Job Description

About the YMCA of Southern Interior BC

For over 40 years, the YMCA of Southern Interior BC has provided inclusive, community-based wellness services to children, youth, and equity-deserving groups. Our programs support individuals in achieving their full potential through mental wellness, physical health, and social connection.

About the Take a Hike Program

Take a Hike is a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program that integrates clinical counselling, land-based experiential learning, and community engagement to support vulnerable youth. In partnership with local school districts, the program empowers youth to build resilience, graduate high school, and define success on their own terms.

Position Summary

The Take a Hike Youth Worker plays a key role in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that includes a teacher and a mental health clinician. This role supports youth in accessing classroom, community, and outdoor components of the program. The Youth Worker builds strong, trusting relationships with youth and provides individualized support to help them develop life skills, improve mental health, and transition successfully into their next educational goal.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and participate in all aspects of the program, including daily exploratory and recreational activities, weekly outdoor excursions during daytime program hours and semesterly overnight camping trips Exploratory and recreational activities can include leading indoor gymnasium or outdoor field games, exploring creative and other youth interest-initiated activities. Outdoor excursions can include visits to local recreational facilities, community youth centers, and public places of learning. Build safe, caring, and consistent relationships with youth to support engagement and personal growth Support the planning and delivery of classroom, community, and land-based learning activities. Provide direct student support with classroom work. Support classroom teacher with student Individual Education Plans (IEPs), particularly around social, emotional, and behavioral goals Facilitate life skills development, group sessions, and one-on-one support Collaborate with School Teacher, Counsellor, and Indigenous Advocate to support student needs Support gear management and logistics for outdoor programming Contribute to the maintenance of recordkeeping for program evaluation Work with team members to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming classroom environment. Promote a culture of inclusion, equity, and trauma-informed care in all interactions

Qualifications

Required:


Post-secondary education in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, Outdoor Education, or a related field Minimum 2 years of experience working with vulnerable youth in community or educational settings Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, and youth development Experience with outdoor or experiential learning environments Valid BC Driver's License and access to reliable transportation Current First Aid certification (Wilderness First Aid preferred) Ability to work scheduled hours supporting school-based program with occasional flexibility for extended outdoor excursions monthly and overnight trips semesterly

Assets:


Training or certification in outdoor skills (e.g., hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, wilderness survival) Experience working with Indigenous youth and communities Familiarity with anti-oppression, decolonization, and intersectional frameworks Mental Health First Aid or similar training Strong ability to way find and navigate community resources for student referral

Role Competencies

Youth-Centered Practice: Builds meaningful relationships and creates safe, inclusive spaces Collaboration & Communication: Works effectively within an interdisciplinary team Cultural Safety & Equity: Demonstrates awareness of systemic barriers and actively works to create equitable environments Resilience & Adaptability: Maintains composure and creativity in dynamic, outdoor, and emotionally complex settings

YMCA Commitment to Trust, Safety, and Equity

As part of a trusted charitable organization, you can expect to receive excellent services and safety training throughout your YMCA career. As the first step in your journey, you will be required to:


Provide 3 references of a professional nature (E.g., employer, supervisor, colleague, teacher, coach, etc.) Provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than six (6) months preceding your start date. The YMCA will provide applicable instructions and paperwork.

The YMCA of Southern Interior BC is an equity employer and encourages applications from all individuals who may contribute to the diversity of our workplace. This includes persons with diverse abilities, persons of colour and ethnicity, Indigenous persons (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), and people of all sexual orientations and genders.

Hours: 28-30 hours a week

Schedule: Typically

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Mon-Fri.
Occasional extended shift for meetings, trainings, or professional development opportunities. Semesterly overnight trips to be scheduled well in advance.

Application Deadline:

11:59 PM, July 22, 2025*
* Apply by July 14, 2025, for consideration to interview at our July 16 Hiring Fair, 1-6 PM.