Job Description

FAMILY EDUCATOR - SUMMARY

Full-Time (35 hrs/week), Benefits Included

Alternatives for Youth (AY), Hamilton

AY is looking for a compassionate, skilled Family Educator to support parents and caregivers of youth (12-25) experiencing substance use and mental health challenges. This role is perfect for someone who is grounded in recovery-oriented practice, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and believes strongly in the strength of families and the power of education.

About the Role

The Family Educator provides:

One-to-one support, counselling, and psychoeducation for parents/caregivers Group facilitation for multi-session education and skills-based programs Coaching to help families understand substance use, mental health, and family dynamics Support navigating crisis situations and accessing the right resources Strengths-based strategies that help caregivers reduce stress, improve communication, and support their youth's recovery Recovery-oriented, anti-stigma community messaging through presentations and social media
You will also contribute to AY's community presence by helping develop content and participating in outreach to reduce stigma, promote inclusion, and strengthen awareness of youth substance-use issues.

What You'll Do

Deliver individual, family, and group-based supports using evidence-informed and trauma-informed approaches Help parents build communication, boundary-setting, and coping skills Provide timely, flexible support when families are in crisis Work collaboratively with community partners, schools, and health services Maintain clear, accurate documentation Create supportive and educational content for AY social media and community events Participate in program planning, evaluation, and ongoing improvement

What You Bring

Degree or Diploma in a health or social service field Registration with a regulated professional college At least 3 years' experience supporting families in addiction and mental health settings Strong skills in counselling, group facilitation, crisis support, and working with diverse families Comfort with harm reduction, recovery-oriented practice, and trauma-informed care Clear communication skills, empathy, and the ability to build trust quickly Strong documentation and computer skills Experience with social media content creation is an asset Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle

Why Join AY?

At AY, you'll join a passionate team committed to empowering youth and supporting caregivers through compassion, skill, and evidence-informed practice. We value creativity, collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and the lived experiences families bring to their healing journey.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.90-$34.11 per hour

Experience:

Word processing: 1 year (required) Data entry: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person