Youth Worker

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Manager of Abbey Ridge, the Youth Worker is responsible for providing support and guidance to young individuals, helping them navigate challenges, develop life skills, and achieve their personal goals. This role involves working closely with youth, their families, and other support networks to create a positive and nurturing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Building/Facilities:

• Fulfill cooking and cleaning responsibilities, adhering to all food safety protocols
• Contribute to the home’s organization maintenance to ensure a therapeutic milieu
• Identify the details of any damage/disrepair and report to Manager of Abbey Ridge
• Follow cleaning schedules and adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies to maintain staff and client safety and security at all times

Youth/Tenants/Programming:

• Assess and address the immediate and basic needs of the program’s youth
• Complete and maintain logs, files and records and ensure confidentiality is protected
• Engage youth in life skill development and goal planning that supports independent living: assist youth in developing practical skills for daily living, including budgeting, job readiness, academic planning, and time management
• Liaise with other agencies on behalf of youth and programs and participate in community committees, projects, or activities as appropriate; build positive relationships with the families, schools, and communities of the youth
• Form healthy relationships with youth, model healthy living and positive choices
• Facilitate and/or source a variety of programs for youth at Abbey Ridge
• Provide a supportive environment that centres youth empowerment and decisions
• Ensure that a quality, effective, and client-directed program is delivered
• Support self-administration of medications as needed
• Transport youth on occasion

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in training new staff and students and supervising placement students as requested
• Participate in both New Dawn and Abbey Ridge internal/team meetings and PD sessions
• Ensure program delivery is congruent with the ND and AR mission, vision, and philosophy
• Contribute to a collaborative and cohesive work environment
• Look for potential improvements and help implement solutions
• Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations
• Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships
• Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

• Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness
• Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, youth service and organizational skills
• Experience supervising employees, and/or students, volunteers with demonstrated leadership, supervision skills and ability to develop an effective team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs, and maintain a fairly active pace
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, government funding, and the social service delivery system an asset
• Strong understanding of facility management, security, and health and safety is an asset
• Relevant education in the social service field and/or experience working with youth
• High level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness
• Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client directed approach and a social justice perspective)
• Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs and maintain a fairly active pace
• Standard First Aid/CPR and Food Safety or commitment to secure upon hiring
• Proficiency in documentation, email and using the Internet
• Positive attitude and ability to work in a team environment

Working Conditions

• Some travel may be necessary
• Some bending and lifting is required to clean/maintain home
• Manual dexterity is required to use desktop computers and peripherals
• Some evening and weekend work may be required
• Overtime as required

The Abbey Ridge Supportive Living Program provides a safe, supervised, and supportive transitional housing option for youth who are between the ages of 16 and 27. Abbey Ridge has two locations in Glace Bay with each home servicing different age groups.

The youth in the supportive living program are at high risk of negative life outcomes due to a lack of resources and support. The program aims to overcome this barrier by assisting youth in identifying and reaching their own personal goals through support, empowerment, and advocacy. The program offers a supportive environment that fosters the development of life skills and independence.

As a team, the manager, team lead, youth workers and community housing support worker develop and implement individualized program plans for each youth that includes wrap-around care and supportive counselling. Program plans also include life skills programming to help youth build their competencies and independence as they transition into adulthood.