Family Services of Greater Vancouver Looking for Directions Youth Shelter Worker at Vancouver, BC Full Time

ABOUT DIRECTIONS YOUTH SERVICES

Directions believes in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. For many youths, home is not a place of safety or belonging. We strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions is committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Directions Youth Services provides 24/7 support to assist youth under the age of 25 to connect with supports, get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues, and transition to more permanent housing. Directions runs 12+ programs inclusive of shelter and drop-in, safe houses, detox and other unique programs for youth throughout Vancouver and employs more than 220 passionate, team members.

Directions is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community.

HERE’S WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER

These salaried position will serve homeless youth aged 19 to 24 in accessing a temporary 12 bed shelter offered within Directions Youth Service Centre. This shelter will be open seven nights a week until March 31, 2022, at which point contracts will be re-negotiated, including opportunities for contract extension. This position works to promote safer, healthier alternatives, and where possible, to assist in the transition of youth from the street to residences and providing referral information where possible to clients. The position will consist of working with a variety of at-risk and homeless youth struggling with addiction, including those with intellectual, emotional/social challenges and concurrent disorders. This position reports to the Program Manager.

Hours of work: (Eight paid hours, 1-hour unpaid break) 32-hour salary per week.

Position: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:30pm-5:30am

YOUR KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

Initiate contact with all youth referred to shelter and build trusting, supportive, therapeutic relationships and assess youth eligibility to access the shelter.

Identify individual needs for youth accessing the program through intake process and provide support, encouragement, collaboration and education to clients in matters related to crisis intervention, harm reduction, conflict resolution, community resources, alcohol and drug information, and advocacy to clients and referral calls utilizing youth social work best practice.

Monitors youth in shelter, ensuring the safety and comfort of clients, by observing client behavior, document and informing supervisor and co-workers as required.

Monitors the overall safety of the Centre/ shelter through enforcing Centre guidelines by observation to detect inappropriate behavior, drug use, and contraband.

Participates in the management of emergency situations by initiating first aid, calling emergency medical services, and /or police and defusing situations.

Responsive to inter-program integrated case management plans, other service agencies and health care professionals in the implementation and revision of client service plans/ terms of service or service restrictions.

Ensures maintenance of the facility and care of clients by performing daily cleaning, outdoor clean up, minor repairs, preparation of meals, and or snacks for clients.

Performs clerical duties as required such as answering phones, filing, sorting, and entering information on data bases and monitoring email.

Maintains daily client logs, notes, documents, forms, reports, shift change and complete/enter daily statistical information.

Actively participate in staff meetings, performance development, and continuing education and/or agency initiatives.

Ensure adherence to all program and agency policies and procedures, and accreditation standards.

WHAT YOU BRING

Education and Experience:
Two years’ post-secondary course/diploma in social work or youth care/certificate in related field

Food Safe Certification and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training an asset

Minimum 2 years’ experience working with youth, preferably in support of homeless/marginalized youth

A combination of education and experience may be considered

Knowledge/Abilities:
Knowledge of the systemic issues that affect low income and marginalized youth

Knowledge of substance misuse, adolescent development and the problems encountered by chemically dependent individuals; basic understanding of behavioral management

Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients

Ability to communicate proficiently both verbally and in writing, and basic computer literacy

Ability to work independently and a part of a team

Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Directions Youth Services offers purposeful careers, serving the most vulnerable members of our community. This role offers you the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community.

We support career development and training for staff to reach their potential, and offer mentorship and professional advancement in a supportive environment. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, wellness and a safe, inclusive and welcoming workplace that values diversity and respect for all.

FSGV provides a comprehensive compensation package, with pension and generous extended health benefits for our regular staff.

Benefits:
Flexible scheduling

Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time) and growing to more +

Possibility of remote work/ hybrid work (ie 2 days in office and 3 days work from home)

Three (3) paid household leave days a year

One paid Wellness Day a year

Paid sick pay (if applicable)

A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time)

Health and Welfare benefits (if applicable):
Generous group health/dental benefits after 3 months.

Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need

Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)

Employee Assistance Plan

Long Term Disability Plan

Group Life Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

Pension:
Pension plan enrollment after 12 months

Salary/Pay Grade: GS6, Step 1 – $35,626.24 per year with a competitive benefits & pension package

Start Date: ASAP

Location: 1138 Burrard St Vancouver BC

Post End Date: Open till positions is filled

HOW TO APPLY

If this describes you, please submit your application to us through our website.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest.

FSGV is committed to the principles of diversity. We encourage applications from qualified people of all genders expressions and identities, sexual orientations, visible minorities, Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities.

If you require a disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email your resume and cover letter (indicating the competition number # 15-22 in email subject line) outlining your interest and relevant experience to your contact information to careers@fsgv.ca for follow-up.

**if you are an internal candidate, please indicate “Internal Candidate” in the Comments section at the bottom of the online application**