Youth Care Worker (2 Positions)

Who We Are

For more than 130 years The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a worldwide Christian church each year we help more than 2 million people providing necessities such as food clothing and shelter. In addition we support people experiencing unemployment addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission vision and values of hope service dignity and stewardship. As a faith and valuesbased organization we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:

The Youth Care Worker provides supervision of residents and maintains the safety and security of the facility and everyone living in it. They support the team and ensure operations are efficient safe and secure. The Youth Care Worker shall ensure residents safety while interacting in a positive supportive manner. They will be involved with youth in the establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic relationship and the care plan process with the goal of facilitating the youths return to a community setting.

Accountabilities:

Resident Care and Support:

• Actively supervises residents in the facility and in the community as required in a lawful safe and expedient manner.

• Monitors the activities of the youth and maintain availability for personal practical and moral support.

• Develops and maintains a strong therapeutic relationship with youth that facilitates effective intervention.

• Plans implements monitors and participates in group activities including lifeskills training modules and social recreational programming.

• Engages in all aspects of programming including sports and recreational activities (eg. Swimming basketball soccer hiking cleaning crafts etc.)

• Utilizes the environment (milieu) in assessing teaching and supporting residents around issues such as problemsolving and conflict resolution.

• Adopts ageappropriate parental role with the youth in the areas of basic daily living skills and routines a supportive and encouraging attitude and proper limit setting.

• Participates in development and implementation of case plans.

• Reports to Caseworker client progress changes and/or regression in the clients status.

• Completes duties reports and logs as per shift description.

• Deals with interpersonal relationships within Gemma House in a therapeutic manner.

• Refers clients to outside resources and counseling when needed. Encourages residents to develop family and communitybased support networks in conjunction with the Case Management Supervisor which may continue to be accessed upon discharge from Gemma House.

• Follows policies and procedures of Gemma House The Salvation Army and the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services.

Health & Safety:

• Assumes delegated responsibility for the facility when assigned.

• Maintains the safety and security needs of the residents through engagement supervision and monitoring.

• Deals with serious incidents and crisis in a safe and therapeutic manner. Communicate and enforce facility rules while maintaining discipline and safety.

• Supervises the delivery of medication and ensures residents are provided with appropriate medical attention as required.

• Maintains a high level of client care and completes duties in the facility such as housekeeping preparing and serving meals cleanliness of vehicles etc.

• Participates as an active member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.

Communication and Reporting:

• Completes all documentation in regard to client safety incident reports fire safety and other serious incidents.

• Documents daily events progress towards goals and any significant occurrences.

• Maintains strictest confidentiality regarding the residents their issues and their concerns.

Team Participation

• Participates in all team meetings.

• Presents concerns questions and issues in prescribed forums

• Works cooperatively as a team member and provides a coordinated and consistent approach to residents.

• Provides input into decisions regarding admissions and discharges from the program.

• Participates as required in the evaluation and goalsetting processes of the organization.

• Other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work setting is at Gemma House which is a Residential group home.

• Regular travel to and from scheduled and unscheduled appointments (20% travel). Travel with youth to participate in programming.

• Some unscheduled overtime maybe associated with this position.

• Works rotational shifts.

• The incumbent will/may work under the following disagreeable conditions:

  • dealing with angry and highly emotional residents and their families. May encounter verbal abuse.

  • May be required to perform emergency physical restraints on residents who present a risk of harm to themselves or others.

  • May involve bending stretching reaching and climbing

  • Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.

  • Driving program van/vehicle under stressful and less than ideal circumstances.

  • May involve sitting standing walking for long periods of time.

  • Exposure to both hot and cold outdoor environments when doing programming with youth.

  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

Education Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a formal postsecondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social Service Work and/or Childcare.

• CPR First Aid (C)NonViolent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain.

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certificate training will be provided if necessary

• Current Drivers license and driving abstract

• ASIST

• Food Handling Certificate

• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Criminal and vulnerable checks required

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• More than 1 year of prior related experience in a residential setting working with marginalized clientele.

• Experience working with youth is preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model

• Develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office internet and keyboarding

Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.

• Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.

• Strong listening written and verbal communication skills clear and simple to understand.

• Able to proactively recognize potential risks conflicts and issues respond with solutions and coaching.

• Attention to detail problem solving and analytical skills.

• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.

• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.

• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them.

• Ability and willingness to respect promote and support the mission vision and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.

• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fastpaced environment.

• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.

• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals resolve problems and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative be reliable and operate in an environment of accountability.

• Understands the dynamics of residents behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks.

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.

This is a Casual position with varying shifts being offered.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions internal equity and candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.