Contract, Youth Worker, CSS

Covenant-House-International; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House Vancouver is seeking a dedicated Youth Worker for the Community Support Services Team. You will build trusting relationships with youth, coordinate assessments, referrals, and personal planning in a harm-reduction, trauma-informed framework.

The role requires frontline engagement, collaboration with staff, and handling emergencies with sensitivity. The schedule includes weekend coverage in a demanding setting; vaccination is required before start date.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting.
• Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role.
• Experience with issues facing youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess immediate needs, and provide practical resources.
• Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with at-risk youth 16-24 years old.
• Orient new youth, complete program intake/admission.
• Assist youth in identifying attainable short- and long-term goals and action plans.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Trauma-informed practice

Crisis intervention

Indigenous cultural safety

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma or degree in related social service

3+ years full-time experience in low-barrier role

Job description

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID‑19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

About Covenant House Vancouver

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at‑risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need. Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death. Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees. While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self‑awareness and self‑care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair. We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on‑boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.

The Impact the Youth Worker with the Community Support Services Team can make

Your primary role as a youth worker is to build trusting, supportive professional relationships with youth. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best plan of care to help youth reach their goals and transition to healthy, confident adults. Working in the Community Support Services (CSS) Program you will provide an array of 'as‑needed' services to young people. You will support the youth with personal planning, assist with finding employment, referrals to other social services and involve the youth in recreational opportunities. The CSS space requires a seasoned Youth Worker, one that is able to work confidently with less structure and navigate multifaceted health and substance misuse concerns.

• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, transportation
• Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with at risk youth 16-24 years of age
• Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, complete program intake/admission
• Work collaboratively with other staff to assist youth in identifying attainable short and long-term goals, strategies for meeting these goals, and an action plan for implementation
• Provide guidance and support to youth looking to better their education and employment goals
• Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills
• Respond confidently to emergencies and behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice
• Provide Outreach support as required to assist youth to connect with Covenant House
• Provide crisis intervention, including responding to overdoses/administrating first aid and Naloxone that may happen within CHV premises, ongoing training will also be provided
• Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required
• Manage youth case files, including all relevant reporting and documentation
• Attend all training as directed by your manager
• Laundry as needed
• Front Desk and reception duties as required
• Other duties as required

Compensation

The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $25.35 and $31.69 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $38.03.

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience

• Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or Minimum 3 year’s full-time working experience in a similar low barrier role
• Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• First Aid & Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal
• Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents
• Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information
• Familiarity with issues related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices
• Ability to work with youth experiencing complex mental health challenges
• Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
• Basic computer skills
• Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs, and kneel and squat as needed

Additional Position Information

The schedule is as follows: CSS Sat‑Mon 8:30a - 8:30p Breaks: Paid and on‑site

The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $25.35 and $31.69 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $38.03.

In 2024, we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions. CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to: Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities; Persons who identify as women; Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and Indigenous persons. We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver. We love what we do and try to make a difference every day.

Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. Our culture is built around absolute respect, courage, integrity, equity, and inclusivity. We create an engaging work environment where employees can thrive, resulting in the best care for the youth we serve.