Indigenous Support Youth Worker, Full-Time

The Program

Taproot Community Support Services (formerly WJS Canada) works to improve the lives of persons in their communities through a variety of programs and services.

Spirit of Our Youth provides Indigenous culturally-based programming in multiple home-based programs in Edmonton. The Youth Worker will be assigned to a program but may be called to work at any of the other sites during their shift to assist with duties or to provide support in urgent situations.

Through positive role-modeling and a trauma-informed approach to care our youth workers focus on supporting youth in planning for their future and in creating healthy relationships with their families & communities.

Each youth (between ages 3 to 17 years) has opportunities to access traditional Indigenous teachings cultural opportunities including sweats sharing circles smudging pipe ceremonies feasts round dances languages and access to community Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

The Position

The Indigenous Support Youth Worker is the key worker responsible for leading the day-to-day operations and cultural supports in the group home. This position involves providing culturally sensitive support and guidance to Indigenous youth residing in a group home setting. The primary objective of the role is to empower and assist these young individuals in achieving their personal emotional spiritual mental physical and educational goals while promoting their cultural identity and overall well-being.

Hours are set by the employer and are not negotiable.

One (1) Permanent full-time position with a schedule of 32 hours per week
Sunday and Monday 0800-1600
Tuesday through Thursday 1600-2300

In Your Role You Will

The Indigenous Support Youth Worker will promote and celebrate Indigenous culture traditions and values within the home environment. Facilitate culturally relevant activities workshops and events that enhance identity pride and connection to the community.

Additional Youth Worker supports of this role include:
Prepare and serve/eat meals family-style with the kids
Help kids with daily chores homework etc.
Transport youth to/from school and accompany on recreational or cultural outings and to appointments as needed.
Work with individual or groups of youth to develop living/life skills and healthy routines (assisting younger kids with bathing brushing teeth/hair dressing etc.)
Housekeeping duties such as laundry cleaning dishwashing and changing of linens as needed.
Encourage promote and enable youth to develop age-appropriate skills including: healthy individual coping problem-solving skills and cultural knowledge and experience.
Full job description available upon request.

*** Prior to confirmation of employment all applicants must provide a copy of a current Criminal Record Check and/or Government Screening Letter. These checks vary depending on province and sector and will be communicated by the Program Hiring Team.

As An Ideal Candidate You Possess

For this specialized Indigenous Support Youth Worker role we are seeking individuals with:
Cultural competence in working with other Indigenous people particularly within the Treaty 6 and 8 communities
In-depth knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture traditions and history.
Sensitivity to the needs and experiences of Indigenous youth
Knowledge/ability to speak an Indigenous language is an asset

Prior Youth Work experience working with children and youth in a group home and/or community setting
Experience supporting/teaching Indigenous children/youth is an asset
Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Social Work Child and Youth Work other human services Education Sociology or Psychology Criminology etc.

Valid Class 5 Drivers License and clean drivers abstract with 3 years of driving experience
Must be able to handle crisis situations.
First Aid/CPR Certificate
Suicide Intervention Self-Harm Awareness Crisis Intervention and Medication Administration training

What Taproot Community Support Services Does

In 2013 Spirit of our Youth became part of Taproot Community Support Services the largest privately-owned national social services company in Canada. While operating autonomously Spirit has full access to the extensive Taproot Community Support Services resources. Each day 600 dedicated Taproot employees provide a wide range of proven and innovative services to more than 1300 people in three provinces. Taproot serves many First Nation and Mtis communities in British Columbia Alberta and Ontario emphasizing cultural diversity and respect.

Spirit of Our Youth was started in 2000 out of a passion for helping Indigenous youth. From one home in Central Edmonton we have grown to operate five Group Homes as well as a Drive and Supervised Visits program.

Our Employees Enjoy

Work/life balance
Learning and career development opportunities
Competitive wages and salaries
Paid vacation and benefits for eligible employees
Matching RRSP plan for eligible employees within Alberta
Professional development opportunities and job-related training
Employee and Family Assistance Program
Long Service Milestone rewards
Employee referral bonus program

For more information on Spirit of Our Youth and Taproot Community Support Services or to apply for this position visit our website at .

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what weve identified and you think you can bring value to the role wed love to learn more about you! Please apply.

Equal-Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is unwavering. We believe that varied backgrounds and experiences fuel innovation and success. As an equal-opportunity employer we prioritize diversity equity and inclusion across all operations. Were seeking candidates passionate about contributing to our multicultural teams and enriching our workplace with their unique insights and cultural sensitivity.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.

No telephone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.