Job Description

Description

The Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.

Mission Statement The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Core Values The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda has four core values:

Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone's worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

Position Purpose Summary:

The Youth Care Worker provides supervision of residents and maintains the safety and security of the facility and everyone living in it. They support the team and ensure operations are efficient, safe, and secure. The Residential Worker shall ensure residents safety while interacting in a positive, supportive manner. They will be involved with youth in the establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic relationship and the care plan process with the goal of facilitating the youth's return to a community setting.

This posting is for Full-Time night positions, at 70 hours biweekly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Resident Care and Support:

• Actively supervises residents in the facility and in the community as required in a lawful, safe, and expedient manner.
• Monitors the activities of the youth and maintains availability for personal, practical, and moral support.
• Develops and maintains a strong therapeutic relationship with youth that facilitates effective intervention.
• Plans, implements, monitors, and participates in group activities, including life-skills training modules and social recreational programming.
• Engages in all aspects of programming including sports and recreational activities (eg. Swimming, basketball, soccer, hiking, cleaning, crafts, etc.)
• Utilizes the environment (milieu) in assessing, teaching, and supporting residents around issues such as problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Adopts age-appropriate "parental role" with the youth in the areas of basic daily living skills and routines, a supportive and encouraging attitude, and proper limit setting.
• Participates in development and implementation of case plans.
• Reports to Caseworker client progress, changes and/or regression in the client's status.
• Completes duties, reports, and logs as per shift description.
• Deals with interpersonal relationships within Gemma House in a therapeutic manner.
• Refers clients to outside resources and counseling when needed.
• Encourages residents to develop family and community-based support networks, in conjunction with the Case Management Supervisor, which may continue to be accessed upon discharge from Gemma House.
• Follows policies and procedures of Gemma House, The Salvation Army and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Health & Safety:

• Assumes delegated responsibility for the facility when assigned.
• Responsible to make sure health and safety requirements for licensing are kept up to date (refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher temperatures are monitored, etc.)
• Maintains the safety and security needs of the residents through engagement, supervision, and monitoring.
• Deals with serious incidents and crisis in a safe and therapeutic manner. Communicate and enforce facility rules while maintaining discipline and safety.
• Supervises the delivery of medication and ensures residents are provided with appropriate medical attention as required.
• Maintains a high level of client care and complete duties in the facility such as housekeeping, preparing, and serving meals, cleanliness of vehicles, etc.
• Participates as an active member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.

Communication and Reporting:

• Completes all documentation in regard to client safety, incident reports, fire safety and other serious incidents.
• Documents daily events, progress towards goals, and any significant occurrences.
• Maintains strictest confidentiality regarding the residents, their issues, and their concerns.

Team Participation

• Participates in all team meetings.
• Presents concerns, questions, and issues in prescribed forums
• Works co-operatively as a team member and provides a coordinated and consistent approach to residents.
• Provides input into decisions regarding admissions and discharges from the program.
• Participates as required in the evaluation and goal-setting processes of the organization.
• Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

*NOTE: You may be required to provide validated educational documentation.

Education/Certifications:

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social Service Work, and/or Childcare
• CPR First Aid (C)Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certificate - training will be provided if necessary
• Current Drivers licence and driving abstract
• ASIST
• Food Safe/Food Handling Certificate
• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Experience:

• More than 1 year of prior related experience in a residential setting working with marginalized clientele.
• Experience working with youth is preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model
• Develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office, internet, and keyboarding

PREFERRED SKILLS/CAPABILITIES:

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.
• Strong listening, written and verbal communication skills - clear and simple to understand.
• Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and coaching.
• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.
• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable and operate in an environment of accountability.
• Understands the dynamics of resident's behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks

PREFERRED SKILLS/Capabilities:

• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.
• Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.
• Attentive listening skills for the purpose of supervision, coaching, and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.

Successful candidates, prior to hiring, may be required to provide:

• Background check consent
• Vulnerable Sector check consent
• Education verification
• This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid driver's license and an acceptable drivers abstract. The successful candidate would have to provide proof upon being hired.

Work setting is at Gemma House which is a Residential group home with shift work required.

Regular travel to and from scheduled and unscheduled appointments (20% travel). Travel with youth to participate in programming.

Works rotational shifts. Ability and willingness to work flexible hours per the needs and requirements of the position. Be willing to work extra time occasionally when required to support programming requirements within the Ministry Unit.

The incumbent will/may work under the following disagreeable conditions:

• Dealing with angry and highly emotional residents and their families. May encounter verbal abuse.
• May be required to perform emergency physical restraints on residents who present a risk of harm to themselves or others.
• May involve bending, stretching, reaching, and climbing
• Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.
• Driving program van/vehicle under stressful and less than ideal circumstances.
• May involve sitting, standing, walking for long periods of time.
• Exposure to both hot and cold outdoor environments when doing programming with youth.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal Applicants, please advise your supervisor of your intentions as soon as you know your application is being considered- normally at the stage where you are being interviewed.