Contract, Youth Worker, CSS

Your primary role as a youth worker is to build trusting, supportive professional relationships with youth. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best plan of care to help youth reach their goals and transition to healthy, confident adults. Working in the Community Support Services (CSS) Program you will provide an array of ‘as-needed’ services to young people. You will support the youth with personal planning, assist with finding employment, referrals to other social services and involve the youth in recreational opportunities.

The CSS space requires a seasoned Youth Worker, one that is able to work confidently with less structure and navigate multifaceted health and substance misuse concerns.

Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, transportation

Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with at risk youth 16-24 years of age

Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, complete program intake/admission

Work collaboratively with other staff to assist youth in identifying attainable short and long-term goals, strategies for meeting these goals, and an action plan for implementation

Provide guidance and support to youth looking to better their education and employment goals

Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills

Respond confidently to emergencies and behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice

Provide Outreach support as required to assist youth to connect with Covenant House

Provide crisis intervention, including responding to overdoes/administering first aid and Naloxone that may happen within CHV premises, ongoing training will also be provided

Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required

Manage youth case files, including all relevant reporting and documentation

Attend all training as directed by your manager

Laundry as needed

Front Desk and reception duties as required

Other duties as required

Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or

Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role

Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability

First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness

Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal

Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents

Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information

Familiarity with issued related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices

Ability to work with youth experiencing complex mental health challenges

Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety

Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth

Basic computer skills

Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice

Able to lift up to 25 lbs, and kneel and squat as needed

In 2024, we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions.

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;

Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;

Persons who identify as women;

Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and

Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.