Job Description

PLEA Community Services is welcoming expressions of interest for part-time, full-time and casual on-call Youth Care Workers seeking employment in the Abbotsford area. The proposed start date for these positions is to be determined. Note that this program is still in development and dependent on funding. These positions require BCGEU membership. The Youth Care Worker provides care to youth with moderate to severe behavioural challenges and assists them to live successfully in residential settings. The Youth Care Worker ensures that the youth's physical, emotional, social, educational, and medical needs are met. The Youth Care Worker assists youth to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills. Please submit a resume and cover letter referencing the competition number 2022YCWEOI. Closing date for Internal Applications: Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 4:30PM. If the position is not filled internally, it will remain open until filled. Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitors youth in residential settings and ensures their safety and well-being. Recognizes, analyses, and deals with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the youth and/or the public. Identifies and reports critical incidents to their manager. Complies with youth safety plans.

• Ensures effective communication and coordination between the Family Caregiver, internal staff, and the youth. Liaises with external stakeholders such as the school, family, and the community, where appropriate.

• Provides feedback to the youth on their behaviour, teaches coping techniques and adaptive behaviour strategies, and provides guidance and support to youth on a one-to-one and/or group basis.

• Teaches youth to relate in a socially appropriate manner through the use of daily routines and activities. Provides life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance as required by their service plans.

• Participates in various youth-focused activities in accordance with the youth’s service plan.

• Participates in the assessment, goal setting and program planning (service plan) for youth living in a residence. Documents, implements and provides input into the evaluation of the youth’s progress.

• Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to youth in accordance with established policy.

• Coordinates, schedules and accompanies youth to appointments and community outings.

• Performs residence/program maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and meal preparation.

• Maintains reports such as statistics, logbooks, and case notes on daily activities with youth.

• Assists the youth in self-administering medication in accordance with established policy.

• Protects and upholds confidentiality.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Effective interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective relationships with youth, Family Caregivers, internal staff, professionals and families.

• Effective de-escalation, crisis management and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, make sound decisions and follow service and safety plans in high pressure situations.

• Effective time management and organizational skills.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive and understanding of individuals’ social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty and lifestyle.

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.

Qualifications Education and Knowledge:

• Diploma (6o credits/two years) in a related human/social services field.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.

Training and Experience:

• One (1) year of recent related experience.

Requirements:

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.

• Satisfactory Centralized Services Hub Clearance by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

• Must possess a valid Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.

• The candidate may be required to complete a Tuberculosis Screening Test prior to the start of employment.

• Use of Personal Vehicle. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.

• A valid B.C. Driver's License (Class 5 or Class 7), and suitable driver's abstract.

• This resource will be staffed 24/7. Available shifts are as follows:

• 7:00AM to 3:00PM
• 3:00PM to 11:00PM
• 11:00PM to 7:00AM

Please include the preferred shift in your application.

• Documentation that applicant is legally approved to work in Canada.

• As a Public Service employer and to meet our funding obligations, PLEA requires successful applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date.

Note: PLEA conducts primary source verification of applicant's credentials including education, training, work history, and licensure. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.