Complete daily documentation, including case notes and daily statistics.
7. Work with youth to assess their housing needs and help them look for housing.
8. Make appropriate referrals to internal programs and/or external partners.
9. Provide youth with encouragement and help connect them to supports that will help them address challenges in their lives.
10. Provide ongoing daily support, assistance, and encouragement to break the cycles of poverty and homelessness.
11. Other duties as assigned.

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 two years’ experience working with “at-risk” or street involved youth.

The ideal candidate will possess:

1. Extensive knowledge of working with youth, including understanding of harm reduction principles and trauma informed care.
2. Demonstrated client focused counselling skills and role modelling.
3. Excellent communication skills and the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach, taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client.
4. Exceptional interpersonal skills that promote positive team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
5. A broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients and professional referrals.
6. Current First Aid/CPR certification, current vulnerable sector screening (criminal background check).
7. Candidates must be flexible to work a variety of shifts including evening, weekend, and overnight shifts. Shifts will take place on-site at our Richmond Hill and Markham locations.
8. Overnight shifts are awake shifts with the ability to respond to incidents as they arise.
9. Car and valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract and $2M liability insurance is an asset.