Youth Support Worker

Traverse Program, Chilliwack
Regular Full Time |  Grid 13 ($30.86 - $32.18/hour)  |  Reporting to: Team Lead, Traverse YSWs

Pacific Community Resources Society is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities. Persons who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact our HR department at hr@pcrs.ca. Personal information will be kept confidential.

Opportunity

Traverse is a program located in Chilliwack, BC, that provides bed-based treatment for youth (13-18) whose lives have been impacted by substance use. Traverse is a recreation-based program using a therapeutic approach focusing on trauma-informed practice to provide treatment and basic care, service planning and therapeutic recreation to respond to the emotional and practical needs of youth. This is an opportunity to work as a youth support worker within a larger multi-disciplinary team comprised of clinical counsellors, youth support workers, recreation workers, kitchen team, housekeeping and the intake and transition team.

Responsibilities

• Work within a flexible work schedule and work the meet the operational requirements of a 24 hr, continuous intake, bed-based program.
• Support the day to day needs of participants and daily activities of the program, including the emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental needs of participants, in group and 1-1 settings.
• Support youth with emotional regulation and coping skills
• De-escalate crisis and facilitate conflict resolution
• Facilitate, co-facilitate, and support group-based programming with a focus on substance use, relevant mental health skills, life skills and recreation programming.
• Encourage, motivate and involve participants in all program activities and adapt groups to fit individual needs
• Participate alongside participants in programming and be a healthy role model by incorporating Traverse program agreements into your practice
• Support youth with exploring and experiencing diverse cultures and spiritualities
• Completing and managing daily documentation such as case notes, critical incident reports, care team updates, trip planning, group outlines and programming calendars. 
• Respond to challenging behaviors and situations with trauma informed practices, using a non-judgmental professional approach with appropriate boundaries and kindness.
• Set and maintain values-based boundaries
• Dispense medication in accordance with medical direction
• Collaborative treatment team planning for your caseload of key youth
• Create an atmosphere of inclusivity, acceptance, support and confidence
• Communicate effectively with coworkers and staff, and participate in team efforts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated discipline plus one years’ direct experience or Child and Youth Care Diploma, Child and Youth Justice Diploma, Community Social Services Diploma plus two years’ experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
• Knowledge and understanding of addictions, mental health, youth-work and trauma-informed practices.
• Class 5 Driver’s license

Additional Assets

• Practiced understanding of cultural awareness and sensitivity when working with people from all genders, cultures and identities.
• Self-awareness of personal biases, personal signs of burnout, and self-care practices
• Experience working with and delivering recreation programs for individuals with various abilities.
• Experience working in a bed-based setting and an understanding of policy and procedure in such setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with youth with behavioural, social, emotional and mental health challenges
• Effective computer skills and ability to use databases and Microsoft office suite.
• Criminal Record Check including the vulnerable sector.
• Tuberculosis and medical clearance
• Current standard first aid certificate
• Business use insurance
• Use of own vehicle required (Mileage is paid)

About PCRS

Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) is a large not-for-profit agency that serves some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from Vancouver to Hope. We work with youth and vulnerable adults in the areas of education, employment, housing, substance use and mental health, and youth and family support services. We are CARF Accredited and a Certified Living Wage Employer.

We are grateful to operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷm əθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qw'?ntl'en (Kwantlen), se’mya’me (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen), q̓ic̓əy (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Coquitlam), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), máthxwi (Matsqui) and Stó:lō Nations.

Our Vision     Everyone thriving in strong, healthy communities!

Our Mission   To inspire healthy and inclusive communities through leadership and collaboration.

Our Values    Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, Empowerment, Service Excellence, Stewardship, Well-being

We Offer Our Staff

• Equitable Base Pay – we are a Certified Living Wage Employer
• Generous paid vacation time, personal time, sick time; additional paid time off for life events
• Additional paid holidays, ex. Easter Monday, Boxing Day *
• Extended health, prescription, dental & vision care plan, with 100% Employer-Paid Premiums*
• Disability and Life Insurance Coverage *
• Employee & Family Assistance Program including preventative health & counselling *
• Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan with generous employer contributions *
• Flexible schedules and earned time off program *
• Full-day agency orientation and extensive training, with regular ongoing performance evaluations
• In-house digital and classroom learning opportunities; staff funding for professional development *
• Opportunities to use your voice & participate in committees on policy, wellness, safety, EDI, etc.

* Eligibility will vary depending on terms and role requirements – details for this posting will be provided on request.